Educate, educate, educate.

Posted on November 2, 2009 by Michelle Truelson

I finished Half the Sky last night. It was incredibly moving and powerful. Although much of it was tough to take, I found myself unable to put it down.

I consider myself an educated, aware woman, and yet many of the stories and statistics were shocking. That "more girls have been killed in the last fifty years, precisely because they were girls, than men were killed in all the wars of the twentieth century," is unbelievable and gut wrenching.

It is mentioned in the book that often times Westerners invest too much effort in changing unjust laws and not enough in changing culture. I found this point fascinating. I am curious if the authors think that viewpoints are shifting on this point.

It was also interesting to hear the authors thoughts on "sweat shop" labor. So much energy is spent on proposing laws, picketing, boycotting, when in fact, in many countries it is actually a positive thing for workers. It not only creates jobs, but often times keeps women in a safe place and a more desirable working environment. This was one of many great examples of how we Westerners get it in our mind that we are "all knowing" and working to help, when in fact our good intentions might miss the mark a bit.

After reading Three Cups of Tea a couple of years ago, it became vividly clear to me that empowering and educating women would solve a great deal of thee problems worldwide. Half the Sky took that point to another level for me. The obvious thread to changing the horrors inflicted on women and also men is education. Educate, educate, educate.

Half the Sky made it became apparent to me that it isn't as simple as building schools — although that is an essential requirement. There are so many layers of education that need to take place. Monitoring of these schools, intimate, first-hand knowledge of cultural issues, etc., etc. The examples provided by Nicholas and Sheryl brought this home for me. I get it at such a deeper level having read this book and feel unbelievably inspired to get involved.

My family will absolutely move forward on the four steps outlined at the end of the book. And we are most excited about sponsoring a girl though Plan International. It will be wonderful for our children to be involved first-hand and play a role in communication.

This book will stay with me forever. It will continue to inspire me and I hope that it makes and stays on the New York Times' bestseller list long enough to make a huge impact.