Unveiling the Breath: One woman’s journey into understanding Islam and gender equality tackles one of the most pressing issues that face us today—the changing roles that men and women confront in a globalizing world. In particular, it explores the whole issue of gender within the Islamic world. This is the world the author has observed firsthand both through her humanitarian work and her experience as the first female vice-president of Nexen Inc., a large Canadian-based energy company operating in Muslim-majority countries.

Unveiling the Breath incorporates East-West perspectives on faith and feminism, male and female points of view, ways to reconcile spirituality and patriarchy, and the issues involved in raising sons. In doing so the book peels back the “Gender Onion” starting from the outer, more secular layers of our globalizing world—the workplace and communities—to the inner core of our private world of faith, spirituality and family. As she explores the quandaries of gender in both East and West, Kennedy-Glans perceives more similarities than differences.

All proceeds from the sale of this book are dedicated to advancing gender harmonization through the volunteer work of Bridges Social Development. See www.canadabridges.com

Intended audience

This highly topical book will appeal to a wide cross section of readers, particularly those willing to face tough questions about gender equality not only in Muslim countries but also in the West. Unveiling the Breath will be of particular interest to those eager to understand women’s role within Islam; to faith groups, health professionals, teachers and social workers working with Muslim girls and women, as well as to politicians and international lawmakers.