Our Shared Shelf discussion

I've only just started reading, but I thought I'd start a threat for the first chapter to discuss :) I do think a chapter to chapter discussion is useful with this book!

Omg the first chapter almost mad me cry they way they treated her first two kids and that the were taken away from her from the beging is sad. I do know similar stories are still happening. Needless to say the first chapter got me hooked.

I've just finished the first chapter, and I must say I'm beyond shocked! I wasn't aware that so many children and young women are sold for sex! Does anyone know other books that cover this subject? I really need to read more about this, and I think I might've just found a subject for my bachelor thesis

I think the first-hand accounts are what gives power to this book. The author has done an excellent job of doing research on the ground and finding real people to talk to.
It's shocking and it's also so.... human

Thanks for setting up this thread-I think it would be helpful to discuss a bit at a time.

I think the contrasting situations in the first part of the chapter and in the introduction-the horrific initial story of very young women/girls kidnapped and sold into sexual slavery and their ultimate escape from this life is a good way to introduce this book. We see how desperately bad the situation is for so many girls and women, but we also see that there can be a way out, and a way to a better and more fulfilling life, for young women like Srey and Meena. While the horror can be overwhelming for the reader, the possibility of a better life encourages us to find out how the situation can be changed (and if there is something that we can do to help).

The vignette about the American private school that works to set up schooling (to try to promote education and therefore prevent some of these students from ending up enslaved/trafficked) is cautiously optimistic-showing that much good can be done by a group that cares, but there can be pitfalls and things don't always work out as hoped.

I hope the following chapters build on this combination of teaching the reader about what is going on and what can be done to improve the world for all women.

I like this idea of discussing the book chapter-by-chapter. Good thinking, Daniela!

I hope it's okay that I go back a bit to the introduction. This sentence on page xv really schocked me:

Every year, at least 2 million girls worldwide disappear because of gender discrimination.

That just seems like SO many girls, and just because they're girls! Even though this book covers some horrific stuff through the voices of the women themselves, it's not as hard for me to read as I've seen it is for other members of this group, maybe because by now I'm used to reading and hearing about really horrible stuff through talking to refugees a lot, but that one sentence really made an impact.

That is a LOT of girls.

One more thing, I'm having some trouble with this "central truth" on page 18 of the introduction:

Women are not the problem, but the solution. The plight of girls is no more a tragedy than an opportunity.

I know the authors do a lot to show to positive stories, the one where women actually come out on top on the other side, but with all the girls that are sold to slavery and die in slavery, how is that an opportunity more than a tragedy?

I might just not understand this yet, because so far I've only read two chapters. Did anyone else think about this?

Felicia said, '...The plight of girls is no more a tragedy than an opportunity...'

hello Felicia, yes, I see what you mean, it does sound strange.

I'm about half way through and the central focus of the book is showing how lone figures have made changes in terrible circumstances. The authors are calling these women 'social entrepreneurs' - women who live in and have often been subjected to horrors themselves but find the courage to get out of it and then help others to get out too.

I think the plight of girls is a tragedy and 'opportunity' is probably not the right word to explain that from great pain and horror can spring a powerful drive to build and create alternatives ...?

Ann:

Yes. I like focusing on how you can overcome this, and how this horrible thing you've endured doesn't necessarily mean the end of your life. I'm just a little sceptical toward that one sentence, especially since they call it a "central truth".

Felicia wrote: "One more thing, I'm having some trouble with this "central truth" on page 18 of the introduction:

Women are not the problem, but the solution. The plight of girls is no more a tragedy than an oppo..."

I took it by focusing on the first sentence. Women aren't the reason bad things happen to them... but they are the solution. The "how" is sentence 2.

What is the best way to make a difference? Get someone who has been a part of it. They are the ones who will be the most passionate about making a change in a place like this because they understand. So they know what needs to be done and how best to help those who have been in the same place they were.

If anything I think this is a summary that can be too short, because it can be confusing and sound harsh. That was my take on it anyway...

I think their comments in the interview with Emma help explain the central idea a lot better-- (I've only read through chapter 2 so far, so maybe there's more in the book too!)

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/119142...

Jackie wrote: "Felicia wrote: "One more thing, I'm having some trouble with this "central truth" on page 18 of the introduction:

Women are not the problem, but the solution. The plight of girls is no more a trag..."

I think you have the right answer. (:

刚开始阅读该本书，很有意义，希望越来越多人能阅读并分享

The first chapter is full of amazing information, all through my reading my stomach twisted in all directions ...
The numbers are scary!
These practices did nothing to bring, the contrary! A large majority of the population is locked while it could bring so much good to their country! This is the mess and actual cruelty.
Shimon Pères says : "Tant que les femmes n’auront pas les mêmes droits. Les pays resteront des demi-nations plutôt que des nations à part entière. Car, quand la mère n’est pas éduquée, les enfants ne sont pas éduqués."
(I am sorry for my bad english, I'm French and I do not speak it very well).

The most important part that I think that the first chapter points out is that you have to fight! I practice Judo and Jiu-Jitsu for fun. I have actually hurt my brother with what I have learned (I choked him out, which was undesirable, but then I dropped him on his head by accident) I was horrified. These women fight for their lives. I am not sure what I would do if I was in a situation similar to this. Would I struggle, would I just go along? How long could I struggle for? When would I break?

I realize that this is mostly hypothetical for me because I am a 2 meter tall, 1/8th of a ton male, living in a the U.S. but I am still horrified. Partly because I am very sure that I would break rather quickly.

The first chapter really made an impact in showing that you should never give up. But it also showed us one important fact to realize and remember - women are not only the victims, they're also the aggressors.

In my opinion, there's no easy solution for this, but we must fight against it. We can solve this problem, but it will need time, and strength, and stamina. But it will be worth it.

Felicia wrote: "One more thing, I'm having some trouble with this "central truth" on page 18 of the introduction:

Women are not the problem, but the solution. The plight of girls is no more a tragedy than an oppo..."

I was also very shocked by those sentences.

Ann wrote: "I think the first-hand accounts are what gives power to this book. The author has done an excellent job of doing research on the ground and finding real people to talk to.
It's shocking and it's a..."

You nailed it! It's human, not humane!

This book really gave me troubles reading it, because of the stories. Very important stories, but so hard to digest: Humanity of it's crueler side.