Q: Why are you called Half Sky Journeys?
A: "Women hold up half the sky." (saying from China)
"Half, and often more." (saying from women everywhere)
Does "half sky" sound familiar? Good! Maybe you have explored Nicholas Kristof + Sheryl WuDunn's movement: Half The Sky, with its great resources and women-focused solutions. Although unaffiliated, Half Sky Journeys also donates a portion of all proceeds to non-profit organizations whose work has a positive impact for women, girls, and children worldwide. Have a suggestion for an organization we should know about? Please share your ideas!
Q: What about men?
A: Glad you asked. Men are essential, valued, loved, and respected at Half Sky Journeys. When we talk about investing in women, we don't exclude boys and men. The facts show that investing in women generally has a more exponential reach, and can make life better for every gender and age category in the long term. For a moving, succinct, and slightly humorous explanation of this approach to improving the world, we encourage you to check out The Girl Effect, a great short video / website. We also support men who are leading groups to stop violence against women, such as MAVA India and MASVAW.
Q: Where do you go on trips?
A: We can take you and your group pretty much anywhere in the world, provided there is adequate infrastructure and political stability for us to travel safely as a group. We have experience in Southeast Asia, Europe, East Africa, and Latin America, but what's important is where you want to go, where the work happens that is relevant to your group, and what stirs your soul! Half Sky Journeys coordinates trips alongside local tour operators, to provide you with a professional, well-crafted itinerary and expense breakdown, with every detail included.
Q: Are you like a travel agency?
A: Half Sky is not a travel agency or tour operator. We help you with trip logistics, marketing, budgeting, and planning. Our focus is on crafting and promoting a trip that will be meaningful, delightful, and appropriately priced just for your group's needs and tastes. We provide in-depth consulting to help you incorporate journeys as a regular, profitable offering for your organization or business, and to follow-up and measure that success so you an see the return on your investment.
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Does "half sky" sound familiar? Good! Maybe you have explored Nicholas Kristof + Sheryl WuDunn's movement: Half The Sky, with its great resources and women-focused solutions. Although unaffiliated, Half Sky Journeys also donates a portion of all proceeds to non-profit organizations whose work has a positive impact for women, girls, and children worldwide. Have a suggestion for an organization we should know about? Please share your ideas!
Q: What about men?
A: Glad you asked. Men are essential, valued, loved, and respected at Half Sky Journeys. When we talk about investing in women, we don't exclude boys and men. The facts show that investing in women generally has a more exponential reach, and can make life better for every gender and age category in the long term. For a moving, succinct, and slightly humorous explanation of this approach to improving the world, we encourage you to check out The Girl Effect, a great short video / website. We also support men who are leading groups to stop violence against women, such as MAVA India and MASVAW.
Q: Where do you go on trips?
A: We can take you and your group pretty much anywhere in the world, provided there is adequate infrastructure and political stability for us to travel safely as a group. We have experience in Southeast Asia, Europe, East Africa, and Latin America, but what's important is where you want to go, where the work happens that is relevant to your group, and what stirs your soul! Half Sky Journeys coordinates trips alongside local tour operators, to provide you with a professional, well-crafted itinerary and expense breakdown, with every detail included.
Q: Are you like a travel agency?
A: Half Sky is not a travel agency or tour operator. We help you with trip logistics, marketing, budgeting, and planning. Our focus is on crafting and promoting a trip that will be meaningful, delightful, and appropriately priced just for your group's needs and tastes. We provide in-depth consulting to help you incorporate journeys as a regular, profitable offering for your organization or business, and to follow-up and measure that success so you an see the return on your investment.
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"Women hold up half the sky."
Half Sky Writing was born from Half Sky Journeys
My name is Ila Asplund. My vision is to increase the impact of organizations advancing gender equity and social justice. I do this through creating in-person and digital engagement experiences, storytelling, and thoughtful communications strategies for my clients. In previous years, I also provided international journeys to give travelers the opportunity to meet and engage with global leaders who are improving life for women.
Since 2020, I have joined the digital marketing team at Mercy Corps — an international aid organization working in 40+ countries to help people survive crises and thrive in the longterm. From time to time, I write web articles and other digital pieces, in addition to my main duties managing the email outreach program. My work keeps me plenty busy, but sometimes I find a moment to draw or write or create and share that on Instagram or here on this website.
You can reach me at ila@halfsky.org.
Copyright © 2021. All Rights Reserved. Website by Ila Asplund