The Cost of Sexism: How the Economy Is Built for Men and Why We Must Reshape It

by Linda Scott

The Cost of Sexism is an urgent analysis of global gender inequality and a fervently argued case for change by a pioneer in the movement for women's economic empowerment. Drawing on decades of statistical evidence, original research and global on-the-ground experience, Linda Scott outlines a revolutionary, actionable plan to remove economic barriers against women, and in the process combat humankind's most pressing problems.

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction, Economics, Politics, Womens, Gender, Society

365 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2022

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with other reviewers that this book is very well researched and I thought it was great for what it is. It is a book that is written from a very neoliberal perspective with the overall thesis being "we need to incorporate women into the global financial system as it stands." At no point does it question whether neoliberal economics would work to improve the lives of people long-term. For example, it hails Avon, a multilevel marketing scheme, as being a saviour to black women in South Africa as it often gives them a means to have their own finances seperate from their partner. I can appreciate that this is a good short-term solution so that black women in South Africa are able to have more autonomy and financial freedom, but it's still a multilevel marketing scheme which are still overwhelming exploitative of women worldwide. When describing the upline and downline, Scott describes it as "like a family tree" rather than a pyramid.

It's entirely probable that politically I lean more to the left in terms of solutions than Linda Scott, but I think that academics who say they are feminists only to write that the solution is to reform the neoliberal market so women can do the bootstraps thing to become entrepreneurs are uninspired. Are there really no other solutions than for women to incorporate themselves into the economic system that has treated and still treats them so cruelly?

[Hestia Istiviani · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Be skeptic with tech-bros, because we should."

Nggak semua pembaca "ngeh" rekomendasi buku bertajuk "XX Books to Read Before XX" yang direkomendasikan oleh tech-bros masih didominasi oleh penulis laki-laki (lebih parah lagi: cishet white). Mungkin pembaca perempuan nggak merasa aneh sampai akhirnya mulai sadar, "Eh kok gue nggak bisa nerapin ya?"

Data yang disematkan oleh Prof. Linda Scott menyatakan bahwa Venture Capitalists (di Inggris) masih sering menggelontorkan dana untuk start-up tech yang dididirkan laki-laki.

Ketika presentasi, laki-laki kerap diberi pertanyaan, "Bagaimana caranya kamu melipatgandakan modal ini?", perempuan malah sebaliknya. "Bagaimana kamu bisa juggling with your daily routine as housewife?" Seakan-akan, perempuan nggak punya kapasitas buat running the business. Alhasil, dunia ekonomi kembali dikuasai oleh laki-laki (termasuk, tempat kerja kita sendiri~).

Prof. Linda Scott menjelaskan dalam buku setebal 304 halaman bahwa banyak sekali data yang dipublikasikan tidak memasukkan perempuan sebagai variabelnya. Padahal, dari riset yang ia lakukan di Uganda, Kenya, Afrika Selatan, dan Bangladesh menunjukkan bahwa perempuan juga punya andil yang nggak kalah penting dalam meningkatkan GDP suatu negara. Spending paling besar masih dilakukan oleh perempuan, tapi mengapa kesempatan untuk berbisnis & berpartisipasi aktif dalam roda perekonomian selalu bias gender?

The Cost of Sexism (sebelumnya berjudul The Double X Economy) menangkap banyak hal terkait cara pandang ekonomi yang "membuang" perempuan dalam aktivitasnya. Akarnya? Apalagi kalau bukan budaya patriarki yang berkelindan dengan keyakinan (agama) hingga budaya. Rasanya, melakukan pemberdayaan menjadi suatu hal yang mustahil.

Sepanjang membaca ini, sinapsis di otakku tentang gender jadi saling terkoneksi. Membuatku semakin paham mengapa pemberdayaan perempuan adalah kunci untuk kesejahteraan umat manusia.

Bukunya bagus, namun banyak trigger warning-nya. Pastikan kamu ada dalam keadaan stabil ketika membacanya ya!

