It was just a few months ago, ironically on the threshold of the lockdown, that we celebrated International Women’s day, where the main theme was the attainment of global gender equality, through self-empowerment. This month we have been celebrating our National Women’s Month and more than ever we have been shown how necessary this initiative is.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, almost 2/3rds of the jobs that were lost were by women. Certainly, women are the primary nurturers and in two-income homes would have been assigned to be the ones who focussed on the housebound children, but this still pointed squarely to gender equality. In a country where many children are fatherless, just imagine the impact on the women who are the sole breadwinners!
Change must be actioned
We can’t sit around simply waiting for things to change on their own as gender equality is something that women have been seeking for many generations and probably will continue to do so for many years to come. Without a doubt, women need to, through their own self-empowerment, action this change.
Shining examples
If we look at some of the women who have been great role models for other women, we see a kind of common strength and resilience, but it doesn’t belie their femininity.
Recently Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive nominee for President of the United States, announced that he had selected Senator Kamala Harris of California as his running mate for the next elections – the first black American woman to be in such a position. Harris is an inspiration and there have been many others – like Mother Theresa, Brené Brown, Oprah Winfrey and a personal favourite – Eleanor Roosevelt.
Eleanor inspired women with quotes like “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent” and “Do what you feel in your heart to be right for you’ll be criticized anyway.” In essence, both these statements beckon women to take ownership of who they are. Unless they do that the perception that men have of them will not change.
Shifting perceptions is the key
D.H. Lawrence once remarked that “The future of humanity will be decided not by relations between nations, but by relations between women and men.” The problems that we face regarding gender equality goes right back to perceptions that are formed as children and young adults. We need to change these perceptions if women are to accept their own power and men are to respect that they possess it.
We need to examine what we are teaching our Sons and Daughters. If the sole objective for the young woman is the home with the picket fence and a subservient role as the homemaker – and the young man is not taught a healthy respect for women, or to see her as an equal in every respect, we cannot expect gender equality to just happen.
Women need to stop feeling like the weaker sex – to realise that they have a position of great influence and responsibility in the home or the workplace and they are capable of making the same choices as male counterparts.
Overcoming obstacles in the self
Through my personal coaching and TRE sessions in my business Self and More, I help women and men to shift the filtered perceptions about each other and empower themselves. In so doing, they build better relationships and become more satisfied and self-sufficient individuals.
Women don’t need to wear business suits and high heels to impress men and men don’t need to feel threatened by any woman who doesn’t! I’m here for you, to hear you and assist you to embrace and incorporate body, mind and soul to create one balanced holistic human being. Let me help. Stay in the self – and stay safe!