SO, WHAT IS WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT, AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? Women’s empowerment involves promoting women’s sense of self-worth, ability to determine their own choices, and right to influence social change for themselves and other women. Empowering women is essential to the health and social development of families, communities, and countries. When women live safe, fulfilled, and productive lives, they can reach their full potential, contribute their skills to the workforce, and raise happier and healthier children. Women can also help fuel sustainable economies and benefit societies and humanity at large. Looking at recent facts and figures, we can better understand the need and urgency for women’s empowerment. According to UNICEF reports, as many as 12 million underage girls are married yearly. Globally, women perform at least two and a half times more unpaid domestic work than men, from cooking and cleaning to fetching water and firewood and caring for children and the elderly. As a result, women either have less time to work paid labor or longer workdays with all the additional unpaid labor. From these statistics, empowering women might seem difficult. Still, the good news is that the world is becoming increasingly aware of the need to combat gender inequality. Empowering women does not require a miracle. It takes me, you, and the next person. We can start from the comfort of our homes and communities. HOW CAN WE PLAY OUR PART? Although grassroots movements and organizations have done so much to effect change, here’s how we can play our part and have an impact. SPEAK UP According to a report released by the World Health Organization, at least 1 in 3 women experience violence in their lifetime. We need to make some noise about these issues! We lay the building blocks for the change we want when we have such conversations through social media or in person. When you see people make insensitive comments about women and women’s rights, call them out. Ignorance is never an excuse. Share local pro-women events with your circle, and let us amplify women’s voices on the front lines. VOLUNTEER Volunteering with a women’s rights organization is the perfect opportunity to learn more about women’s rights and contribute to change. Volunteers make a valuable contribution to the fight for women’s empowerment. You can help with research, event planning, or communications work.
MARCH AGAINST INEQUALITY
Be proactive, sign up for matches, spread the word, and bring a friend along. Women’s marches and protests have made real strides in securing support for women’s movements since the early years of women’s activism. These protests and matches offer a platform where women and everyone else demand action for women’s rights and realize actual results.
364
Powered by FlippingBook