Women Unbound: Start of Challenge Meme

The Women Unbound reading challenge has now begun. The first book I am planning to read for the challenge is Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain, the memoirs of a woman who lived through World War I.

Before I start the challenge, here are my answers to the first Women Unbound Meme.

WOMEN UNBOUND Start of Challenge Meme:

1. What does feminism mean to you? Does it have to do with the work sphere? The social sphere? How you dress? How you act?

Feminism means a belief that women are in no way inferior to men. It means ensuring that women are not discriminated against because of their gender at work or in society and that they have equal rights and opportunities. Women should have the freedom to express themselves and follow their dreams.

2. Do you consider yourself a feminist? Why or why not?

While I would not describe myself as an active feminist, I do believe in equal rights for women. Although I’m not a very outspoken person myself, anyone who takes a stand for feminism would have my full support.

3. What do you consider the biggest obstacle women face in the world today? Has that obstacle changed over time, or does it basically remain the same?

I think that although women faced bigger obstacles in the past and things have improved a lot, there are still many ways in which women are discriminated against today.

There are still some employers who pay women less than men, for example, and there are still some areas of work which are male dominated. I think the biggest problem is changing people’s attitudes – there are too many people, both men and women, who have fixed ideas about what women should and shouldn’t do.

Women Unbound: A Reading Challenge

I’ve signed up for another reading challenge! This one is called Women Unbound and you can visit the challenge blog here.

The challenge runs from November 1, 2009-November 30, 2010 and the idea is to read nonfiction and fiction books related to ‘women’s studies’.

There are three challenge levels to choose from:

  • Philogynist: read at least two books, including at least one nonfiction one.
  • Bluestocking: read at least five books, including at least two nonfiction ones.
  • Suffragette: read at least eight books, including at least three nonfiction ones.

I am aiming for the Bluestocking level, but will hopefully have time to read enough books to reach Suffragette.


Books read for this challenge (updated February 14 2010)

1. Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain (nonfiction) – see my review

2. The Moonlit Cage by Linda Holeman (fiction) – see my review

3. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte (fiction) – see my review