Awakening - #MeToo and the Global Fight for Women’s Rights

I debated a lot whether to put this out so soon because I want my reading list to be balanced and not skewed to particular topics too much (Yes, I read books about gender and women’s rights a lot this year), but I finished reading this in 2 weeks-flat and still believe it’s an essential reading for everyone.

Stories and movements captured in this book allow readers to delve into a varied pool of women all over the world; from Nigeria to China, Pakistan to Brazil, Sweden to Egypt, and so on. Each story provides a deep exploration of despair and pain, resilience and dedication. Reading this crucial read forces me time and again about the injustices that women often face, just because they’re women.

I loved that the content of this book is fairly diverse, shedding light to the intersectionality that comes with our shared struggles, reinforcing the importance of solidarity and common humanity. Reading each of the chapter in inspiring and it reminded me that each one of us has a voice – even in face of oppression, and especially, as witnesses of oppression in the world we live in.

There’s a part for each one of us to play in centralizing and spotlighting the marginalized voice, and not being complicit in silencing those voices. I want to emphasize that this book isn’t exclusive to women just because it talks about women’s rights and is written by women – cause that would make us an echo chamber.

Men, pick it up too. Check your existing views, educate and unlearn where applicable and yes, justify those you stand firm. Point is, begin the discource.

Cheers!
T