“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish." – Michelle Obama
While people, in general, are divided by geography, color, and language, women around the world are united by the struggle they face every day. How many of us are asked: “How do you manage work and home?” Notice how many of our male colleagues are asked the same question. Maybe none.
In #India, gender disparity starts from the birth of a girl child. Even after years of “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” campaign, India’s sex ratio is still 930 females per 1,000 males. And this gender bias increases every step of the way, from education to the workplace. With a meager female labor force participation rate in the world, less than a quarter (23.6%) of women aged 15 and above participated in the labor force in 2018, compared to 78.6% of men.
We have all encountered gender disparity at home, in the workplace, and in life at some point. So how do we move forward toward more equal opportunities?
I’d say it boils down to three words, “Women Supporting Women.”
It Starts at Home
I’ve often heard the saying, “A strong woman raises a strong woman,” and I genuinely believe in this. The credit of my success, without a doubt, goes to my mother, who confronted multiple challenges to give me wings, from supporting me with the right to education to supporting my career choices. In my journey, numerous women have and continue to support me: my nanny who cares for my kids while I’m at work, my mother-in-law who fosters my family and our home, and my wonderful colleagues who complement my efforts. It’s because of all these strong women that I can intgrate work and my personal life and do my job to the best of my abilities.
The Power of a Pack
The Lion is not the tallest, heaviest, largest, or fastest animal on the planet, but it is still considered the king of the jungle. Ever wondered why? Lions live in groups, which are called prides because they know their strength is in numbers, and everyone has a significant part to play in their growth and survival. Pride, friends, network, no matter what we call it, like lions, we also need to harness the power of our pack to build success — not only for us but everyone.
Behind every successful woman is a tribe of successful women who have her back. When senior women leaders start supporting their peers and juniors, they create a domino effect. When they grow, their teams grow too, and this symbiotic relationship benefits the group, organization, and society.
More Power to Us
It’s incredibly encouraging to see some amazing leaders come forward and empower women who are just starting their careers. By hiring and promoting correctly, by giving well-deserved opportunities, and by encouraging them, women can help create a work culture where all females can thrive. To all the women who are discriminated at work, rise above, and support other women. Network with like-minded women whom you can collaborate with, strive for success and achieve greatness while supporting other women in your path. Be the change you want to see by treating all women equally.
It takes all of us to work together to create a workplace that fosters equality, mentorship, and growth.
One woman can make a difference, and together we can rock the world!
#ExtraMile