Summer Reading: Celebrating Voices from Around the World
Summer Reading: Celebrating Voices from Around the World
Celebrating remarkable stories of courage and determination from conflict-affected countries
As we embrace the warmth of summer (sometimes metaphorically, depending on the weather!), we invite you to join us in exploring captivating narratives penned by talented female writers from around the world.
This curated summer reading list celebrates the rich diversity of cultures, histories and personal experiences through the lens of authors from eight conflict-affected countries where we work.
Dive into these stories that promise to inspire meaningful conversations and highlight universal truths about the human experience; reminding us that, despite our own origin stories, there is so much more that unites than divides us.
The Barefoot Woman
Scholastique Mukasonga (Rwanda)
"Her bare feet pressed deep into the memory of the earth."
Scholastique Mukasonga's memoir The Barefoot Woman beautifully captures the resilience of Rwandan culture amidst the turmoil of genocide. Through Mukasonga's heartfelt storytelling, we honour her mother's strength and the traditions that sustain their community in the face of unimaginable loss – and the glimmers of hope that follow it.
Half of a Yellow Sun
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria)
"The world was silent when we died."
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Half of a Yellow Sun transports us to Nigeria during the Biafran War, weaving together the lives of characters whose destinies are shaped by love, loyalty and the tumultuous events unfolding around them. Adichie's iconic prose invites us to reflect on the impact of conflict on personal identities and societal norms.
The Baghdad Clock
“Some meanings exist inside us but are sleeping.”
Set against the backdrop of 1990s Baghdad, Shahad Al Rawi's The Baghdad Clock offers a heartfelt exploration of friendship and hope through the eyes of two young girls. Al Rawi poignantly captures the essence of everyday life amidst political upheaval, highlighting the dreams of Iraqi youth and their determination to create a brighter future.
The Pearl That Broke Its Shell
Nadia Hashimi (Afghanistan)
“The human spirit, you know what they say about the human spirit? Is is harder than a rock and more delicate than a flower petal.”
Nadia Hashimi's The Pearl That Broke Its Shell intertwines the stories of Rahima and Shekiba, Afghan women separated by generations but connected by their yearning for autonomy in a patriarchal society. We’re given a glimpse into the realities Afghan women face as they navigate complex cultural norms and societal expectations.
The Tiger's Wife
“These stories run like secret rivers through all the other stories of his life.”
Téa Obreht's The Tiger's Wife blends folklore with a contemporary narrative set in post-conflict Balkans, where a young doctor uncovers family secrets amidst a landscape haunted by history. Readers are treated to lyrical prose that invites us to ponder themes of memory, identity and the enduring impact of war on personal and collective narratives.
Sworn Virgin
Elvira Dones (Kosovo)
“She was the only girl in the village enrolled in university. She didn't want to have children, she just wanted books. In the middle of the mountains you couldn't say this if you were born a woman."
Elvira Dones' Sworn Virgin explores the Albanian tradition of sworn virgins through the story of Hana, who adopts a male identity to escape societal constraints and pursue her dreams. Dones' novel challenges gender norms and champions the strength of women who, against all odds, are forging their own paths in a rapidly changing world.
A Long Walk to Water
Linda Sue Park (South Sudan)
“One step at a time, one day at a time, just today, just this day to get through.”
Based on a true story, Linda Sue Park's A Long Walk to Water follows the lives of two young protagonists in war-torn South Sudan—Nya, who must trek long distances for water, and Salva, a young boy separated from his family by conflict. The immersive narrative sheds light on the stark challenges survivors of conflict face amidst daily adversity, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in South Sudan.
Mornings in Jenin
Susan Abulhawa (Palestine)
"We're all born with the greatest treasures we'll ever have in life. One of those treasures is your mind, another is your heart."
Susan Abulhawa's Mornings in Jenin spans generations of a Palestinian family's experience, offering an unflinching portrayal of displacement, resilience and the enduring hope for justice amidst the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The empathetic storytelling encourages us to contemplate the universal need for belonging and peace — a message that is more timely than ever.
The story continues
Storytelling connects us all
Which of these compelling reads resonates with you the most? Do you have any favourite books or authors?
We would love to hear about them. Share your thoughts and recommendations on social media tagging us @womenforwomenuk. Happy reading!
Continue reading
The Courage Behind Leila's Smile
subtitle:
In 2018, Leila's village in Damascus, Syria was bombed, killing two of her children and injuring her daughter so badly that she still struggles to walk properly today. Despite their injuries, Leila and her daughter made the difficult to decision to leave their home and seek asylum in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. In the face of immense grief, Leila knew that she needed to move forward for the sake of her family.
On paper, it might seem as though women's rights are protected in Nigeria. But today, Nigerian women and girls continue to face the reality of widespread discrimination, violence and injustice. To understand why urgent change is needed, read these 10 key facts about women's rights in Nigeria.
My Name is Cinama
subtitle:
After graduating from our 12 month programme in the Democractic Republic of Congo, Cinama went on to start her own brickmaking business. She now shares her knowledge with other women and is looked up to as a role model.
More than one year on from Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine and our Managing Director, Sara Bowcutt, shared her reflections with Seida Sarić, Director of Žene za Žene International), our sister organisation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kateryna Shukh, Vice President of Bereginja – Mariupol’s Women’s Association.
The UK Government recently published two long-awaited policies, reflecting how collective and sustained advocacy - anchored in women’s experiences - can contribute to small wins in a broader context of a global rollback on women’s rights, no matter how painstaking those advocacy efforts or granular those wins may feel. So, what are those small wins, and are they worth celebrating?
Across the world, women often have less access to technology, mobile phones and the internet compared to men. In fact, the majority of the 2.9 billion people who remain unconnected are women and girls. But evidence suggests that digital inclusion goes hand in hand with economic empowerment and gender equality.
20 years since the war broke out in Iraq, we reflect on the impact of the war on women, our support over the years and hopes for the future.
Women for Women International invests in the power of women living in these communities. As we celebrate Women's History Month, we reflect on the progress of women using their #PowerToChange in their lives and communities for generations to come.
This International Women’s Day, we are heartened to have the support of our passionate partners and global community in creating the changes we want to see in the world. From beauty to dining to fashion and jewellery, there are many ways to invest in the strength of women, while sharing a gift or choosing a special item for yourself.
In the early hours of February 24, 2022, a televised announcement by Russian President Vladmir Putin would ignite a “special military operation” in Ukraine. Citing his objectives of the country’s “demilitarisation” and “denazification”, his words signaled the siege of key Ukrainian cities by Russian military forces and upended the lives of Ukrainian men, women, and children.
In Mariupol, Olga sang pop and folk music with her group, Melody, who made it onto Ukrainian X-Factor and her husband was the Head of Mariupol’s orchestra. When war broke out, Olga made the perilous journey across the border to Poland with her son, Max, and her parents. Her husband stayed behind in Ukraine.
Women's History Month Reading List
subtitle:
This Women's History Month, get inspired by these female authors who are using their #PowerToChange to bring awareness to injustice, inequality and the incredible resilience of women.