A review by eannwang
Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Sheryl WuDunn, Nicholas D. Kristof

4.0

3.5 rounded up to 4. I feel like [b:The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World|40776644|The Moment of Lift How Empowering Women Changes the World|Melinda French Gates|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1540299907l/40776644._SY75_.jpg|63472837] is the abbreviated form of this story, whereas this book really delves into the details from a documentary perspective of specific character story lines that introduce more broad statistics. Make sure to read all the trigger warnings because it contains horrific, graphic depictions of SA, rape, reproductive damage, and atrocities afflicted onto women for being women. It's not necessarily a page-turner (because you have to take pauses from learning about how terribly women are treated), but I think it's important to recognize different cultures' perspectives on gender roles and how much greater society would benefit if women were uplifted instead of disregarded or violated. Although I agree with some reviews that the tone of the book can come off as western-centric or judgmental towards different practices, the underlying message of empowering women should still be shared.