Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

Premiered October 01, 2012
Directed by Maro Chermayeff

About the Documentary

Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide is a four-hour PBS primetime documentary film and national broadcast event inspired by the widely acclaimed book of the same name by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.

Filmed in 10 countries, the series 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. Across the globe oppression is being confronted, and real meaningful solutions are being fashioned through health care, education, and economic empowerment for women and girls.

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.

The series is part of the Women and Girls Lead initiative, spearheaded by ITVS in partnership with CPB and PBS.

The Filmmakers

Maro Chermayeff

Jamie Gordon

Mikaela Beardsley

Documentaries Available to Watch Now

Documentaries Coming Soon

Learn More About the Documentary

Actress America Ferrera surrounded by a group of Indian children, all cheering and having fun.

Half the Sky: America Ferrera on India’s Sex Trade

Half the Sky: The Impact of India’s Caste System on Women

Half the Sky: Education in Vietnam