Half the Sky Summary

"More girls were killed in the last 50 years, precisely because they were girls, than men killed in all the wars of the twentieth century." How can humanity ignore such an alarming reality, and what can we do to change it?

1. Modern Sex Slavery is a Harsh Reality Fueled by Perceptions of Inferiority

Sex slavery is larger today, in terms of trafficked women, than the transatlantic slave trade of centuries ago. The trade victimizes women globally, often treating them as nothing more than disposable commodities. The distinction between prostitution and sex slavery is vital. While prostitution may involve economic pressure, sex slaves are physically confined and forced through violence and humiliation.

In many regions, women are stripped of their humanity to make them compliant. A young Thai girl recounted being forced to eat dog feces—a tactic aimed at breaking her spirit and ensuring submission. Brothels use mental and physical abuse to keep victims trapped. This dehumanization stems from long-standing cultural beliefs. For example, in India, traffickers are implicitly supported to "protect" virtuous middle-class girls by exploiting rural or Nepalese peasant women instead.

Sex slavery is often overlooked in border control practices because women forced into this industry are not seen as equal humans. Officers focus on stopping terrorism and illegal goods, turning a blind eye to human lives being devastated. The parallels between past African slavery and modern sex trafficking highlight how entrenched inequalities remain unaddressed.

Examples

• In India, border officers let trafficked women through for the "greater good" of protecting middle-class women.
• A Thai girl's coercion through consumption of dog feces reveals how traffickers exploit humiliation.
• Millions of women globally are enslaved in brothels, deeper than their cultural dehumanization.

2. A Unified Movement Against Sex Slavery is Lacking

Movements like civil rights succeeded partly due to charismatic leaders, yet the global fight against sex slavery lacks such figures. Bold and relatable advocates, like Martin Luther King Jr., could help rally supporters. Emerging leaders like Zach Hunter, founder of Loose Change to Loosen Chains, need support to drive this critical cause forward.

Currently, opinions around prostitution divide efforts. While some endorse its regulation for consenting adults, others argue prostitution is inherently degrading. Despite these disagreements, there’s almost universal condemnation of forced prostitution. Collective action for brothel crackdowns and support services for victims could make significant strides in reducing sex slavery.

Rescuing victims is only half the battle. Many rescued women return to brothels due to drug addiction or societal shame. Srey Momm, a Cambodian woman, repeatedly went back to her brothel for methamphetamine. Empowering women requires addressing deeper societal stigmas and providing education and resources to sustain their freedom.

Examples

• Zach Hunter, as a seventh grader, initiated his campaign to fight modern slavery.
• Diverging views on prostitution hinder cohesive progress in global sex trafficking abolition.
• Programs fail when rescued victims, such as Cambodian women, relapse into their previous circumstances due to drug dependency.

3. Misogyny is Deeply Woven into Global Cultures

Violence against women is tragically more prevalent than deaths caused by war, cancer, malaria, or traffic accidents combined. Misogyny isn't only perpetuated by men—many women also sustain patriarchal norms. For example, women often manage brothels or participate in rituals like genital mutilation.

In Afghanistan, domestic abuse is pervasive, as observed in Zoya Najabi's story, who was brutalized for inadequate housework. Women themselves enforced these violent punishments. In Congo, young male soldiers rationalized their right to rape under the guise of cultural norms. Misogyny's grip stems from deep psychological and cultural grounding, making it resistant to change.

Efforts at improvement often falter when external interventions misunderstand local customs, such as the introduction of cassava crops in Nigeria, which inadvertently worsened women's financial dependence due to cultural practices of men controlling cash crops.

Examples

• Afghan woman Zoya Najabi suffered at the hands of her husband and his family for perceived disobedience.
• In Congo, young boys like Noel Rwabirinba normalized rape under militarized settings.
• A Nigerian project worsened women's economic standing due to the cultural shift in crop production.

4. Maternal Mortality Points to Neglect, Education, and Rural Health Deficits

Every day, complications in childbirth claim the lives of women, amounting to the equivalent of five plane crashes daily—a disaster hidden in plain sight. However, these deaths are preventable with simple interventions. Education is a significant factor. Providing girls with something as inexpensive as $6 school uniforms has dramatically reduced early pregnancies by encouraging girls to stay in school.

Maternal health challenges include sociological factors. For instance, Ethiopian woman Simeesh Segaye endured unbearable pain and social rejection due to untreated fistula after childbirth. This could have been avoided with better health care systems and informed community members.

Crucially, delays in accessing care result from a lack of infrastructure—public transportation, hospitals, and awareness campaigns—to ensure women can deliver safely. Increasing these resources would lead to healthier outcomes for mothers.

Examples

• Ethiopian woman Segaye faced social exile due to untreated childbirth injuries.
• Uniform distribution initiatives kept girls in schools, delaying early pregnancies and marriages.
• Rural areas with health infrastructure gaps see the direst maternal outcomes.

5. Philosophical and Religious Gaps Drive Gender Inequality

Religious beliefs heavily shape gender dynamics worldwide. Hardline interpretations exacerbate inequality, whether banning abortion in the US or perpetuating honor killings in Islamic cultures. Misogyny isn’t inherent in these religions; for example, early Islam advanced women’s rights relative to its time.

Radical differences between sacred texts (like the Bible versus the Quran) illustrate why reform varies in pace. Unlike Christian texts, the Quran is often read literally, complicating progressive reinterpretation. Islamic feminists, however, read the Quran as a historical text advocating equality, demanding a return to its progressive origins.

In balance, religious leaders beginning to support equality, recognizing women not only as mothers or daughters but integral contributors, could shift entrenched systems.

Examples

• Unsafe abortions following religious restrictions claim lives globally, such as in Sub-Saharan countries.
• Muslim feminists counter literal Quran interpretations by emphasizing progressiveness within Islamic tradition.
• Initial Islamic reforms under Muhammad were considered revolutionary for women compared to Christian norms.

6. An Equal Future Hinges on Education for Women

Empowered women lift societies across sectors. Education directly links to delayed childbirth, improved healthcare, and poverty reduction. Solutions go beyond school construction. Innovations like iodizing salt to prevent developmental delays or providing unhindered menstrual products can change girls’ futures.

Even subtle influences like television characters inspiring women in Brazil highlight unconventional educational impacts. These tools encourage aspirations, shift societal norms, and open opportunities for women worldwide.

Societies must support bold solutions including scholarships, wide social awareness campaigns, and tackling cultural taboos about female education at the grassroots.

Examples

• Supplying feminine hygiene pads prevented school absenteeism for girls embarrassed by leaks.
• Brazilian television correlated with women delaying childbearing to align cultural role models.
• Research linked iodine deficiencies' reversals with boosted IQ in lower socioeconomic strata.

Takeaways

1. Volunteer locally or globally to support efforts in education, healthcare, or combating trafficking.
2. Fund or advocate for practical initiatives like iodized salt, accessible healthcare, or reproductive education.
3. Challenge harmful cultural mindsets through grassroots programs and supporting local female leaders.