TW // violence, rape, slavery, forced bride

[Clare Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meticulously researched and compelling case for why womens equality makes better economic sense for everyone.
My only critique was that it does reinforce some traditional capitalist notions (eg infinite GDP growth) and could instead address sustainability.
But the arguments and proposed policy solutions are difficult to disagree with

[Emelie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book, it was well written and easy to understand.

[Mandy Rachow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really really well researched.

[Byron Homer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is incredible. It’s insightful, truthful, and pretty much well researched - other than one part.

This book has opened my eyes a lot more on an already pretty depressing topic that a lot of women are experiencing and talking about. It has fundamentally changed my perspective on economics, and the need to get women more involved and included. As painful as this is to say, prior to this book, I subconsciously did think that the economy itself was gender-neutral and was gender inclusive when we talk about the economy. Now, however, I can’t see it this way anymore.

I don’t think whatever I can say will do this book justice. I think this is the book to go for when reading more about how the economic world is built for men and how it has excluded the interest of women since the start of time. Linda does talk a lot about culture - in countries and in work places - which always play a massive role.

I highly recommend this book. You will put this book down knowing more than you did before.

My only regret is that I wish I had tabbed pages. I guess a reread is needed.

[Ramesh Ruthrasekar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye-opening book into the world of our other half! Data based and grassroots case studies on how different cultures have systemically rigged development in favour of men by having women suppressed.

If the total women population in the world are assumed as two persons,

One owns nothing, has no access to sanitation - sanitary pads, contraceptives and toilets, denied chances of schooling by early pregnancy, likely has HIV, more children, works in a farm, cooks at home and is a slave of patriarchy. The abuse that comes along and Time poverty does not allow her to rise up

The other is allowed to study anything but finance, studies hard, but is not let to rise above a clerical job, paid less on motherhood penalty amongst others and constantly reminded how she is less in evolution than a man. She can talk eloquent, be better qualified, and can want to be an entrepreneur. She gets no ears and no opportunities.

There is an amazing insight into population control. Exceptionally researched, deep on personal experience and so much emotions understandably. The author tried for most parts to keep the tone and flow neutral. Probably the book is really one of its kind. Highly recommended

[Tutankhamun18 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book about how patriarchy changes the economy. The way in which patriarchy exploits and traps women financially via their body
autonomy, ability to purchase essentials and act as independent actors in thw world. The most fantastic thing about this is how there are parallels between all women regardless of geographical location, level of privilege ect. and how the patriarchy traps them all. Furthermore suggestions for how to make the economy more equal are made and explained.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suppose I shouldn’t be shocked at the huge injustices against women across the world that lead to the poorer economy of nations. Because men have the power, they’ve always had the power. A book that, despite the odds, shows how things could be so different.

[Melly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful book. Very enlightening on the plight of women outside of the US (and within the US). I knew very little of agricultural practices and property rights in Africa. Or even cultural norms of certain countries in their treatment of women.

I have also been guilty of some of the things the books brings up. Such as thinking of selling makeup as a way to further women's rights. That is, I would've thought this ridiculous out of context not understanding that it can be the sole way for women in parts of Africa (and other countries) to earn money or get out of abusive relationships. Or the fact that they just want something that makes them feel human and bring a small amount of joy outside of just "survival goods."

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and absolutely essential read for literally everyone. Kind of the business case of treating women equally and empowering them economically - which will result in a more sustainable, egalitarian, healthy and safe world btw.

[Teresa Wallenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would have rated it 6 stars if I could. Best book I’ve read this year. Everybody should read it to get a deeper understanding of the implications of discrimination against women on a broader economical scale!

[Guillaume · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blij dat ik dit boek gelezen heb. Gewoon al om te beseffen hoe genormaliseerd seksime is. Bv. Vrouwen kunnen niet rekenen. Niemand die daar op reageert. Vervang in die zin het woord vrouw door zwarte en je hebt een uitspraak die als kei-racistisch bestempeld wordt.

