Empowered women are leaders in their communities. They make a difference with their integrity, bravery and compassion. They are the light in times of darkness and hopelessness.
A woman is empowered when she shifts her mindset from victim to warrior. The first step in that process is knowing yourself and who you are.
1. She Knows Her Worth
Recognizing your own worth is a powerful journey that will transform you from within. Women who know their worth speak confidently and authentically, expressing themselves openly and honestly without fear of judgement from others.
A woman who knows her worth won’t put up with any man who treats her poorly. If she sees you putting her down or making her feel less than, she will quickly take note and remove you from her life.
She also expects to be treated with respect, especially in romantic relationships. If you don’t respect her body, mind, home or career she will make it clear that you don’t get a second chance.
A woman who knows her worth will also be able to forgive herself when she makes poor choices. It’s not that she doesn’t care about you; it’s just that she realizes that she can’t please everyone. This is why she puts herself first, so that you never feel alone or unworthy.
2. She Knows How To Communicate Effectively
Women need to have equal access to education, economic opportunities, and decision-making power. They also need to be able to take control of their own health and safety. Until all women can achieve these things, our world will remain stuck in a cycle of poverty and underdevelopment.
Investing in women’s rights and empowerment is essential to achieving a range of international development goals. This includes reducing child marriage, stopping female genital mutilation (FGM), increasing women’s political participation, promoting access to quality healthcare and addressing gender-based violence.
Business has a key role to play in empowering women and supporting global prosperity. It can do this by signing the Women’s Empowerment Principles, a set of guidelines that provides guidance on how businesses can advance women’s equality in the workplace, marketplace and community. Learn more about the WEPs and how to join this global community of business leaders.
3. She Knows What She Wants
Whether it’s material possessions or affection, women know what they want in life and are not afraid to speak their minds. This confidence and boldness can help them achieve their goals and dreams. In fact, empowerment is one of the most important ingredients for economic development and prosperity.
Empowerment can also mean reclaiming cultural values and traditions that are deemed “sexist” or “misogynistic”. Ultimately, it allows us to question cultural norms cloaked in the name of tradition.
Business leaders can show their support for women’s empowerment by adopting the Women’s Empowerment Principles and committing to advance gender equality in their workplaces, marketplaces and communities. This includes making a clear commitment to women’s advancement and demonstrating this progress through the use of sex-disaggregated data. Learn how your organization can join the thousands of other businesses by adopting the WEPs.
4. She Knows What She Deserves
Women are a vital part of economic development, both as entrepreneurs and workers. By investing in women, we can create a stronger economy for everyone.
An empowered woman is a lifelong learner. She seeks out ways to grow and develop every day – whether through cultivating a gratitude practice, reading personal development books, or learning a new skill. She loves to share her knowledge with others and is a natural teacher.
In the workplace, she isn’t afraid to speak up for herself. She knows she deserves to be treated with respect and equality, regardless of her job title or pay level.
Let’s empower the women around us by encouraging their voices, supporting their interests, and embracing their uniqueness. Everyone benefits when we challenge age-old gender stereotypes and barriers. After all, a recent McKinsey Global Institute report found that narrowing the gap between men and women could increase global GDP by $12 trillion. That’s worth fighting for!