Turning Oppression Into Opportunity For Women Worldwide Essay

Chapter 3: Learning to Read

The third chapter of the book is titled “Learning to Read”. I took sufficient time to read the chapter as it offered commendable insights on the value of reading as a key component of education. The chapter was a constant reminder that education is often a distant dream for many women and children in many societies especially those residing in remote sections of the community (Kristof and Sheryl 28). A key issue highlighted in this section are the existing obstacles that hinder education for these minority groups. Some of these obstacles are cultural norms, poverty, and limited access to schools. More importantly, the chapter has placed emphasis on the struggles of individuals who are denied the basic right to learn in the form of education. Sadly, the hopes for these women and girls are crushed under the weight of systemic barriers. Further into the details of this chapter, an exploration of the interconnectedness between education and women’s empowerment is carried out and this especially resonated with me. Turning Oppression Into Opportunity For Women Worldwide Essay

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Looking back, this issue made me realize that education is not only an end in itself but also a catalyst for change. In view of this, it is sometimes necessary that the chains of ignorance and fostering opportunities for personal and societal advancement are broken to guarantee access to this right for the marginalized. Stories have been shared in the chapter or women who defied all odds and pursued education. Interestingly, as I read through the different sections of the text, I must admit that I felt a growing sense of responsibility to be an advocate for women’s education. This is in recognizing that this demographic is at a disadvantage when it comes to accessing the basic right to education. I must also submit that in response to the heartbreaking stories shared, there is an urgency to address the issue of education for all. I went ahead and did research on this topic and determined that there are many organizations focused on improving access to education for girls and women. Going ahead, I promised to commit to dedicate efforts to supporting initiatives that build schools, provide scholarships, and promote gender-sensitive curriculum.

Chapter 6: Microcredit and Microfranchise

I feel that reading this chapter on the role of microcredit and microfinance institutions was profitable in that it imbued in me knowledge on the pertinent issue of grassroots support. Primarily, the chapter highlighted the measures taken by women in marginalized communities who have access to these short term loans from these institutions. In many cases, these women used these funds to start small businesses and able to use the returns generated to support their families. It was impressive to read about women who, thanks to the support from microfinance and microcredit institutions, shattered the barriers that held them back, transforming their lives and those of their families. More importantly, I feel that the chapter effectively underscored the value of addressing the existing gender gap in accessing financial services (Kristof and Sheryl 156). Women in these communities evidently face significant barriers in accessing formal banking systems but the Microcredit and Microfranchise initiatives have disrupted this status quo filling up this gap. In my position, and in reaction to the findings and insights from this chapter, I seek to support and promote economic opportunities for women in need. I have taken time to research microfinance institutions and initiatives that provide financial services and training to female entrepreneurs and have learned that there is a lot of value that accrues when women and girls from marginalized communities are provided with the necessary resources such as access to financial services. Turning Oppression Into Opportunity For Women Worldwide Essay

Chapter 9: Demographic Winter

My limited understanding of the issue of gender-based violence and discrimination was brought to light upon reading this chapter. This is in the sense that reading this chapter immersed me into a world of gender violence that is unknown. Without fear, this chapter confronted the telling practices against women and young girls such as infanticide, forced marriages, and domestic abuse. I learned that in many communities, women face a flurry of social ills but their position in society efficiently limits or forces them to keep mum and endure these challenges. I am glad that I took the time to read the chapter as it has revealed the deeply ingrained cultural norms and patriarchal systems that perpetuate the types of violence highlighted and thereby shining a much-needed light on the urgent need for systemic change. The author effectively painted a stark and haunting picture of the challenges women endure across different societies with the most telling ones being those of infant girls being abandoned or killed due to the simple fact that their gender is replete with profound challenges (Kristof and Sheryl 203). What’s more, the chapter highlighted the horrors of forced marriages. Elaborating on this, women in marriage are usually stripped of their childhood and subjected to a life of oppression. I now recognize that domestic violence is a reality and a daily practice in many societies across the world. As well, the chapter also provided worrying details on the physical and emotional damage that domestic violence causes on women and society as a whole. Turning Oppression Into Opportunity For Women Worldwide Essay

Problems Identified

One of the issues identified from the chapters analyzed is the limited availability of education for women and girls. A prominent organization that has been actively working to address this problem is World Vision, a humanitarian organization with a Christian focus. World Vision is dedicated to tackling social challenges, specifically the lack of educational opportunities for women and girls in disadvantaged communities. Their belief is that education plays a crucial role in breaking the cycle of poverty. To achieve this goal, World Vision implements various initiatives, such as empowering individuals to realize their full potential. They focus on different aspects, including constructing schools, providing scholarships, and enhancing infrastructure. Additionally, the organization collaborates with local communities, local and national governments, as well as other organizations, to promote a gender-sensitive curriculum and teacher training. A second problem that emerged from is gender based violence. An organization that has been actively involved in addressing the issue is the International Justice Mission (IJM). IJM is a Christian organization dedicated on a mission to end violence and injustice and key among these is gender-based violence (Kristof and Sheryl 95). IJM holds the view that every person deserves to live free from violence and oppression and they work to rescue victims of violence such as women, young girls and children. Some of the approaches they use to achieve this includes providing aftercare services, and also advocate for legal reforms to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable. What’s more, IJM partners with local law enforcement and this includes the judiciary. Other involved parties are community leaders whose objective is to strengthen justice systems and create a culture of protection and support for survivors of gender-based violence. Research has shown that these organizations, World Vision and International Justice Mission, are actively involved in addressing issues of violence and access to education. Drawing from this, their dedicated efforts and commitment to Christian values have led them to make a significant impact in the lives of women and girls who are striving for a more just and equitable world. Turning Oppression Into Opportunity For Women Worldwide Essay

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Works Cited

Kristof, Nicholas D., and Sheryl WuDunn. Half the sky: Turning oppression into opportunity for women worldwide. Vintage, 2010.

From your reading portion of Half the Sky, write a four (4) page, MLA formatted response essay. In the first three (3) pages you will describe your reaction and response to the chapters you read. For the last one (1) page of your essay, choose any two (2) problems from your chosen chapters. Research Christian organizations that are addressing those problems. On this last page, list the organizations including a one (1) paragraph summary of each organization.

Kristof, Nicholas D. and Sheryl WuDunn. Half The Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women
Worldwide. Vintage Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0307387097. Turning Oppression Into Opportunity For Women Worldwide Essay