Elite Women's Power: Equality over Empowerment?

“Men are from earth; women are from earth. Deal with it.”

While doing my research for this assignment, I lit on this quote by George Carlin, I could not hold a laugh and HAD to use it as the opening lines for this writing piece. It perfectly matches the whole idea of this write-up - Elite Women’s Power: Equality over Empowerment. In modern times, women in urban settings, are aware and informed about themselves and know their self-worth. Hence, may choose Equality over empowerment.

But what is ‘Empowerment’? Why is the term contextually associated with the upliftment of women? Why do women need to be empowered? Do women really need that? If yes, how and if not, why not? These are extremely pressing questions and the answers to them will probably need serious introspection as well as retrospection on our part.

“Women are responsible for two-thirds of the work done worldwide, yet earn only 10 percent of the total income and 1 percent of the property…. So, are we equal? Until the answer is yes, we must not stop asking"- By Daniel Craig.

The word empowerment means to bestow the power of something to someone. So, why do we, as a society think our women need to be given the power to do anything; are they not born with it? After all, women have a natural ability to deal with ambiguity, they have the mastery to dive into the jaws of the unknown and rise like the conqueror.

Be it a marriage, motherhood, or a magnificent professional career, we see strong and capable women everywhere, giving their best. Here is a quote by Nancy Pelosi, that reflects the same thought- “Women are leaders everywhere you look—from the CEO who runs a Fortune 500 company to the housewife who raises her children and heads her household. Our country was built by strong women, and we will

continue to break down walls and defy stereotypes.”

“Anybody who knows anything of history knows great social changes are impossible without feminine ferment.”- By Karl Mark. Truth be told, most, if not all women, need some postulation to perceive their role in society. Many women are accustomed to subordination, underestimation, and being underrated. They have almost, lost the idea of self-love, self-respect, and equality.

In this context, the concept of empowerment would probably make more sense. Giving these women in the society the power of encouragement, realization, and support to uplift themselves and realize their self-worth. Reminds me of yet another quote, this time by Beyonce, “Your self-worth is determined by you. You don’t have to depend on someone telling you who you are.”

Today when we see, able, competent, and confident men from our society come out and take initiative to celebrate women and their achievements; we know, we as a society are heading in the right direction, where one will be acknowledged for their abilities and contributions and it will have nothing to do with their gender. “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders.”- Sheryl Sandberg.

In the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, the Women’s history month is celebrated during March, corresponding with the celebration of International Women’s Day, on March 8. This is to observe the incredible contribution and accomplishments that women have made throughout history as well as recent times. In Canada, however, this is celebrated in October, corresponding with the

celebration of Person’s Day on October 18. Today, the celebration of International Women’s Day has

become a key global event.

So, on the occasion of International Women’s Day/Month, here are a few more power-packed quotes by powerful women from around the world:

“I want every little girl who’s been told she’s bossy to be told again she has leadership skills.” —Sheryl Sandberg, COO at Facebook.

“Follow your passion — and if you don’t know what it is, realize that one reason for your existence on

earth is to find it.” —Oprah Winfrey.

“Fearlessness is not the absence of fear. It’s the mastery of fear. It’s about getting up one more time than we fall down.” —Arianna Huffington, editor in chief of The Huffington Post.

“I wanted to stand for those women who want to be beautiful for themselves, not for men or other women.” – Falguni Nayar.

"Don't think about making women fit the world — think about making the world fit women.” Gloria Steinem.

"If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman."- Margaret Thatcher.

“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.”- Dolly Parton.

By- Amrita Bhattacharjee.

Independent PR and Communications Professional.

Email: [email protected]

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References and links:

Internet, open sources.

Wikipedia

https://squareup.com/us/en/townsquare/10-inspirational-quotes-from-women-entrepreneurs

https://www.google.com/amp/s/thestoryexchange.org/9-motivational-quotes-famous-women- entrepreneurs/amp/