Language fascinates me, and words are powerful. It is said that words are mightier than the sword. I’ve been thinking a lot about the word ‘empower’ and what it means in the life of a woman. The Oxford dictionary says, “it is being confident and in control of your life.” Webster says “having the knowledge, confidence, means, or ability to do things or make decisions for oneself. “
Women struggle with empowerment often because of societal barriers that foster inequality, familial, religious, or spousal conditioning, lack of financial independence, and education. Women find themselves confined in roles that prevent them from embracing their potential, recognizing their worth, or developing strong self-esteem. They stay caged and locked into a life that is crafted for them by outside forces, not one that is grown and nurtured from within. Empowerment is a continuous process of breaking free of stereotypes, gaining agency and the freedom to define one’s own life.
A patriarchal system, structural discrimination, and insufficient education or financial stability prevent some women from achieving empowerment. Dangerous stereotypes include unequal domestic burdens, violence in the home, and misogyny, all of which prevent women from being able to make strategic life choices. Dismantling these structural barriers will free women, allowing them to recognize and achieve their goals.
I say “recognize” because some women do not know that they can even have goals, never mind fulfill them. The patriarchal system locked me in as a young girl, leaving me unaware that I had the “right” to goals or choices. It took a lot of unlocking to gain a foothold and move forward with confidence.
When women are empowered and free, their lives are transformed. Empowerment gives women the tools to claim their rights, reducing their vulnerability to violence and exploitation.
Economic independence is so important, (just one extra year of schooling for a girl boosts her wage-earning capacity by 10-20 percent). Empowered women have stronger decision-making power, self-confidence, and better mental and physical health, resulting in reduced poverty, breaking the cycles of inequality, and leading to true autonomy. According to Girls’ Globe, “Empowered women also impact their communities by investing 90% of their income back into their families, supporting stronger families and better education for children.” Empowered women are in leadership roles, making
When empowered women are in leadership roles, they help to create a more inclusive, innovative, and prosperous life for all of us. Women need seats at the table to challenge existing structures and drive change. They address gender bias, support mentoring, uplift other women, invest in leadership development and organizations that help other women achieve their full potential. They cultivate environments where ALL can thrive. It is important globally as well as locally because when women thrive, communities prosper. An increased number of women in leadership correlates with lower mortality rates and increased corporate investment in sustainability. These women move beyond external validation and show the world that self-worth comes from within and not from external approval or validation – hey are awake, aware, courageous, and powerful!
These are some powerful women leaders for whom I have great respect. They inspire me and I hope they inspire you.
Young Greta Thurnberg, the Swedish environmental activist, has mobilized youth across the globe against climate change. She speaks truth to power unabashedly regularly.
Nadia Murad, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, advocates for victims of sexual violence.
Jacinda Ardern, the 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand, is celebrated for her leadership while balancing motherhood while successfully holding high office. A Labor Party leader known for her empathetic but progressive leadership was one of the world’s youngest female head of government at 37. She led her country through the COVID pandemic and the Christchurch mosque massacre.
Bozoma “Boz” Saint John is a trailblazing Ghanaian-American marketing executive, author, entrepreneur, and renowned for her leadership at top global brands: Netflix, Endeavor, Uber, and Apple Music. Multiple halls of fame have inducted her, and people know her for her authentic branding, bold creativity, and as the author of the memoir, “The Urgent Life.”
Lina Khalifeh is from Jordan and is an award-winning black belt taekwondo champion. Realizing that acts of aggression and sexual harassment were common in Jordan, and witnessing a friend experiencing that violence, she began giving mixed martial arts self-defense classes in her basement. In 2012, she opened a center, “She Fighter”, to continue her work helping women defend themselves.
Damilola Odufuwa is a Nigerian feminist leader, advocate, and entrepreneur. She is the Head of Product Communications at Finance Africa and the co-founder and CEO of Backdrop(a social networking and photo-sharing app that enables users to discover and share remarkable places across the globe) and co-founder of the Feminist coalition and Wine & Whine.
Odunayo Ewenlyl has partnered with Damilola as co-founder of Backdrop, the Feminist Coalition and Wine & Whine. They are quite a dynamic duo.
Amanda Gorman is an American poet and activist. In 2017, she was the first person named National Youth Poet Laureate. Her international fame comes from her recitation of “The Hill We Climb,” read at President Biden’s inauguration. She is a Harvard graduate in sociology, and her work focuses on race, feminism, and marginalization.
Maria Ressa, a Filipino-American journalist, author, and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, has earned acclaim for her fearless reporting on authoritarianism and her vigorous defense of the freedom of the press. She is co-founder of the news website Rappler.
Halima Aden is a UNICEF Ambassador tirelessly advocating for refugee children and a Somali-American fashion model and activist. Fame reached her as the first hijab-wearing model to sign with a major modeling agency (IMG Models) and walk international runways with grace and appearing on many magazine covers. She was born I a Kenyan refugee camp and came to the U.S. when she was seven. She also made history by competing in the 2016 Miss Minnesota USA pageant wearing a hijab and Burkina.
Phoebe Schecter is a trailblazer in sports as a female NFL coach. She is a British-American NFL analyst and commentator, and coach for the Buffalo Bills. She coached two other teams, Bryant University and Stanford University, ultimately returning to the Bills as a tight-end coach. She is a former captain of the Great Britain women’s National American football team.
These women had conviction, were resilient, and used their power and influence to uplift others. Empowerment is not something that was “given” to us. It is our birthright, but often we are unaware of it. Awakening to our innate power—and living from that truth—naturally empowers us.