We staan gewoon niet stil bij de enorme consequenties van het onderdrukken van vrouwen voor het welzijn van ons allemaal en onze planeet. Zie in wat voor een wereld we leven met Trump, Poetin, Kim Yon-Un, Bolsonaro. De ene economisch/ecologische... crisis na de andere; altijd weer met die mannen aan de macht. Als je leest hoe vrouwen ondervertegenwoordigd zijn kun je niet anders dan beseffen dat onze samenleving gewoonweg anders moet georganiseerd worden. En een samenleving blijkt perfect maakbaar van de ene dag op de andere.

Af en toe vond ik dat het boek wat in herhaling viel. Maar uiteindelijk was dat wel nodig opdat de auteur haar punt zou kunnen bewijzen. Hierdoor heb ik het boek op het einde toch even aan de kant gelegd en de de laatste 30 blz. vervolgens iets vluchtiger gelezen.

Ik heb ook nooit enige minachtig tegenover mannen bespeurd in dit boek. Ik vond het echt wetenschappelijk geschreven.

[Nat · Rating 1 out of 5]

So disappointing. The premise of the book is supposedly about ‘reshaping’ our economy but really the author just argues in favour of integrating women into the pre-existing global economy. A totally neoliberal approach that is for some reason described as “revolutionary”.

I understand the point Linda Scott tries to make by drawing parrales between the “boardrooms” of the UK and USA, and “the slums of Asia” and (seemingly the entire continent of) “Africa”, arguing that women across the world are affected by the same patriarchal oppression, however in doing so Scott’s writing borders onto ‘White Man’s Burden’ territory. She could have articulated this point in a way that didn’t reinforce racist stereotypes and make sweeping generalisations about entire continents.

This might be an okay book for an introduction to neoliberal feminism but I honestly don’t think Scott writes anything that hasn’t already been said a million times over.

Easily the most disappointing book I���ve read this year.

[linny!! · Rating 4 out of 5]

seeeeeeehr gut geresearched und giga gut formuliert (also leicht verstaendlich, aber trotzdem präzise)
sucht halt ne loesung fuer sexismus in kapitalismus hmmmm dings ich weiss ja nicht
aber insofern kapitalismus nicht gestuerzt wird, ist das sicherlich der beste ansatz fuer dem kampf gegen sexismus hehe

[Eloise Rickard · Rating 5 out of 5]

incredible!! so many historical and cultural insights into the exclusion of women in economics that i had noooo idea and just ahhh so so good would 100% recommend. incredibly well researched including many many studies and first hand accounts from the authors own research

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really Important Work. Could have been condensed however this is the only book to talk on the topic with such knowledge and insight and offer next steps.

[Nadhita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides various statistics that strictly confirmed the bias towards women in the world of economics. Half of the examples in the book have shown that the roots of poverty in many developing countries are from patriarchy culture. While other half states about the exclusion of women in workplaces in developed countries.

I personally agreed with the author when she pointed out how welcoming women into the same level with men should be done, not just for the economic growth but for every individual. However, to be honest, I kept saying to myself while reading that there is no need for women to overpower men. Someone might be too immerse with these repetitive examples of how abusive men can be towards women might feel.

[Magda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. It infuriated me, but in a way that feels proactive and sobering. I think this a great, well-researched, well-argued read about the way women are discriminated against worldwide.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite books I've ever read on the subject of feminism and perhaps one of my favourite books ever.
My background is in Public Health and one of the first lessons we learn is delivered in this neat little sentence which goes "Fit to function, not the form" and Linda Scott understands that. I understand now why Public Health folks and folks in Economics tend to date each other.

This is a Big Girl Book, for Big Girls.

I'll start with the critiques because I can probably rant for the rest of my life about how good it is.

1. It's neoliberal-ish. Sure, I think that many radical feminists and some tankies/commies and trotskyists will look at this book with annoyance.

