Invisible Women

Synopsis

Part of the Blackwell's Five Foot Bookshelf.
70 books, one life-changing collection.

View the Five Foot Bookshelf collection.

__________________________

*THE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER*

'HELL YES. This is one of those books that has the potential to change things - a monumental piece of research' Caitlin Moran

Imagine a world where...

· Your phone is too big for your hand
· Your doctor prescribes a drug that is wrong for your body
· In a car accident you are 47% more likely to be injured.

If any of that sounds familiar, chances are you're a woman.

From government policy and medical research, to technology, workplaces, and the media. Invisible Women reveals how in a world built for and by men we are systematically ignoring half of the population, often with disastrous consequences. Caroline Criado Perez brings together for the first time an impressive range of case studies, stories and new research from across the world that illustrate the hidden ways in which women are forgotten, and the profound impact this has on us all.

Discover the shocking gender bias that affects our everyday lives.

'A book that changes the way you see the world' Sunday Times

'Revelatory, frightening, hopeful' Jeanette Winterson

Summary

Chapter 1: Bias Built In

* Explains the pervasive nature of gender bias in data and algorithms, often due to male-dominated datasets and assumptions.
* Example: Facial recognition software trained on a dataset primarily of male faces misidentifies women more often.

Chapter 2: The Data Gap

* Highlights the lack of data on women, leading to inaccurate assumptions and policies.
* Example: Pregnancy data is often missing from medical records, making it difficult to track maternity care disparities.

Chapter 3: Counting Women

* Emphasizes the importance of collecting gender disaggregated data to improve understanding and decision-making.
* Example: A study found that women represented only 12% of speakers at international conferences.

Chapter 4: Designing for Everyone

* Advocates for inclusive design principles that accommodate diverse human experiences, including gender.
* Example: A ride-sharing app includes a "women-only" option for solo female riders to enhance safety.

Chapter 5: Hearing Women's Voices

* Explores the importance of amplifying women's voices in research, policymaking, and leadership.
* Example: A study found that female engineers who participated in professional development programs increased their visibility and impact.

Chapter 6: In Their Own Words

* Features firsthand accounts from women who have experienced gender bias or invisibility in various fields.
* Example: A doctor shares how gender bias in medical research has limited women's access to effective treatments.

Chapter 7: What We Can Do

* Calls for collective action to address gender bias in data and design.
* Example: The European Commission mandates that companies report gender diversity data.

Chapter 8: The Power of Inclusion

* Demonstrates the benefits of inclusive design and policies for both women and society as a whole.
* Example: Transportation systems that are designed for women also improve accessibility for everyone.

Chapter 9: Invisible People, Invisible Problems

* Highlights that the lack of data and representation for women affects not only women but also marginalized groups with intersecting identities.
* Example: Homeless women often face unique challenges due to a lack of data on their experiences.

Chapter 10: The Time Is Now

* Urges readers to take action to create a more inclusive and equitable world.
* Example: The movement for gender equality in data has gained momentum in recent years.