Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

America Ferrera plays with children at the New Light Crèche in Kolkata, India.

Credit: Courtesy of David Smoler

Across the globe oppression of women and girls is being confronted, and real meaningful solutions are being made through health care, education, and economic empowerment. 

In celebration of Women's history Month, WXXI is proud to present the film Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, a two-part documentary on international women’s rights and empowerment based upon the acclaimed novel Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. This two-part film airs on Monday, March 17, 2014 at 7 p.m. and continues on Monday, March 24 at 7 p.m. on WXXI World.

Filmed in 10 countries, the film follows Nicholas Kristof and celebrity activists America Ferrera, Diane Lane, Eva Mendes, Meg Ryan, Gabrielle Union and Olivia Wilde on a journey to tell the stories of inspiring, courageous individuals.

The linked problems of sex trafficking and forced prostitution, gender-based violence, and maternal mortality — which needlessly claim one woman every 90 seconds — present to us the single most vital opportunity of our time: the opportunity to make a change. All over the world women are seizing this opportunity.

Half the Sky is part of the Women and Girls Lead initiative, spearheaded by ITVS in partnership with CPB and PBS. The film is produced by Show of Force Production Company and Fugitive Films and directed by award-winning filmmaker Maro Chermayeff. It is presented on PBS as a special presentation of Independent Lens.