2. White feminism - sure, I think that she doesn't really focus on the relational dynamics of race within 'western' cultures.

3. A lack of trans inclusion. Could have elevated the book were more trans women and men included in this narrative. There's an element of gender and heteronormative myopia within the analysis, sure.




Okay, so why is this book a 5/5 stars despite these critiques?

Well, actually, its effectiveness works within the critiques.

So, I was probably more akin to a radical womanist, anarcho communist, grassroots, guerilla warfare communard before I read this book.

Linda Scott's book is neoliberal because we live in a neoliberal world. I realised after reading this book that the perspective of the leftist radical, especially the radical feminist is often rooted in an avoidance to look reality in the face.

Linda Scott says "yes, in a hypothetical world where X doesn't exist, your ideals could work as planned. However, X does exist, and so we must speak on the iteration of these ideals. The ideals must work within the confines of reality" and in a more succinct way:

"The Material Conditions of Reality Do Not Care About Your Idealism"
which is, actually, the most radical leftist position one can undertake, in my opinion.

This is a very hard pill for leftists to swallow, especially the white, suburban, middle class leftist (but who believe is poor) who actually in all reality has never had to plow fields or suck phallus to put food on the table.


You can talk about Linda Scott's neoliberalism, but she does actually talk about those women who have to do those things to survive.

In fact, the majority of her book talks about Black and Brown women outside of the "western" sphere the majority of us reading this book operate in.

Which is important. I feel so much feminist literature that is recommended to me is from the perspective of the westerners, by the perspective of a westerner, and really only about the grievances of the westerner.

Scott show cases the struggle of the women and girls in the global south.

She puts it plainly.
1. They have it worse.
2. This is how we have it better.
3. This is how we made it better.
4. This is how we can make it all better, for all women.
5. Here is how we start.


Not in a white saviour type of way (quite the opposite) either. From the beginning of humanity, to where we are now. It's a history lesson. It's a public health lesson. It's a lesson on economics.

I believe that most topics, with the finite time we have in this world, can be covered in the analogy of a meal.

So for the course of the topic of Feminism I would create the following pairing:
1. Angela Y. Davis's "Women, Race, and Class"
2. Judith Butler's "Gender Trouble"
3. Linda Scott's "The Cost of Sexism"


You will become a well-rounded individual that way, in the topic of feminism. Look, not everyone has the same interests okay? It's not perfect, and you can't account for taste. But some people are not like me. I love women and I am rabid about the female condition so I can read a million of these books, but the average joe? Nah. There's a limit. And so with this limit in place it is those three that I recommend.

Scott's book is heteronormative and cis gendered by the omission of queerness, yes - but the world is mostly straight and cis. That's the world we operate in. I myself am neither of those things but I don't need more books about the art of being a queer. Touching, and beautiful, and necessary but baby I've read plenty. Thank you!

I think we need more books about praxis and effective strategy, especially in regards to mobilising the "normies".

The simple truth of the matter is this:
Say a person who ticks every box of dogma, belief, and perspective exists and is a political candidate in the UK or the United States, or Canada, or Australia. And by some miracle we had every leftist in the country agree on that. And by another miracle we had every single leftist vote, and they voted for this Messiah of Leftism.

In this perfect, miraculous world, this complete skewed fantasy, that is so utterly in our favour, we would still fail because there are simply not enough radical leftists. There just are not enough of us. For every radical feminist you know that thinks Jill Stein is too much of a conservative, there are 20 women who just want to go to a Taylor Swift concert and have a nice engagement party and name their baby Jayden.

And so the conversation becomes - How can we operate and make the world a better place within that reality? Most people just don't really care that much.


Scott answers that question.

Scott provides the sources, the statistics, all meticulously examined, and she has the purple heart - she has years of field work experience. She's been there, lived there, studied there. The female condition is her expertise.

Read it.

[Chiara Toniolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t agree with all of the takes in this book and I think she could’ve provided more in-depth analysis of the data behind her conclusions, but it’s still a very worthwhile read.

[Camille Fabre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read "The cost of sexism" in a "feminist book" streak. This book succeeded Simone de Beauvoir "The Second Sex" and preceded "Invisible women" (Caroline Criado-Perez) and "A Room of ones own" (Virginia Woolf). It was particularly interesting to read The cost of sexism right before Invisible women, and I'll explain why in a minute. But first things first: the plot. The cost of sexism focuses, in my opinion, on two main objectives: debunking myths (women can't do math, women are irrational, women are bad with money, you name it) and proving that, if women were allowed to properly participate to the economy, it would boost GDP. Here I need to add that Linda Scott has worked with development work so her book focuses quite a lot on developing countries, where the status of women vary greatly from OECD nations.

A very interesting and convincing read, although a bit depressing given that women in some developing countries still experience great restrictions on their freedom with their body, movements, and occupation. I was really dumbstruck by some of the restrictions women still experience today in the world.

The passages about debunking myths is quite illuminating because she explains with clarity why most of the myths linked to women are just created by self-fullfilling prophecies (women are dumb anyway, so why send them to school? Women are bad with money anyway, so why be nice to them and explain to them clearly when they go to the bank?) and by structural structures created by the society they live in (if they don't have the right to open a bank account, it is harder to be able to save...). NOTE: My examples here are VERY simplified, but it's just to give you an idea, so please read the book for the nuanced version of what I write here.

Then comes all the arguments about how integrating women in the Economy has boosted GDP before (after WWII) and still is an untapped potential to boost GDP in developing countries. I write "economy" with a big E because she refers of course to the economy that makes cash and is important, not the economy of unpaid housewives (who need then to enter the Economy with a big E). For this distinction, see Invisible women which also has a very convincing chapter about how, when the time came to define GDP and what should be included in the Economy, there were talks about including unpaid work in the calculations of GDP, but they DECIDED not to include it. This part of the book is interesting, if you think that an increase in GDP is the only goal that should be met by giving women more freedom. There, I think we should try to remember that most of the examples she gives are for developing nations, where an increase in GDP helps a lot in reducing poverty and increasing standard of living for all. Let's try to remember also that, unfortunately, just like other big and important issues like the climate crisis, there is no change if you don't wave the economic argument. I think this book has been written for guys who would't understand the point of integrating women in society just for the sake of egalitarian rights between the sexes.

One of the really interesting and smart ideas in the book was the "80% Christmas" to show the economic power women have (in developed countries this time) without knowing it. The idea is that protest by strike is less effective for women, so instead she proposes that we consume less during Christmas to hurt the economy directly: given that it's mostly women who buy presents for Christmas, think what would happen if all the women would decide that they only spend 80% of what they had planed to spend in Christmas presents... Of course, women who do that need to have the economic capacity to do that, but I found the idea innovative and interesting.

Now: why is this book a good complement to "Invisible women"? Well, because The cost of sexism is about the economic consequences of excluding women, focusing on developing countries while Invisible women is about the societal cost of excluding them, focusing on developed countries. Reading both was eye opening and gave me a broad overview of how women are still excluded (more or less explicitly) in today's society, and what we can do about it.

[Mela]

Obwohl ich bereits viel zum Thema Feminismus gelesen habe, enthielt dieses Buch für mich erstaunlich viele neue Informationen. Das Hauptargument der Autorin ist, dass Volkswirtschaften enorme finanzielle Einbussen erleiden, weil Frauen vom Arbeitsmarkt ausgeschlossen, diskriminiert und Opfer von Gewalt werden und das aus einer internationalen Perspektive.

