On International Women’s Day 2021, Communications Lead Nancy muses on power, empowerment and how societies value women’s contributions.
Authority or the power given…the process of becoming stronger – Empowerment…so important for both Women and Girls especially where lives are lived in impoverishment and in cultures where gender discrimination is a daily reality. International Women’s Day 2021 throws that into stark relief
Empowerment often brings with it a sense of increased confidence, strength of purpose especially in being able to make decisions regarding one’s own life and the rights that many empowered women take for granted.
Education is crucial to this empowerment and sadly there are still cultures and places in the world that limit or deny education to girls, completely removing the basic fundamental skills and knowledge which is the start of getting gender on the same footing. Often it is education that provides the ability to earn money. People say “money doesn’t buy happiness” – True but reality is that having little or no money is a disadvantage, being poor and deprived doesn’t allow opportunities and access to resources that perhaps are open to those with education and training and allows for the closure of this economic gap and in particular allows girls to have an education allowing them as they grow into women to have the confidence to become Empowered Women.
Main stream media can strengthen this conversation in providing social relations, and positions in social structures confirming permissions .. their right to say No, to have opinions, to have a voice and be listened to, and for women and girls to have a purpose outside of the home.
We are a long way from all Women and Girls having their contributions recognised and valued by all of society though it is increasing. Social empowerment gives approval and sets expectations. Unfortunately unlike technology that I would describe as an escalator over the last 40 years …going consistently onwards and upwards in its adoption of new thinking and ideas at speed; Empowerment of women is still taking the stairs .. one step at a time going forwards and upwards but it seems to take a breather on the occasional stair before we push on to the top.
It remains whatever our gender to ensure we support empowerment, to be willing to listen and to share our adult power and privilege in order to make the community a better place for girls and women alike wherever they may be in the world.
#ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021