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The Pocket Guide to the Patriarchy

On sale

31st August 2023

Price: £12.99

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Selected: Hardcover / ISBN-13: 9781398718739

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‘This is a vital book. Hand this out in schools, in the workplace, everywhere. It’s also beautifully written.’ Olivia Colman

‘Brilliant. Patriarchy 101’ Amnesty UK

‘Immersive and accessible’ Dazed

‘Maya offers both a practical guide and a refreshing perspective on the challenges, barriers, and obstacles facing women today. This is 21st-century feminism in action.’ Angela Rayner, Deputy PM

The essential guide for women everywhere, The Pocket Guide to the Patriarchy is full to the brim with unbelievable stats, shocking figures and emboldening knowledge to understand and fight the patriarchal systems holding all of us back.

Across the world, women are still denied opportunities and rights. The home remains the most dangerous place for women to be worldwide; with the majority of homicide victims who are women being killed by partners or relatives. In some countries, women who get abortions after they are raped face jail time. Less than 20 per cent of landholders in the world are women. Despite all these truths, many would prefer to blame women. For not demanding a seat at the table. For walking home alone at night. For not working hard enough to overcome the odds that are stacked against them.

In her first fact-filled, inclusive and energising book, Maya Oppenheim supplies you with the unforgettable realities, real-world anecdotes and tales of resistance to help you combat denial and continued injustice as the far-right grows and women’s rights come under attack. If yet another rebuttal of patriarchy leaves you lost for words, this book can be pulled out of your pocket.

Utilising her breadth of experience as Women’s Correspondent at The Independent – and as the only women’s correspondent at a UK news outlet – Maya leaves no stone left unturned and sparks new conversations on:

Women’s Health
Sexual Violence
Criminal Justice System
Sex Work
Policing
Far Right
Abortion Rights

And much more across 22 chapters.

Combining poignant stories with startling evidence, The Pocket Guide to the Patriarchy is a blazing examination of the systems rigged against us and offers a way forward that could prompt sustainable reform and build a better world for us all.

‘This book will equip you with the facts, insights, and arguments to fight for total gender equality. Necessary reading for everyone. But most especially for men. Buy it for your next hinge date.’ Grace Campbell

