Society

Invisible Women: 8 key ideas

by Caroline Criado Perez

The core ideas of Invisible Women, each in under a minute, written in our own words. Want the full depth? Get the book.

1. IDEA 1 OF 8

   Data often leaves women out

   Criado Perez argues that much of the data used to design the modern world is based on men, ignoring women.

   She calls this the gender data gap and shows how it affects women's safety, health and daily lives.

2. IDEA 2 OF 8

   Men are treated as the default

   The author argues that men's bodies and lives are often treated as the human standard.

   Women are then seen as a deviation from the norm. She says this happens quietly, without anyone meaning to leave women out.

3. IDEA 3 OF 8

   Snow clearing revealed a bias

   The author describes how a Swedish town found that clearing roads before footpaths favoured men's travel patterns.

   Women, who walked more, faced more injuries until the order was changed. Careful data on daily travel made the difference clear.

4. IDEA 4 OF 8

   Crash tests used male dummies

   The author explains that car safety tests long used dummies based on the average male body.

   Women, she reports, face a higher risk of serious injury in crashes. In her account, tests designed around one body type leave others less protected.

5. IDEA 5 OF 8

   Medicine studied men more

   The author describes how medical research has often focused on male bodies.

   Symptoms and drug effects in women can be overlooked. She argues that the result is advice and treatment built around evidence that fits men better.

6. IDEA 6 OF 8

   Unpaid work is ignored

   The author argues that economic data ignores the unpaid care work mostly done by women.

   This hides a huge contribution. In her view, what is not counted in official figures is also easily left out of policy.

7. IDEA 7 OF 8

   Offices suit men's bodies

   The author describes how office temperatures were set using formulas based on men.

   Many women find them too cold. She uses the example to show how a small standard set long ago can affect comfort every day.

8. IDEA 8 OF 8

   Disasters affect women differently

   The author shows that relief efforts after disasters often overlook women's needs.

   Including women in planning improves outcomes. In her account, planners who ask women directly are more likely to meet real needs such as safety and care.