Book Review: Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez

How many times have you looked at a medical, business, technology, planning, or government policy decision and felt like a whole group of people are being ignored? It seems that half of the world is considered, while the other half is taken for granted to “fit in.” The evidence presented in “Invisible Women” shows that you aren’t alone, and you aren’t imagining it. As its subtitle suggests, it is “exposing data bias in a world designed for men.” Today, I would like to discuss “Invisible Women”* by Caroline Criado Perez.*

The book highlights the impact of when data simply ignores half of humanity. It describes how, for generations, the default human has been considered male, from language to the biological default in medical or safety trials. When we are considered, it is assumed that women are just “smaller men,” meaning, amongst other things, we are 47% more likely to be seriously hurt in a car accident! The book outlines how this has, and will continue to, directly impact the health, wealth, safety, and prospects of women worldwide.

Award-winning author and feminist campaigner Caroline Criado Perez has successfully translated complex data into an accessible book.   Published in 2019, it covers a wide range of areas, including daily life, The Workplace, Design, Going to the Doctor, Public Life, and the extremely shocking “When it goes wrong.”

Key case studies are presented to illustrate the harm that results from failing to consider the needs of nearly 50% of the world’s population. More importantly, as an agent of change, it shows the powerful impact of collecting evidence and addressing women’s needs, as well as suggestions on how to close the gender gap.

Within the distress and discomfort of this book are examples of how considering women’s needs can make a real difference. Examples include:

Sweden, where the consideration of gender differences in snow clearance schedules led to improved mobility for women, mainly when clearing pavements and cycle paths, and a reduction in the frequency of pedestrian injuries.

In Vienna, Austria, city planners FINALLY considered the needs of women and girls when consulting on public park usage. This inclusive approach led to an increase in use, as it included better lighting, expanded seating areas, and improved sight lines.

Finally, dosage recommendations for a wide range of medicines have led to more effective medical treatments, rather than relying on a “one-size-fits-all” approach, improving and saving lives.

For anyone involved in planning, decision-making, or policy development, Invisible Women is a must-read. From politicians and analysts to teachers to city planners, if you want to know more about women’s unpaid care burden, the female body or male violence against women, this needs to be on your bookshelf.

I’ve recently seen that Caroline Criado Perez is in the process of writing an updated version; this is something I will be buying, as nearly six years on from publication, the data (or lack thereof) has been accumulating. I’m intrigued to see what it uncovers.

Have you read Invisible Women? What do you think?

Read the previous book reviews here. 

 

 

 

 

*This is an affiliate link for Bookshop. If you click and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission.