This was a challenging book. I've had it in paperback since the summer when it was announced we would be reading this for One Book, One Campus this year. But, I couldn't make myself sit down and actually read it. So, I borrowed the audiobook version instead.

The authors have a long-standing reputation as advocates for women worldwide, and they draw upon their extensive interviews to weave together a compelling argument for raising the status of women everywhere. Specifically, they advocate for programs that effectively target women's education and health, as well as programs that make trafficking and forced prostitution unprofitable ventures. They give examples of activities that have worked and those that have failed, and use the failures as examples of what not to do. Ultimately, it comes down to grassroots work from within the cultures and countries that need it most, and not so much about laws or throwing money ignorantly at things.

This is not an easy thing to read, but now that I have read it, I want everyone to read it as well. Or at the very least, educate yourself about the conditions of women in the developing world and the people who are trying to improve them.