The highly anticipated new book by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide," is available at a bookstore near you.

The book highlights how renewed focus on the world's women and girls can lead to the end of many of the world's ills. It also goes in depth in sharing Women for Women International Claudine's story and how by sponsoring a woman, Murvelene changed the path of an entire family. Read Claudine's Story.

The authors, New York Times columnist Kristof and his wife, WuDunn, report on the struggles of women worldwide, including other women like Claudine, who have overcome the odds. It also outlines the impact women stand to have on society if given the tools of empowerment they lack by virtues of their sex.

 

Claudine Mukakarisa was just thirteen when her and her sister were captured and held captive in a rape camp during the genocide. She was repeatedly raped and subjected to violence for many years. When her captures noticed she was pregnant they decided to let her go. Claudine became the sole surviving member of her family.

Alone and homeless, she gave birth to the child of one of her rapist. She took refuge with a family member who mistreated her, and when she became pregnant for a second time she was turned out of the house.

Traumatized and with no skills to support her children, Claudine came to the doors of the Women for Women International offices in Kigali. Claudine was matched with her sponsor, Murvelene in New York. After graduation she took the skills she learned in the program and began making and selling beadwork. With her earnings she can send her children to school and buy the necessities to build a happy and healthy family.

Women for Women International is dedicated to working with women survivors of war in conflict and post conflict societies. The core belief of the organization is that stronger women build stronger nations, and that with the adequate access to information and resources, socially excluded women can lead change towards peaceful and stable societies.

Women for Women believes, and provides the means for, women throughout the world to share their resources and knowledge, and to help women survivors of war move from victims to survivors to active citizens. Embedded in the core of WFWI programs is the belief in the integrity of women and their experiences. Through affirmation and networks of support, WFWI seeks to amplify the voices of the women served.

Women for Women International is a contributor to the global women's movement, in which women are mobilized to promote lasting change in the lives of women survivors of war.