Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez

2022-08-01 2 min read Sincheenz

This book is highly informative.It is a hard read as there is so much information and studies, but I still loved it. I come from a generation that often received advice to toughen up and refrain from complaining to succeed in a predominantly male-dominated world, I work in. Nobody expected me to do the man’s job or be part of this world—it was my own wanting and doing. If I pointed out its disadvantages, I might have been deemed unfit for the job.

This book has opened my eyes to the fact that, as a woman, I may have unwittingly accepted the status quo and simply carried on. It has made me realize that accepting things as they are isn’t always to our advantage, and there’s no shame in acknowledging inconveniences. Ultimately, our goal is to create a better world for future generations, and it’s important to speak up now rather than pretending that everything is fine.

I used to think I didn’t require any assistance to succeed, but I now understand that there’s no shame in seeking support if it helps me advance more rapidly or efficiently. Women possess unique biological differences from men, but this doesn’t imply they are incapable. They simply approach tasks differently, not necessarily conforming to the standards set by their male counterparts.

The author made me see the disparities in healthcare—how medical research often excludes women and how medicines in circulation rarely consider the female cycle and hormonal changes. It was also an eye-opener to read about workplace inequality regarding office designs, toilet layouts, safety equipment, and policies that have ignored women’s needs.

I found the examples of urban planning particularly interesting, highlighting how women’s daily routines and safety have been completely overlooked. Regarding technology, I was surprised I hadn’t realized earlier that many gadgets, even our smartphones, are created based on male standards.

This book has deepened my understanding and is a valuable read for both men and women.