Who Runs the World?: Unlocking the Talent and Inventiveness of Women Everywhere

by Lois Quam

“Achieving a world where women everywhere can fulfill their potential is the great unfinished work of today and the very work we must do to make progress. Lois Quam shows how we can build the future we envision for us all by supporting women and girls around the world.”— Hillary Rodham Clinton, 67th US Secretary of State

As the world struggles against escalating crisis and conflict, there's a transformative force waiting to be unlocked—the unparalleled potential of women and girls. In Who Runs the World?, author Lois Quam imagines a world where the brilliance and capabilities of women are not just recognized, but mobilized to create a brighter future for us all.

Who Runs the World? explores what happens when we unlock the immense potential of women and girls globally—by recognizing that reproductive health and rights is at the heart of women’s empowerment. Only by effectively addressing reproductive health can we unlock the untapped power of women and girls, giving global efforts the best shot at combatting major threats to survival on Earth.

Quam is CEO of Pathfinder, a global health and development nonprofit that puts decisions about women’s bodies and futures in their own hands. Her book draws on the stories of Pathfinder leaders in Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East, showcasing the organization’s revolutionary work to unlock the immense talent of the world’s women, and the obstacles that still stand in the way. Their stories paint a vivid picture of the significant impact that women and girls can have when they drive change in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, climate resilience, and economic development.

Women's empowerment isn't just an idea—it’s the key to global transformation. Who Runs the World? is a call to action for everyone who has experienced for themselves what it means to be able to choose whether and when to have children – and to be able to do it safely, with high quality health care. It is a roadmap for creating a world where everyone is free to make informed decisions about their lives and how this is the surest path to creating a better future for us all.

193 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2024

Reviews

[Alejandro Sureda · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the book Who Runs the World?: Unlocking the Talent and Inventiveness of Women Everywhere, the author Lois Quam raises the issue of maternal mortality during birth, where a large part of the women in the world do not have access to quality reproductive health, not only in Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East, but also in the United States, where it has the highest maternal mortality rate of industrialized countries, which gives us readers that something vital and significant like birth is not important for leaders in the world.
The book takes us through the stories of women who, thanks to their impressive commitment and leadership, seek ways to break the status quo of suffering from non-existent or inadequate healthcare systems.
I have no doubt that it is a necessary reading because the author "opens our eyes" to an unacceptable but avoidable situation, since she teaches us concrete solutions based on events that she has experienced.

[Steven Finkelstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Runs the World is in many ways a feminist manifesto. It’s all about the talent inherent in women and girls, some of it latent or repressed by various elements of society. This book is not at all bitter about that, though. Instead, it invites readers, regardless of their gender, to open themselves up to the possibility of celebrating women and encouraging them. That’s an admirable message, and one that is conveyed in a compelling and spirited fashion by author Lois Quam.

Reproductive rights are one of this book’s main focal points, and that is an issue that is very relevant today. Anyone who is interested in learning how to help women whose body autonomy is being threatened should definitely read it. It would be hard to imagine a book that’s more informative or one that takes a more pragmatic view of what reproductive health means and precisely why it’s important.

[Agustina Sureda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quam emphasizes that women’s empowerment isn’t just an idea; it’s the key to global transformation, and once I read that I was hooked! The author brings together stories from Pathfinder, a global health and development nonprofit, where leaders in Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East work to unlock the immense talent of women worldwide and show the difficulties that are still happening nowadays. This is a wonderful book that contains hard data and meaningful solutions that can definitely inspire readers to get involved and change the decision-making about reproductive health and rights. This reading trespasses all borders, no matter where you are and where you are coming from, you should be free to make informed decisions about your life and body. This book is an absolute must in everyone's home!

[Chico's Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Things can change in one generation."
It is a powerful book from a powerful female role model. For me, the author has an empowering message for women everywhere that they can be bigger and better than they are now. She shares some beautiful insights on social change and stories from influential women here and abroad. However, I can't entirely agree with all her insights. I understand and respect it. The stories she shared in this book are meaningful and inspiring for women and their families. The chapter "Change in One Generation" has echoed to me more than the others, as I know women who were in these situations, and they didn't have any other choice but to comply with the wishes of their families. This book has a lot of helpful information, giving women the power to speak up or do something to change their lives.

[Marina Lujan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an extraordinary book that highlights the importance of empowering the female gender in a world where its representation is still in debt. In a time marked by difficulties and challenges, Quam fervently advocates for acknowledging the crucial part women play in addressing these issues. It serves as a powerful reminder that, despite the obstacles women face worldwide, their ability to instigate change and drive innovation is limitless.

