Promoting gender equality is crucial to combating global poverty, a point Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn make in their new book, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide [6], published by Knopf. Millions of women and girls in developing countries die, are killed, or suffer brutal treatment -- simply because they are female. The authors, who share a marriage and a Pulitzer for their reporting for the New York Times, relate stories of horrific abuse -- sex trafficking, honor killings and mass rape, maternal mortality -- but also of terrific courage and resilience. They also provide many ways readers can take action; one key is for conservatives and liberals to look for common ground in their work on these issues.

Listen here to a portion of their interview with Sojourners -- and look for the print interview in the magazine's December issue.

Molly Marsh is an associate editor of Sojourners.