There’s a rise in women's empowerment as feminism continues to grow and women’s marches are being held all across the country. And we’re definitely seeing shifts with all the different movements occurring, including the most recent “Speak Up” and “Me Too” movements. It’s incredible to see women banding together, feeling comfortable enough to speak their minds without being worried about being judged, ridiculed, or disrespected. When women (and supportive men) group together, the collective energy creates an environment of support, expression, and progression for women’s rights. Female empowerment is important because equality liberates all people.
Empowerment is defined as the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights. Female empowerment is important so that women can reclaim their power and play a significant role in society. Historically, women have had less power than men and have had a harder time achieving goals or gaining equality. And while great strides have been made in gender equality, there is still so much more work to do. In many societies, women are still consistently paid less, are expected to uphold outdated gender roles, and are victims to abuse of power and other inequalities. And in less forward countries, women are stripped of their power by not being allowed to drive, own property, run for office, or make any legal decisions about their lives. Empowerment for women is clearly needed in order to practice equal rights -- politically, economically, and socially.
How do we continue empowering women? We band together. We hold the space for one another, knowing that it’s safe to express our minds and speak our truths. We support and encourage our fellow ladies - not viewing each other as competition, but as partners and sisters on the path. We passionately believe in each other - because when we empower one person, we also empower ourselves. We are all far more influential than we realize, and it is with this power and influence that we can make great change.
Let’s all continue expressing ourselves, supporting one another, and playing a more active role in the progression of gender equality. You don’t have to attend a women’s march, rally, or activism event if it’s not possible for you; you could advocate for change in your home, workplace, or community. You can use the platform of your social media account to express ideas and ways in which things should change. There are many ways to speak up and express your mind, all of which do great work in bringing awareness to the larger collective. The important thing is that we continue to express ourselves -- without fear -- in order to move along these ideas and bring awareness to the inequalities of our current day and age. It’s through awareness, the sharing of ideas, and actions that change is fostered. The exciting thing? There’s a revolution happening, and we’re all participating in it.