From a personal perspective, this book prompted deep reflection on the vital role women hold in today's society. It emphasized the importance of recognizing and nurturing women's potential as a key factor in creating a more just and inclusive future. "Who Runs the World?" is an undeniably valuable literary treasure that every woman should have in her library, providing significant insights and serving as an effective source of motivation.

[Almiria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Runs the World? by Pathfinder CEO Lois Quam delves into the potential and possibilities of women and girls around the world, envisioning and encouraging a world where all women can reach and fulfill their true potential. At the heart of the book is the debate around reproductive rights. The author argues that only by empowering women to have full control over their own bodies can we achieve a world of true equality. Quam draws on her extensive experience with Pathfinder International to bring stories about womens’ experiences around the world to readers, sharing their transformative experiences. Endorsed by none other than Hilary Clinton, this book is a feminist treatise that argues for womens’ rights in the field of health and reproduction, which impacts all other spheres of life.

[Saya Jacaranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really makes me hopeful and gives me a positive mindset

I can just say how amazed I am by this book. I loved it! Finally, a book that embraces women and their strength. This book really makes me hopeful and gives me a positive mindset. Maybe a world, where women are where they actually deserve to be, is possible. Women are capable and intelligent beings and this read emphasize this fact a lot. The most amazing thing about reading this was definitely the feeling of empowerment I got from it. I wish for all women to feel this way at some point of their lives. Therefore, I strongly recommend reading this book to have a more positive mindset and reach all your goals. Stop doubting yourself and believe.

[Ivan M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lois Quam is an author who wants to make a positive change in the world, by exposing the flaws and creating solutions for the problems women go through on a daily basis. It was a powerful and interesting read, as a male some of the concepts introduced in this book were new to me, but others were well known.

Overall, it was a great read for me, I support the claim of the author regarding gender inequity and especially the decision-making over their own body, which I consider fundamental for achieving real freedom. Who Runs The World is recommended for both men and women, it's written with a clear objective: Change the world for good.

[Aneley Sánchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Female empowerment.

I didn't believe it was possible to completely and absolutely match the books I read, until I found this. Lois Quam offers a not only inspiring perspective but it is enlightening and thoughtful.
Starting from reproductive rights as one of the central points, the author proposes different fields in which women can and should acquire more and more participation and we can all be part of this process.
Quam has motivating ideas that may be the key to continuing global progress. I think the best thing about this book is that although it is inevitable to think about it from certain political perspectives, it is an overcoming proposal that seeks a greater common good.

[Mia C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who Runs the World? is a powerful call to action that champions the potential of women and girls worldwide. The author points out the importance of reproductive health and rights. Through inspiring stories of Pathfinder leaders, she showcases how women are driving change across various sectors, such as healthcare and economic development. Her insights reveal the significant impact of unlocking the talent and inventiveness of women. This book is a must-read for anyone passionate about social progress and equality. It leaves you with a sense of hope and urgency to support women's empowerment as a path to global transformation.

[Santiago Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful call to action

I believe this book does an exceptional job of highlighting how critical women's empowerment is to global progress. What I liked the most was the integration of real stories from Pathfinder leaders, which painted a vivid and compelling picture of women's impact on health, agriculture, and economic development. Quam's focus on reproductive health as the cornerstone of women's empowerment is both insightful and provocative. This book made me more aware of the challenges that still exist but also filled me with hope about the possibilities for transformative change when women's potential is fully unlocked. It's a must-read for anyone passionate about creating a fairer, more sustainable world.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if?

What if women around the world would have access to Reproductive Rights as well as equal education and job opportunities as men? Would we be able to Advanced Humanity for the better? Or would our society continue to stagnate where it is right now? This is the question that is posed in the book and the author makes extremely compelling arguments on how our lives and societies could improve if we were to only help women unlock their full potential. This means that many of the ideas may be controversial, but I believe they are essential for our future.

[Melissa Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book, and it's a reminder of what women can and will always do: persevere. Lois Quam shows all the different ways women have been ignored or pushed back for being who they are, but Quam also provides us the hope that things will get better. Women will always push forward and help create a better world for everyone. I just hope that everyone realizes that women can also get the job done and it can be done together with everyone else.

[Richard Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book. My blog:

https://richardswsmith.wordpress.com/...