With the recently celebrated International Women’s Day, came plenty of excitement. That of spaces livened by the March 8th event. These included physical and virtual events, write ups, posts and pictures of global happenings to mark the special day. The same agenda gathered ladies together for enlightening sessions and cascades of empowering information. Professional communities all over the world struck the gender equality pose generating plenty of online content. Social platform algorithms lived their best life too populating our timelines. All these efforts yielded increased awareness and secured reaffirmation of commitment by institutions and organizations’ leadership. Commitment towards better gender policies and assurance of more support in favour of gender equality.
For women who by fate or chance are in environments where this discussion has the buy in and sponsorship at influential levels, the outcome of such awareness is likely to have a positive impact. The awareness drives have a better chance to secure community support and keep them informed enough to identify and pursue opportunities to better their lives. These include chances for them to meet and connect with mentors for capacity building. The environment sets them up to thrive and ‘stay woke’.
Let’s shift for a moment to the other side. The side where March 8th is not special and this day passed quietly and unnoticed. Perhaps because little is known about it or there are other pressing matters to deal with. These could be spaces of school going youth for whom all that matters is studies and passing exams. Communities, institutions and organizations where discussions are taking place alright but these are centered on profits, customers and perhaps the bottom line. Or communities where prevailing culture is strongly set and almost asks, “…International Women’s Day? …What about it? …Is there any problem…?” No doubt, for communities in these places, little awareness took place to drive women empowerment. What could be, what is missing and what could be done differently did not feature as strongly in their conversations as other places. Thus, going by that day, minimal change is anticipated.
These different surrounding circumstances brings to light the environment as a factor to contend with in women empowerment. Where is the target group and who are they? What do they practice and why should the message matter to them? Taking time to understand the habitats, everyday way of life of the beneficiaries is a worthwhile process for increased reach, impact and development. Here, data findings may inform the best approach to incorporate successful strategies that strive to leave no one behind.
“This is how we have always done it…” though sounding casual, may indicate a mindset resistant to even good change. If underestimated, can become a hindrance, almost a competitor to progress. Reality is that these environments exist. If the latter environment is the case, involuntary change is unlikely to flourish and would lag the desired social development. Consideration for the culture, community involvement and data driven development programs would compliment the passion for change and yield great impact.
Increasing numbers of women getting exposed to environments where they have more opportunities for empowerment is commendable. At the same time, how can the same conversation unfold naturally in all native environments? Strategic and deliberate efforts are critical to achieve this level of gender harmony. Blending in women empowerment tactics that complement the cultures of their very environments means increased community reach and impact. All these without rocking the boat too much. This will onboard and unite everyone across the world for this noble cause. It is a possibility to have each person live their best life and thrive. Everywhere.
Article first published by Barbara Akelo © Acumen4D
*Painting by John Ndungu