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Empowerment coach Dr. Angela Butts Chester tells Bored Panda that empowering women in today’s society is important because women are important. “Women are in every facet of society, making the world go around. Empowered women make decisions in the areas of economic growth, social development, political stability, and overall community well-being. 

Women around the world every day make decisions that not only affect them but the next generation. They are our first teachers and our first caregivers. Many of us are the women we are today because of the love and care of our mothers and the women in our lives.”

Meanwhile, women's empowerment strategist and communication expert, Meg Bucaro, says, “Empowering the women of our world is incredibly important right now because of years of systems, laws, and thought processes that devalue women.  

Women's Empowerment is a vehicle to better support women in a world that has historically challenged their value, worth, offerings, and rights. And at the same time, this is a world that desperately needs women's contributions right now to make the world a better place for all.”

In order to make even more progress toward social change and equality, we have to be aware of the areas that hold women back and fix them. Dr. Angela Butts Chester says that concerns like gender-based violence, lack of access to education, legal discrimination, and health and economic inequality are the ones that stand out to her the most. 

“If I had to give it an all-inclusive phase – simply not being heard and believed when they speak up or speak out,” says Dr. Chester. “For example, legal discrimination limits the rights of women in the areas of inheritance, property ownership, marriage, and divorce. This perpetuates the inequalities. This only compounds when additional layers of inequality are added."

Bucaro believes that the thing that disempowers women the most is the Superwoman idea that women should be able to balance their responsibilities inside and outside of their homes perfectly.

“It gaslights women into thinking that something is wrong with them if they can not balance all of these responsibilities with those in their paid working role/s. If she is overwhelmed, tired, sick, or experiences a mental health decline, others wonder what is wrong with her. Yet, we do not fully understand the many roles women balance and the never-ending attempt to find a harmonious balance," she says.

Bucaro adds, “Obviously, any current cultural norms or laws that prohibit women from affording the same opportunities as their male counterparts are also quite damaging. However, I think once women refuse to succumb to the Superwoman ideal, that is when significant change can happen.”

What we can do to support and empower women, according to Dr. Chester, is to speak up for change. “When you see something that needs to be changed, addressed, or corrected, speak up and advocate for that change, regardless of your gender. As Gandhi famously said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Do the work. Assert yourself in the areas that matter most to you personally and in your community.”

Asking and listening can also help. “Engage with those who matter to you most—ask them what they need and how you can assist, both personally and within the larger community,” Dr. Chester says. “For instance, a new Mom might need time to rest or have some personal time; offering to take care of the kids for a few hours can be incredibly supportive. 

On a professional level, this means advocating for the advancement of the most qualified individuals, including women. Recognize and value their abilities without letting their roles as wives or mothers overshadow their professional qualifications. Every person matters in making the world a better place,” she explains.

Bucaro emphasizes the importance of asking questions and listening to women’s struggles. “Ask women what might help them to feel appropriately supported and help them to be the best version of themselves.”

“While there is so much out of our control, as women, from a day-to-day experience, I urge all of us to focus on what is under our control,” she says. “How we show up, present ourselves, prepare, and judge ourselves is up to us. Defining what the best version of ourselves actually looks like is an exercise in intentionality. Even if we could 'do it all'... why would we want to? I urge each woman to invest in herself and be intentional about her expectations and desires.”

Dr. Chester concludes by saying, “Let’s not forget that an important part of women’s empowerment is not anti-anything else. The women of the world are an amalgamation of all the people who have poured into her, as well as those who haven’t. Her learned behaviors, acquired knowledge, and personal experiences have helped make her the person she is today.”