Teach a Woman to Fish: Overcoming Poverty Around the Globe

What is the best way to lift communities in developing countries out of poverty? This book is much more than just another story of an American working within a non-profit organization. What sets this book apart is the focus on empowering women to make their voices heard. Much of the book tells stories of women from Sri Lanka, Nicaragua, Honduras and Burkina Faso who work tirelessly to feed their families, provide education for their children and speak out for the rights of women. Equally inspiring is the work of the author to link US foreign aid to gender issues around the world. This book makes a compelling case for the United States to take a renewed interest in using diplomatic strategies and international aid to break the cycle of poverty through the empowerment of women. The author also offers very practical tips for US citizens to make their voices heard on this issue. Highly recommended for everyone concerned about world-wide poverty and gender issues.

Ritu Sharma has the rare gift of being able to tell her story in an engaging manner and at the same time serve her cause in a forceful and effective manner. Teach a Woman reveals all the hurdles of women worldwide without preaching. There is no guilt button.She simply gives us beautifully written stories of real people, men as well as women, striving to achieve what we all must achieve at some point, (of course, this statement reveals me as a believer in endless opportunities to learn) that man and woman are equal. That man often is physically able to overpower woman, and frequently uses this ability to take out his frustration at his own seeming ability to achieve, is not the measure of equality, and Sharma makes this truth poignantly visible.

In this day and age where stories about oppressed women fill the news, it is so refreshing to read this book which not only details the nature and cause of some of that oppression, but also provides heart-warming and uplifting stories about empowered women across the globe who are doing their part to make their communities better not just for their own families, but for the young women who will follow their example. While tangible solutions are offered, so is an explanation for why the issue is so complicated. It is a thought-provoking read. If there is an activist lurking in you, you will really enjoy this book.

This is a good book and I had to read it for a class and am debating whether or not to assign it for my own high school students. It does give a narrative of women and attempts at providing aid, but it seems to dance around a bit and does not do a good job of drilling down. It focuses a lot more on the macro issue, such as aid, with only a bit of skimming of micro issues. I want to compare this book to "Half the Sky" and in that case, it has some of the same themes, but nowhere near the amount of personal narrative and sheer information that comes from "Half the Sky."

Thought provoking. Also should be action provoking. Let's buy fair trade andPush our government to increase action and aid.

Amazing. As I'm reading this, I'm learning so much, and I want to join Ritu in helping the women of the world become secure and make the choices that are right for their families. Such a great book.

I bought this for my girlfriend, and she loved it, which meant more time for me to watch sports - highly recommend!

A FANTASTIC LOOK INTO SOMEONE MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT ISSUES WORLD-WIDE.