Invisible Women – A Review

Something about this book called out to me. This was around the time where there was a lot of protesting on Black Lives Matter and I felt I needed to learn more in regard to the history of oppression in America and uncovering the injustices females suffer.

There is still such a large divide in the workforce, at home and within society and it was important to uncover the depths of this type of injustice within this book. This book captures many imbalances within our society and we have become used to this level of bias, that it is often hidden and therefore seeping into everything we do at an unconscious level. Take for example, the items we use daily, such as the mobile phone or the way we speak to one another, being sarcastic about gender roles. There are many have underlying bias’s, the less obvious that you may not have been aware of. This book was another form of awakening for me regarding the prejudices and bias we are experiencing each day, particularly those we are not conscious to.

When I began reading this book, I felt a surge of anger when discovering the heightened levels of injustice there is when it comes to research for medicine, how doctors view females with their underlying bias and taking years for true diagnosis to be revealed. For many this comes years after tremendous pain and suffering. I also noticed how something like a mobile phone is created by the male’s interpretation of convenience and like so many leaders who are male, they do not consider the female outlook or perspective, even if the purchase is directed for females.

Another big turning point was when a senior board member at a Fortune 500 company had become pregnant, she realised how painful it was to walk from the car to her office. It was only then that more convenient car parking arrangements were implemented. As we know, when you walk in another person’s shoes, you understand their hardships. This was significant because once someone can go through the pain, the emotions and the turmoil can they consider a change to be made imminent.

As the book digressed and there were far more areas around the world where females had continued to experience chauvinism, prejudice and suffer misrepresentation and misogyny particularly within authoritative positions, it made me aware that females have always been on the back foot. Unfortunately, many are unconscious to this through daily habits and tasks. Take for example, labelling professions, we are teaching children our bias’s and they are not aware of how their reality is being formed this way.

The key things I learned within these chapters were how badly women have been treated and because many do not talk about it, many don’t know. The fact is there are stats on these very issues, some outdated. However, as we continue to see women evolve into positions of power this will take time, but what can be done now? Well I thought about the silence women have and continue to suffer, the degree of hatred sent their way when they do achieve positions of influence. Yet, when this happens, we keep growing. We keep showing up, speaking up and not for our generation, but for the next generation and their children thereafter. What I have learned is, there is no playing small, and whatever role we play, it is imperative we speak up for who we are, what we believe in and ways we can ensure this world is a fairer, equal and inclusive place to live.

This is a book every man, woman and child should read because it doesn’t just affect women and their children, it affects society and how blind we have become of the rules we have been following.

For those who would like to check out the conversation with a book club member check out this feature, click here.

The last book of the year is going to be ‘The Midnight Library’ so make sure you grab your copy and if you would like to be a part of the review, comment below and tell me why you would like to be involved! All the best, love T xx