Einige Fakten fand ich besonders eindrücklich: Laut dem Copenhagen Consensus Center kostet häusliche Gewalt die Weltwirtschaft jährlich 4,4 Billionen US-Dollar – das entspricht 5,2 % des globalen BIP, also etwa so viel, wie weltweit für Primarschulbildung ausgegeben wird. In Ostafrika existiert der Brauch sogenannter „Widow Cleansers“: Männer, die mit frisch verwitweten Frauen Geschlechtsverkehr haben, um symbolisch den Geist des verstorbenen Ehemanns zu vertreiben – nur so gelten die Frauen als „rein“ genug für einen neuen Partner.

Auch das Phänomen des „Bride Kidnapping“ wird behandelt: In vielen Ländern gilt eine Frau nach einer Vergewaltigung als entehrt und kaum mehr verheiratbar, was ökonomische Folgen für ihre Familie hat – denn in vielen Regionen wird bei der Eheschliessung Geld an die Familie der Braut gezahlt. In Kirgistan etwa basiert rund ein Drittel aller Ehen auf einer Entführung.

Besonders erschreckend war auch der Blick auf Rumänien unter Ceaușescu: 1966 wurde Mutterschaft zur staatlichen Pflicht erklärt. Verhütungsmittel und Abtreibungen wurden verboten, Frauen mussten regelmässige Schwangerschaftstests machen, und Kinderlose wurden steuerlich bestraft – mit massiven gesundheitlichen, psychischen und gesellschaftlichen Folgen.

Was mir jedoch gefehlt hat, ist eine kritische Auseinandersetzung mit dem Neoliberalismus: Die Autorin feiert arbeitende Frauen und Mütter fast ausnahmslos als wirtschaftliches Potenzial, ohne die strukturellen Belastungen zu thematisieren, denen diese Frauen im Alltag ausgesetzt sind. Die „Second Shift“, wie Arlie Hochschild sie beschreibt – also die unbezahlte Care-Arbeit, die viele Frauen nach der Erwerbsarbeit noch leisten – kommt gar nicht vor (bzw. bis knapp vor Seite 200 nicht).

Leider konnte ich das Buch nicht zu Ende lesen. Es ist sehr ausführlich geschrieben, an manchen Stellen sogar langatmig. Die Autorin nimmt sich mitunter seitenlang Zeit, um frauenfeindliche Argumente zu entkräften - für die Lesenden des Buches wohl nicht ganz relevant. Dem Buch etwas mehr Zielgerichtetheit gutgetan – bei über 300 Seiten habe ich gemerkt, dass ich es nicht ganz schaffe.

[Nikkita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible read. It has left me informed, angered and inspired. In the text, Scott lays out in simple terms the major issues that exclude women from the global economy and its consequences. The writing is impassioned, while still remaining data driven. Most importantly, Scott explicitly outlines solutions for different global issues and individuals, which is unlike any other feminist text I have read. It is clear through her personal experience fighting for women’s rights and her extensive research that Linda Scott has written the most educated response to women’s exclusion in global economic literature. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to understand the fallacies in modern economics (including a breakdown of why laisser-faire economics serves only the privileged) and the relationship between gender and the global economy (including the many benefits of women’s participation in the economy!!!).

I would use this as a starting point before going on to read more location-specific or problem-specific text as this book overviews the major world wide problems, using examples specific to Scott’s personal experience in certain countries in Central Africa, South Asia, North America and Europe. It is also important to note that while this book was written in 2020 most personal examples range from 15-4 years old or are not dated. Also, Scott chooses to work within the confines of capitalism in order to keep her suggestions tangible and achievable, which I have noticed has garnered a little criticism. I personally feel that most feminist texts critique larger structures but do not give solutions on how to actually change them in the here and now, while Scott acknowledges that capitalism doesn’t work for everyone, but argues that all previous structures were patriarchal as well.

[Celia zhuang · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I can condense this 304 pages book into a sentence it would be “women play a big role in the economy”. Meticulously researched, this book has brought to light how women are still treated poorly and paid way less at work ( a global rule of thumb: a woman is worth about 65% of what a man is). The most frequent words used about a female college are hotter, sexism, tits, marrying, feminazim, slut, pregnant and many more whereas words like a mathematician, pricing, motivated, goals, Nobel, philosopher, etc are the terms that are used in connection of males.