‘Enormously useful’ Selma James, feminist thinker, campaigner and author

Reviews

Ruth Davison, CEO of Refuge
This is a vital read. Maya's chapter on domestic abuse is both fact-filled and compassionate, informed by the many survivors she has worked with in her role as Women's Correspondent at The Independent. Maya shares the startling stats about this crime and busts the many myths that surround this social issue in an educating but accessible way
Angela Rayner, Labour Deputy Leader
Misogyny lingers as an everyday part of life for women today. The abuse I experience as a woman in public life is testament to that - but I am by no means alone. The Pocket Guide to the Patriarchy is a rousing call to action, packed with evidence and wisdom for women everywhere to defend freedoms that took decades to secure in the face of fierce resistance. The women who came before us even had to fight to be allowed to have pockets in the first place. Maya offers both a practical guide and a refreshing perspective on the challenges, barriers, and obstacles facing women today. This is 21st-century feminism in action.
Chiara Capraro, Women's Human Rights Programme Director at Amnesty International UK
Maya's book is a brilliant patriarchy 101 - packed with concise, myth-busting explanations and compelling stats. It will help anyone wanting to feel more confident to have conversations on what feminism is and why we desperately need it. I wish I had this book when I was younger and I hope it will be read by young women and men especially
Ruth Davison, CEO of Refuge
This is a vital read. Maya's chapter on domestic abuse is both fact-filled and compassionate, informed by the many survivors she has worked with in her role as Women's Correspondent at The Independent. Maya shares the startling stats about this crime and busts the many myths that surround this social issue in an educating but accessible way.
Mireille Harper
A fantastic little guide to understanding the patriarchy and how it impacts women's lives across all areas - from health and income disparities to the criminal justice system. Intersectional, nuanced and thoughtful, this book is a must-read for everyone
Nadia Whittome, Labour MP
As the UK's only Women's Correspondent, Maya knows in-depth the topics she covers: from workplace inequality and gendered violence to medical sexism and the failures of the criminal justice system. She writes with passion and clarity, providing arguments for change and resources for those looking to take action. This accessible, informative and powerful book will give you the tools to understand what the patriarchy means today - and inspire you to fight it
Selma James
Oppenheim's book will be enormously useful to those, particularly women, looking for an introduction to feminist issues and arguments. The chapters on sexual violence, the criminal justice system, prison, policing and sex work show how sexism is compounded by racism, and both by women's lack of money. Oppenheim describes the ways in which women are short changed not only by pay inequity if they go out to work, but if they are one of the army of low paid and unpaid carers that the whole world relies on. While making the case against the lack of choices women face Oppenheim registers that we have won important victories because we fought for them.
Chiara Capraro, Women's Human Rights Programme Director at Amnesty International UK
Maya's book is a brilliant patriarchy 101 - packed with concise, myth-busting explanations and compelling stats. It will help anyone wanting to feel more confident to have conversations on what feminism is and why we desperately need it. I wish I had this book when I was younger and I hope it will be read by young women and men especially.
Mireille Harper
A fantastic little guide to understanding the patriarchy and how it impacts women's lives across all areas - from health and income disparities to the criminal justice system. Intersectional, nuanced and thoughtful, this book is a must-read for everyone.
Nadia Whittome, Labour MP
As the UK's only Women's Correspondent, Maya knows in-depth the topics she covers: from workplace inequality and gendered violence to medical sexism and the failures of the criminal justice system. She writes with passion and clarity, providing arguments for change and resources for those looking to take action. This accessible, informative and powerful book will give you the tools to understand what the patriarchy means today - and inspire you to fight it.
Grace Campbell
This book will equip you with the facts, insights, and arguments to fight for total gender equality. Necessary reading for everyone. But most especially for men. Buy it for your next hinge date
Sarah Solemani
Well-written, concise and necessary.
Olivia Colman
This is a vital book. Hand this out in schools, in the work place, everywhere. It's also beautifully written.
Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister
Misogyny lingers as an everyday part of life for women today. The abuse I experience as a woman in public life is testament to that - but I am by no means alone. The Pocket Guide to the Patriarchy is a rousing call to action, packed with evidence and wisdom for women everywhere to defend freedoms that took decades to secure in the face of fierce resistance. The women who came before us even had to fight to be allowed to have pockets in the first place. Maya offers both a practical guide and a refreshing perspective on the challenges, barriers, and obstacles facing women today. This is 21st-century feminism in action.
Adele Walton, Journalist and Dazed book columnist
An immersive deep dive into the barriers hiding in plain sight that keep women locked out and left behind. Maya makes an often difficult subject accessible for all and the inequalities that patriarchal systems reproduce impossible to deny.
Sarah Solemani
Well-written, concise and necessary
Grace Campbell
This book will equip you with the facts, insights, and arguments to fight for total gender equality. Necessary reading for everyone. But most especially for men. Buy it for your next hinge date.
Olivia Colman
This is a vital book. Hand this out in schools, in the work place, everywhere. It's also beautifully written.
Selma Jones
Oppenheim's book will be enormously useful to those, particularly women, looking for an introduction to feminist issues and arguments. The chapters on sexual violence, the criminal justice system, prison, policing and sex work show how sexism is compounded by racism, and both by women's lack of money. Oppenheim describes the ways in which women are short changed not only by pay inequity if they go out to work, but if they are one of the army of low paid and unpaid carers that the whole world relies on. While making the case against the lack of choices women face Oppenheim registers that we have won important victories because we fought for them
Adele Walton, Journalist and Dazed book columnist
An immersive deep dive into the barriers hiding in plain sight that keep women locked out and left behind. Maya makes an often difficult subject accessible for all and the inequalities that patriarchal systems reproduce impossible to deny.