In some societies, women are still discriminated by their gender and are not given the same rights as men. Gender bias prevents them from living an independent life free of fear and domination. For women to strive towards their best, they must possess the self-worth, confidence and freedom to decide with regard to their private and professional choices.
Growing up in the 80s and 90s, many of us would remember the names Yasmin Ahmad, Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza, Datuk Nicol Ann David, and Michelle Yeoh?
- Yasmin Ahmad was our talented Malaysian filmmaker, writer and scriptwriter whose movie titles Sepet and Gubra have made waves in the movie industry.
- Famously known as Malaysia’s Queen of Pop, Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza’s strong influence and presence in the entertainment industry was undeniable.
- There was no other squash player who could dominate the court quite like Datuk Nicol Ann David who was recognised as the greatest squash player of all time.
And let’s not forget the effervescent Michelle Yeoh. A legendary actress who needs no introduction, whose name has appeared time and time again in many Hong Kong and Hollywood movies such as Memoirs of a Geisha, Crazy Rich Asians, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
As issues of women’s economic empowerment and gender equality gain momentum on the global stage, we can implement the measures below to reduce the gender gap and promote economic equality.
Women are equally intelligent and capable
Women are as equally competent as men, which makes their presence in the work front extremely important. Women are also capable of showcasing their talents when the opportunity arises. Hence, it is necessary to ensure that they are given a chance to compete on the same level as men.
Promote an overall development of society
Why shouldn’t a woman be a part of a work environment which is dominated by men? After all, cooking has always been associated with women in the earlier days. Yet, the roles have reversed and men as chefs today are doing well across the globe, breaking the stereotype of image of a woman in her role in the kitchen.
Grant women economic independence
Women empowerment is crucial in fostering economic independence among women. They have the capacity to add value to the economic benefits of the society, why shouldn’t they have the chance to do so? Women deserve to live independent lives and should not have to sacrifice their independence for the sake of old school values that are rarely practised today.
Reduce the scope of domestic and sexual exploitation
It is vital that women understand what acceptable behaviour is, in order to fight against it. This is why education is very important and it is key towards women empowerment. When independence is acquired, all manners of exploitation can be dodged, including domestic violence and sexual exploitation even in marriage.
Women empowerment can help to stimulate their confidence by helping them see the skills they possess. It can bring forth a change to the world to break stereotypes and assist in the greater benefit of the society, the nation and the world.
