Literature For Equality E01 | Iban Woman by Golda Mowe - What Does it Mean to be a 'Perfect Girl'?

This is the first episode of our Literature for Equality Project where we pick 8 books that use them to discuss gender issues. This project is supported by The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. Our first book is Iban Woman by Golda Mowe and this is a thrilling coming-of-age tale of Ratai, an Iban girl at the cusp of womanhood and her struggles in finding her identity and wanting to be more than just what the tribe deems as a perfect woman. The world is rich with Iban gods and mythology and you get immersed into Iban culture from ceremonies to rites within daily life and also if a tribe goes to war. Throughout you will feel the push and pull of Ratai's thoughts as she questions the gender stereotypes around her and eventually forge her own path in the world.