The most important points in Melinda Gates’ The Moment of Lift

In theory, equal access to education puts both sexes on equal footing. But equal footing isn’t enough when women are hampered by an unfair share of unpaid work.

Women spend over twice the amount of time on unpaid work as men. That equals seven extra years of labor. This work (cooking, cleaning, shopping, childcare, caregiving) is essential for maintaining daily lives, but doesn’t do anything to advance women.

We must address the issue of unpaid work if there’s ever going to be economic equality between the sexes. Sharing the work instead of dividing it means moving from a hierarchical relationship to an equal partnership.

When women do no more than their fair share, they can pursue paid work more easily.

Society has to move away from a culture of domination to one where everyone has equal value. When all groups can contribute to decision-making and shaping the culture, each one has an equal voice to protect their interests.

If only one group writes the rules, others suffer undue hardships, and society risks creating blind spots.

It’s possible to topple traditions that discriminate against women, as cultures are malleable. Attitudes can shift. Harmful practices can be dropped. New behaviors can be adopted. Conversations help break down stigmas and inspire revision of old viewpoints and values.

To accomplish change, the exchange of information must flow both ways – and it must be handled with empathy, not judgment.

Without properly understanding established beliefs and cultures, you can’t communicate ideas of change that people will accept.

There are still many barriers in society that need to be broken. But we will continue to make progress as long as we remember that when you lift up women, you lift up humanity.