Women's equality makes better economic sense for everyone. Having equal pay could bring the world US$160 trillion/ year (world bank estimation). Giving women ( literally HALF the POPULATION OF THE WORLD) could increase GDP, decrease violence (women who are in an abused marriage could have the power to leave their abusive husbands without worrying about not being able to provide for themselves and their children) and many more.

Trigger warning: This book contains a lot of stories about rape, violence, slavery, forced marriage, and honour killings so make sure you are in a good condition.

Overall: 5/5 ⭐️ read this book if you want to understand how sexism is ruining every woman’s life. Yes, including your mother, sisters, grandmas, and every female in this world.

[Elsa Skjong-Arnestad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grundig og tidvis veldig tankevekkende: Scott dekker en rekke områder hvor kvinner stilles økonomisk dårligere og skriver om løsningsforslag for å endre dette. Selv om den oppleves grundig, fremstår den for meg samtidig innimellom litt enkel: konklusjonene oppleves tidvis kategoriske, og linjer trekkes fra eksempler som jeg grubler på om egentlig kan trekkes nettopp dit Scott gjør. Jeg stusser også over at det ikke i større grad diskuteres hvilket bidrag det økonomiske systemet overordnet sett har til ulikhetene som eksisterer. Syns ellers det var spesielt interessant å lese det hun skriver rundt færre fødsler, og husker særlig godt det hun skriver om kvinner og fagorganisering i USA: at kvinners rettigheter i arbeidslivet av enkelte organisasjoner tilsynelatende ble sett på som identitetspolitikk.

[tamzzzj · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you read Invisible Women by Caroline Criado-Perez, this is the perfect follow-up to read once you’re equipped with the awareness of gender data biases. specifically delves into the failure of development economics and dev policies because of the failure to include women in these models and policy design, presenting key data and case studies. like IW, the data in this book is what makes it stand and also the deep research into the history of misogyny- that the one thing that unites every human culture and civilisation throughout history, despite their differences and conflicts, is misogyny and the subjugation of women and their bodies. women historically malnourished — least and last rules. overall a great logical presentation of why the structural exclusion of women from economies is patently inefficient for everybody and everybody suffers.

[Zara Chauvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok like very white saviour and socially-ethically basic, but it’s just so jam packed full of summaries of so many important studies and data tables that it’s such an amazing and eye-opening resource to have on hand.

Like speed-reading hundreds of studies on the economics of sexism in every facet globally.
- wage gaps in all iterations in all cultural contexts and their causes
- SA and r*pe, and surrounding laws, causes, etc.
- Divisions of paid and unpaid labour by gender and country
- links of countries GDP and gender equity
- business and investing models that support or hinder the economic growth of women
- investment style differences between genders
- internationally different legal systems regarding workers rights, suing for discrimination, etc.
- Consumer spending differences between genders

Like just so much more too

[Rasa Cincyte · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best science books that I have ever come across on the subject of women economics - incredibly well researched, yet easy to read. Book offers a truly global perspective on the matter and no statement, no matter how outrageous, goes unchecked or without proper reference to the in depth study (scientific rigor is another standout for me).

I also found the opening remark by Gloria Steinem incredibly accurate in describing the overall reading experience: “the truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off”. Highly recommend to anyone in my network, truly one of the must reads

[Fitri Nurrahmawati · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling and well-researched book that makes me a raging feminist even more. Scott comprehensively explained why ‘women rights’ are not simply ‘human rights’. The most eye-opening part for me is about the systemic disadvantages women face especially in the workplaces, from motherhood penalty to the lack of proper daycare. Not to mention the deeply ingrained bigotry that are still, realised or not, held by many members of societies especially policy makers and economists, resulting in policies that fail to be gender-sensitive. A personal key takeaway, books like this reaffirm my commitment to use my economics degree for humanitarian causes.