Book: Invisible Women
Author: Caroline Criado Perez
Reviewer’s Instagram: readdebutswithlana
Photo Credit: readdebutswithlana
Original Book Review
Invisible Women
By @ccriadoperez
March 7, 2019
Throughout history, society has evolved – often driven by critical thinking and the courage of individuals willing to question the status quo. Pérez is one such voice, and Invisible Women shines a light on the gaps she noticed in the world around us. The book offers a fresh perspective on the widely discussed topic of the gender gap, this time through the lens of the date collection process and what’s being used as the baseline to define normalcy rate.
Pérez introduces readers to what she defines as the “gender data gap,” uncovering how many systems and standards that shape our lives – policies, public services, infrastructure design – are built around what she calls the “male default.” This isn’t just theory; it’s a data-backed exploration that challenges the foundation of how societal norms are constructed and measured.
Invisible Women completely shifted my perspective. It was a “fish out of water” experience that pulled me out of the dark and made me realize just how normalized it is to treat women’s metrics as exceptions rather than essentials in defining baselines. I hadn’t picked up much nonfiction independently until well after college, but I’m so glad I chose this book – it left me with more questions than answers, and that, I believe, is the sign of truly impactful work.
Until we address disparities across all domains – including data – we must continue to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and return to the root of our decision-making processes to ensure fairness and eliminate both conscious and unconscious biases.
