Women, Religion, Violence, and Power

In his widely acclaimed bestseller, "A Call to Action," President Jimmy Carter addresses one of the most serious and pervasive violations of basic human rights: the ongoing discrimination and violence against women and girls. Encouraged by a diverse coalition of leaders from various faiths, President Carter wrote this urgent report to shed light on a global system of discrimination that spans across every nation.

Across wealthier nations, women face systemic barriers to equal opportunity, while in others, they are treated as property, subjected to servitude, child marriage, and genital cutting. The most vulnerable women and their children are ensnared in cycles of war and violence. "A Call to Action" confronts the suffering inflicted upon women through misinterpretations of religious texts and a disturbing trend towards tolerating violence and warfare. Male religious leaders often manipulate key verses, either omitting them or taking them out of context to elevate men and marginalize women. In nations where violence is normalized or glorified, this perceived inequality becomes a justification for widespread abuse.

Drawing on his personal experiences and the testimonies of brave women from diverse backgrounds and faiths, Carter illustrates that more than half of the world's population—women—are systematically denied their fundamental rights. His book is a passionate indictment of the devastating impact of gender inequality on economic prosperity and human welfare, stressing that this issue affects everyone.

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