International Women's Day: 10 Books About Women's Rights And Equality | HuffPost

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In honour of International Women's Day!

Rebecca Ridlington— The Huffington Post Canada

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In 2016, one could say that women's rights and equality have come a long way, and indeed, they have.

Women and girls are doing incredible things to improve their communities and the world, and their voices are being heard and listened to more and more. There is visible evidence of this as young women like Malala Yousafzai — the youngest-ever winner of the Nobel Laureate — take a stand for their rights and beliefs.

It is also wonderful to see that women are now in ever-more visible roles of leadership, business and activism. Here at home, gender parity has, at long last, been achieved in our federal cabinet. And south of the border, the U.S. finally has a serious female presidential contender.

While these are major victories, the journey is far from over. From wage gaps, to violence, to abuse, to sexual slavery, to the voices of women of colour and aboriginal women being stifled or ignored, the struggle for equality continues at home and abroad.

For that reason, we gathered a list of must-read books that share the achievements of women, that outline the story and future of feminism. These books also feature a wide range of inspirational women's stories. It's only in knowing where we've come from and in understanding the value of our diverse experiences and voices, that we can truly celebrate the victories, comprehend the ongoing challenges, and find our way forward.

International Women's Day Reads

I Am Malala(01 of10)

I Am Malala, by Malala Yousafzai as told to Christina Lamb.Malala needs no introduction. She is an incredible advocate for girls and their right to education. Malala came close to paying the ultimate price for her beliefs when she was shot at point-blank range on her way home from school. This is her story, and it is certainly an inspiring one. (credit:Chapters/Indigo)

We Should All Be Feminists(02 of10)

We Should All Be Feminists, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.Published after the overwhelming success of her TEDx talk, this essay by award-winning Nigerian author, Adichie should (in our opinion) be required reading. Adichie puts forward a new and nuanced definition of feminism, in addition to shining light on the outright discrimination and the more subtle behaviours that hold women back. This talk went viral for a reason, and the written version is well worth reading. (credit:Chapters/Indigo)

The Unfinished Revolution(03 of10)

The Unfinished Revolution: Voices from the Global Fight for Women's Rights, edited by Minky Worden.This text is a primer on the global struggle for equality and women's rights. It is a chorus of international voices discussing the plight of many women around the world — those who are denied education and/or the opportunity to work, those in situations of conflict who are the victims of violence and rape as a weapon, those who find themselves ensnared by sexual slavery. There are so many reasons why the rights of women still need to be fought for, and many of them are outlined in this valuable work. (credit:Chapters/Indigo)

Ain't I A Woman?(04 of10)

Ain't I A Woman? : Black Women And Feminism, by bell hooks.As far as the women's rights movements have come in North America and around the world, it is often only the voices of white women that are given the opportunity to be heard. This book by bell hooks offers an important perspective on how sexism has impacted women of colour, the racism within the feminist movement, as well as how black women are and can be involved in the women's rights movement. Even almost 30 years later, this work continues to be a must-read. (credit:Amazon)

Half The Sky(05 of10)

Half The Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity For Women Worldwide, by Nicholas D. Kristof & Sheryl Wudunn.This book, from Pulitzer Prize-winning writers Kristof and Wudnn, highlights the struggles faced by women in the developing world, but with a glimmer of hope. By sharing these women's remarkable stories, they demonstrate that when a woman's true potential is nurtured and supported, the impact is mighty in improving their lives, their communities, and the surrounding economy. (credit:Amazon)

Girls Like Us(06 of10)

Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls are Not for Sale, an Activist Finds Her Calling and Heals Herself, by Rachel Lloyd.Author and activist, Rachel Lloyd shares her story in this moving memoir. From her personal experience as a survivor of sexual exploitation, Lloyd took it upon herself to help women and girls facing similar circumstances, by founding GEMS: Girls Educational And Mentoring Services. Lloyd also shares the stories of the girls who have been helped, and how helping others helped her heal. (credit:Amazon)

Enough is Enough(07 of10)

Enough is Enough: Aboriginal Women Speak Out, as told to Janet Silman.One of Canada's ugly secrets is our ongoing ignorance surrounding native women's voices — both those who are struggling with disadvantages and racism, as well as those hundreds of missing and murdered women (even if a national inquiry has finally begun). This somewhat difficult-to-find text (ask about it at your local public or university library) was published in the early nineties, and shares the experience and unique challenges of growing up both female and native. (credit:Amazon)

The Good Girls Revolt(08 of10)

The Good Girls Revolt: How The Women Of Newsweek Sued Their Bosses And Changed The Workplace, by Lynn Povich.This book tells the story of a group of women who banded together to sue their employer, Newsweek, for systematic discrimination. Povich, who was one of the women involved in the suit, explains what that meant, and what the consequences were for the women, both professionally and personally. She also addresses how the change and eventual legislation they set in motion has improved, but not completely changed, the situation for working women today. There is more work to be done! (credit:Chapters/Indigo)

Men Explain Things To Me(09 of10)

Men Explain Things To Me, by Rebecca Solnit.Rebecca Solnit popularized the concept of "mansplaining" with her insightful and humorous essay on men who explain things to women that they assume women don't already know. The book also highlights other important issues, namely, men silencing women, the prevalence of violence against women, and the reason why feminism continues to be crucial around the world. (credit:Chapters/Indigo)

I Call Myself A Feminist(10 of10)

I Call Myself A Feminist: The View from Twenty-Five Women Under Thirty, edited by Victoria Pope, Rachel Holmes, Amy Annette, Alice Stride and Martha MosseThis collection features a range of young women — from activists to award-winning authors, to engineers and comedians — who share what feminism and being a feminist means to them. Their range of backgrounds and experiences contribute to an entertaining and informative read about the young women who represent the future of feminism. (credit:Amazon)

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