Prize-winning journalists link women to progress

Women are crucial to social and economic development, according to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, both of The New York Times.

The husband-and-wife team discussed the importance of empowering women last night at an event hosted by NYU's Center for Global Affairs at the auditorium of the SUNY College of Optometry.

The event was based on Kristof and WuDunn's new book, "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide," which focuses on women's oppression worldwide and the steps that can be taken to empower women in the fight against poverty and extremism. Both Kristof and WuDunn have traveled extensively and met remarkable women who have made a difference as a result of economic empowerment.

According to Kristof, every year, 800,000 people — mostly women — are trafficked across international borders. He and WuDunn attribute such injustices to patriarchal society.

"You have to change the culture," WuDunn said. "You have to change the society of men and women."

Kristof and WuDunn said society must empower women in order to improve conditions, citing the example of maternal morality. Improved health care and medicine did not bring down maternal morality, but women's suffrage did, Kristof said.

"Women gained the right to vote. They became more important elements of society; the home and their lives were more worth saving," he said.

WuDunn went on to stress the potential of women.

"China's export industry was built on the backs of women," WuDunn said. "Without women, the female workforce, China would not have jump-started its economy."

According to Kristof and WuDunn, the empowerment of women is mostly dependent on grassroots efforts.

"Go out and spend time in the developing world," Kristof told students in the audience. "Embed yourself and you will benefit so much."

CAS senior Katherine Wilkins enjoyed the lecture.

"It's great to get an inside perspective from someone who is able to travel so much and meet these individual people," she said.

Robert Lapiner, dean of NYU's School of Continuing and Professional Studies, praised the Center for Global Affairs for hosting the event.

"Tonight's program is a example of CGA at its primitive best," he said.

Clarissa Wei is a staff writer.