Activating other women and helping them achieve their goals is important for changing the narrative around gender equality. This can include promoting flexible work schedules that allow for women to balance their responsibilities and career ambitions, or making sure pay schemes are fair and reasonably free from bias.
Another way to woman empower is by supporting women-owned businesses. This can be done by promoting them and investing in them.
1. Activate Other Women
Women’s empowerment is a fundamental component of affirming global human rights and a key to poverty alleviation. It seeks to give women decision-making power, instill a sense of intrinsic value that may have been stolen from them, and ensure their right to influence social change for themselves and others.
This includes giving them access to education, healthcare, and the ability to own property. It also involves combatting gender-based violence and promoting mental health support.
One of the most powerful ways to empower other women is simply to make them feel heard. This can be done by encouraging them to share their stories, promoting their ideas, and backing their opinions. This simple act of empowering women goes a long way and can have ripple effects that last a lifetime! It’s a simple way to fill up your own empowerment cup so it can spill over into building other women up. This can be in your friendships, work, or even in a casual conversation!
2. Be a Mentor
Women naturally serve as role models and mentors to other women, inspiring and encouraging them to pursue their goals. This is especially important in communities where women are undervalued or underrepresented, like in the workplace and political leadership.
Be a woman-empowering role model by being supportive of the women in your life and by sharing your own experiences and successes. Encourage women to be honest and candid when discussing their challenges, and celebrate the strength it takes for them to do so.
You can also empower women in your community by supporting organizations that focus on women’s empowerment, including those that support education and economic opportunity for girls. For example, CARE’s work in developing countries improves access to clean water by empowering communities through the involvement of women and girls. And, FINCA’s microloans and other holistic poverty alleviation strategies support women across the globe. By enabling women to better care for their families and secure jobs, these programs promote a more equal society for everyone.
3. Invest in Women-Owned Businesses
Having access to funding is important for all businesses. However, female entrepreneurs face additional obstacles like stereotypes and lack of funding, which can make it difficult to start a business or even keep one running.
Luckily, there are a number of organizations that offer funding opportunities for women-owned businesses. One example is the iFundWomen crowdfunding platform, which has raised more than $18 million in support of female entrepreneurs. Another option is the Visa Global She’s Next Grant Program, which provides funding and coaching to female entrepreneurs around the world.
Another way to support women-owned businesses is to purchase products or services from them. This can be done by making a conscious effort to seek out female-owned businesses or by supporting those that are already in your community. You can also help by spreading the word about these businesses through your networks. By doing this, you can help these small businesses grow and thrive. This in turn, will benefit the entire community.
4. Combat Negativity
Women empower themselves when they fight back against negative stereotypes, discrimination, and prejudice. By challenging these social barriers, women can break down limiting beliefs that prevent them from reaching their full potential.
In addition to the direct economic benefits, women’s empowerment also helps alleviate poverty and achieve international development goals. As women gain more spending power, they often use it to help their families and communities. This is why many NGOs have started to prioritize lending to women in developing countries.
Women can also help prevent war by advocating for peace and promoting economic development. A recent study found that when women are involved in national negotiation talks, the chances of preventing civil war increase significantly. This is why it’s important for all of us to support women, lift them up, and combat negativity with our words and actions. This will ensure that women continue to grow and reach their fullest potential!