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Lifestyle

My favourite quote on women reads, “here’s to strong you may forget what it is like on the other side. I am
women, may we know them, may we be them, may we learning that sometimes, empowering other women
raise them” – Unkown. means taking a step
back. This may be by
For me, this quote saying,
is about being a
trailblazer who “Thank you for thinking
is strong and of me, unfortunately, I
determined. One who am unable to be a part
is confident enough to of this opportunity,
be among other strong but have you heard
women without feeling of?.. She could really
it deems her light. And most importantly, a woman who benefit from this.” Taking up space is important and
will pass the baton on to the next woman. I recently encouraged, but creating room for other women where
took this quote and reflected on what it takes to be all you have already taken up space, is the justful next step.
these things. The breakdown of the various parts of the
quote, came when an audience question during a panel What can we do to bring more women into these
discussion I was on, left a lasting impression on me. It rooms? How do we increase the number of seats at
challenged us to answer honestly, who we saw when we the table? The solution to this, might be to identify
looked around the room? the different types of empowerment needs of divese
women from different communities. This will inturn
Sitting on the panel brought to my awareness the view assist in providing the appopiate support and network.
of the Table Mountain to my right, before me - women And maybe, elevate these women at different paces.
who for the most part looked, sounded or had similar We cannot solve all the problems, but we could start by
background to mine, the few men - the allies women expanding the areas that we offer our expertise, time
empowerment movements need and finally to my left; and resources.
fancy tall buildings in the shadow of the Cape Town
sunset.Where was the diversity and inclusivity in the Women empowerment, has its focus areas; ranging
room? Yes, it was diverse by maybe race, age and from education, healthcare, capacity development,
professional background, but indeed, we were in a economic empowerment, rights awareness and
room full of more or less, us.Many women can relate to advocacy. The degrees to which these needs are met,
being at empowerment events that either has the same vary from community to community. Empowerment
regular people and not much of an opening of these is at many levels, for some women in lesser served
networks, that may over time seem almost elitist. communities, their immediate needs may not be board
room access or representation, but access to family
Women empowerment should be as diverse as it is planning options that allow for child spacing. In another
inclusive. community, it may be girls in desperate need of sanitary
products, without which they cannot freely attend a full
This isnt a unique school year without
scenario, and in no interruptions.
way to discredit the
much needed platforms The grass root
and events that bring examples are plenty.
women together, Adressing them, might
to create networks start to solve problems
of support for each and possibly, elongate
other and impact. I the issue list. Elevating
am a beneficiary of others, allows them
women’s networks access to life changing
that have elevated me, opportunities.
and created amazing Eventually, we place
opportunities that I may these women and
not have had otherwise. girls, into the pipeline,
hoping to be the future
According to Hivos, “The and present of women
majority of women still who rise to leadership.
work in informal jobs,
under poor working We ultimately want
conditions and without equality across
earning a living wage.” political, social,
When you arent this economic, cultural and
woman, it is easy social spaces. We all
to forget that other need to do our part
women don’t have as in supporting women
much access as you do. and girls, especially
those outside our
I have been an outsider social circles or
to certain networks community. Support
that I only now have a cause, go outside of
access to. Subsequent your community and
to becoming an insider, comfort zone.

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