Women in the World

Despite making up roughly half the world's population, women make up slightly more than 20 percent of the members of the world's legislative bodies. In a list of 163 nations ordered by the number of women in legislatures, Canada is ranked 64th and the United States 97th. Featuring engaging profiles of women leaders and a thoughtful examination of why women are underrepresented (emphasizing the US and Canada), this inspiring resource encourages readers to think about what the world would be like with more women leaders and how that might be accomplished, as well as empowers girls to seek leadership positions.

Many women have broken the glass ceiling of sports, including tennis star Serena Williams, race car driver Danica Patrick, and soccer player Abby Wambach. These women have fought hard to reach the summit of their sports, and many women in sports continue to fight to be taken seriously or to be paid the same as men. This text examines female athletes, their struggles, as well as representations of women in sports. It includes a glossary, a list of organizations for women in sports, and additional suggestions for research.

Unfortunately, far fewer women than men hold positions of leadership around the world. This is not due to the fact that women are less skilled at leadership than men, but is due to a mix of societal norms, economic policies, and other pressures that push women out of leadership positions or downplay their accomplishments. This volume aims to guide women to become leaders in all aspects of their lives, whether or not they take up formal leadership in their careers. A glossary, a "For More Information" section, and suggestions for additional research are also provided.

Networking is the process of building up your social and professional connections in order to advance your career and/or to strengthen your community. For young women in particular, networking is a useful skill to know in order to chart a path through adulthood, whether through choosing a college, finding a first job or internship, or even meeting new friends. This text guides readers through the process of networking with a focus on how to cultivate useful social skills. It includes a glossary, a "For More Information" section, and suggestions for additional research to guide students in their reading.

Despite making up 47 percent of the US workforce, women still face tremendous challenges in nearly every place of employment. This insightful resource highlights some of these challenges, such as lower pay, fewer promotions, and sexual harassment, that women have faced in the past and present. Readers will also learn about the steps taken throughout history for and by working women. Clear explanations illuminate the laws that have been passed for their support and protection, pointing the way to a safer, healthier, and more equitable future for women in the workplace.

Many women have chosen to speak out for their rights and the rights of others, including such famous female activists as Rosa Parks, Dolores Huerta, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Often, these women have spoken out despite the fact that they faced time in jail, injury, or even death. This text introduces readers to female activists and their work and suggests way readers can help to fight against violence against women and for equal political and economic rights. A glossary, list of organizations activism, and additional avenues of research are included to guide readers as they explore this important topic.

The feminist movement encourages equal rights, self-respect, and self-confidence for women of all classes and races everywhere in the world; so, theoretically, females everywhere should be coming into their own at last. Yet the media and internet portray females in a different light. This resource highlights the propaganda and stereotypes faced by girls almost as soon as they are born. Readers will learn how girls' toys, music, and more can influence their image of women. More importantly, readers can access support and inspiration to stand up for themselves and thwart the often-damaging messages they are forced to navigate.

Relationships are so common that it is easy to take them for granted, but successful relationships take some amount of work to keep them healthy and happy for both parties. Readers will learn what it takes to keep relationships going strong, as well as how to handle toxic or stressful relationships, long-distance relationships, family relationships, romances, and more. This edifying text also highlights important qualities to look for in any relationship and how to handle the struggle when people disagree or break up. It even discusses how to have a good and healthy relationship with yourself!

Domestic violence, or intimate partner violence, is an epic issue that is defined as a pattern of abusive behavior between people who are familiar, including family members, husbands, boyfriends, children, or caregivers. In a domestic violence situation, one partner procures power and control over the other through force. Readers will find a concise explanation of what constitutes domestic violence, so they can better recognize it when they see or experience it. This crucial resource also provides information about various forms of abuse and other nuances of violence as well as invaluable resources for domestic violence information and assistance.

Societal norms have placed large burdens on how women perceive themselves, and how they want others to perceive them. This has led to some distressing statistics, with up to 10 percent of college-aged women in the United States suffering from an eating disorder. While individual women can focus on cultivating a healthy body image, it is important for young women to analyze how the media and others encourage unhealthy perceptions of what women's bodies are supposed to look like. A glossary, a "For More Information" section, and additional avenues of research are provided to guide readers to better understand the importance of a healthy female body image.

Finding out you are pregnant, particularly as a teen, can be a frightening and disorienting experience. This text guides readers through important first steps to taking on a potential journey to parenthood, from telling your parents, to finding a medical practitioner, or deciding to terminate a pregnancy. Readers are encouraged to build a support network and to forge a path forward that is comfortable for them, whatever it may be. This text includes a glossary, a "For More Information" section, and suggestions for additional research to guide students in their reading.

Reproductive health and their accompanying rights affect each and every woman. This crucial resource provides information to help women make informed, educated decisions. Readers will learn about navigating the often-murky waters of making choices about sex and their sexual health, as well as the additional choices they may face if they wish to forge ahead into motherhood, put a child up for adoption, or opt to terminate a pregnancy, as well as the physical and emotional ramifications of each. This text also offers an overview of the history of reproductive rights and the pro-life movement into the continuing modern-day struggle.