Women Empowerment or Women Survival ? by Ma’isha Beebeejaun

Ma’isha Beebeejaun

Gone are those days where Presidents, Prime Ministers, CEOs, Managing Director, Entrepreneurs amongst other were all men. Today, women have caused a revolution. Jacinda Arden is Prime Minister of New Zealand; Christine Lagarde, former Chairperson and Managing Director of the international monetary fund (IMF) is today the Head of the European Central Bank. Twenty nine countries currently have women serving as heads of state or government, as of 29 November 2019. Our time has now come to follow such great women leaders. Women Empowerment is a movement that includes respect, honour and recognition toward all women. As females, we are often abused physically, mentally and emotionally as we are seen weak. We are categorized as the ones who have to take care of our homes’ kitchens and ensure that babies are well fed. Indeed, one day we will have to go through these life stages if we want to but those do not define us, they are not the only reasons why we were created. We were not made to live on the oldfashioned sexist terms. Ladies, we are here to make an impact. As a 17 year old, I have to admit that there certainly is competition between girls. For instance, one does not like it when another girl does better than her in class. But why don’t we all become BOSSBABES? Bossbabes are women who know that they are the business. Rather than fighting other females, let us come together as a collective and clap when other women win instead of bothering our peace by playing with fire. Remember, that if something costs you your peace, then it is too expensive. It is crucial to empower women, for it is a matter of our survival. Women are still discriminated based on their gender. They are still paid less than men, expected to cook and clean. Due to their religions and culture, some are not allowed to pursue further studies and are forced to get married at a young age by their parents. An example can be the new law in Pakistan where underage girls can be married as long as they have had their first menstrual cycle, in accordance with Shari’a Law. This happens maybe because women are not given enough appreciation in society and are valued less than men. In addition, women have to also face other major challenges such as domestic violence, femicide, rape cases, child bride, patriarchy, sexism, racism and economic inequality. This occurs because women are not well educated on their rights in the society, bearing in mind that their rights are human rights. Nevertheless, we should not wave the white flag. There are still multiple ways to strengthen our Queendom. One of them is something we are already blessed with – Education. However, this does not mean that the road of learning and discoveries has a stop. It is a lifelong journey. Women Empowerment or

Women Survival?

Secondly, women should have equal rights to facilities like healthcare. Thirdly, by encouraging women to join the workforce while going onto training programmes, and carrying on with their tertiary education. Fourthly, by making them economically active while engaging in the political sphere. There is not enough women at the table and in positions of power. There are also other methods to reinforce the status of women by, inter alia:- • Providing the ticket to a better life for example Clean Water, • Supporting girls and women in crisis, • Mentoring a girl close to home, • Investing in a small business owned by a woman, • Using your voice to keep girls in school, • Helping a new mom, • Telling the women in your life that you care! “The most alluring thing a woman can have is confidence,” says Beyoncé. I believe it’s true, because how can a woman or a girl be beautiful and powerful if she does not believe in herself, doubting her own potential? For sure, true victory comes from within. A woman achieving her goals is impressive. When she feels like quitting because the wind is not at her back, she resists and tells herself that she got this. No matter what, she can and she will. My dear sisters, we are no longer in parda. VIVA WOMEN POWER!