FLIGHTS OF FREEDOM

Emancipation and empowerment of women is of prime importance in every society. In our country, we have achieved partial success, but we still have a long way to go. What should we do to achieve this goal? Here is a speech on the requisites of women empowerment THE 3LS OF EMPOWERMENT Good afternoon. It is great to be among friends and kindred spirits. The 21st century poses many challenges that require new ways of thinking, none more important than the economic role of women in a rapidly changing world. But women today remain blocked from contributing their true potential. This has a huge cost. In some countries, per capita income lag significantly because women are denied equal opportunity. They represent half the world's population, but contribute far less than 50 per cent of economic activity. What is needed to change this picture is a concerted effort to open the door to opportunity with what I call the 3Ls of women's empowerment: Learning, Labour and Leadership.First about learning: Education is the foundation upon which any change is built. Learning helps to women to help themselves and break the shackles of exclusion. Nowhere is this more essential than in the developing world. There is an African adage that goes: " If you educate a boy, you train a man. If you educate a girl, you train a village." If learning is just the first step, labour is the second. Labour facilities women to flourish and achieve their true potential. But at present, when women participate in the workforce, they too often tend to get stuck in low - paying, low- status and low-security jobs. Globally, women earn only three quarters as much as men-even with the same level of education and in the same level of occupation. Surely, one of our most basic norms should be "equal pay for equal work"Recent researches show that eliminating gender gaps in economic participation can bring an increase in per capita income. We can undoubtedly promote more opportunity for women in workplace. It is all about changing laws; for example, by ensuring that property and inheritance laws do not discriminate against women. It also means policies that encourage education and health care. Moreover, we need to provide greater access to credit so that women can achieve greater economic independence. So, learning and labour are key factors. The third L is leadership that enables women to rise and fulfil their innate abilities and talents. Here plenty of room for improvement. The irony is that when women lead they tend to do as good a job. They are more likely to make decisions based on consensus -building, inclusion, compassion and with a focus on long - term sustainability. It is true that women sometimes lack the confidence to match their competence. But they need to change that mindset and reset the narrative in their favour. So it is essential that women be ready to " date the difference " - to take risks and step outside their comfort zones. Nonetheless, even those with the drive to succeed continue to face barriers : whether we are talking about providing primary education for girls in a village, or executive positions for women in business. It is time to create a world where all women can meet their potential without impediment or prejudice and the world will reap the benefits. The three Ls will help us get there. If we dare the difference, the difference will deliver. Thank you very much. ********************* And another is poem : ANY WOMEN I AM THE PILLERS OF THE HOUSE THE KEYSTONE OF THE ARCH AM I TAKE ME AWAY, AND ROOF AND WALL WOULD FALL TO RUIN ME UTTERLY ****** I AM THE FIRE UPON THE HEARTH I AM THE LIGHT OF THE GOOD SUN I AM THE HEAT THAT WARMS THE EARTH WHICH ELSE WERE COLDER THAN A STONE ****** AT ME THE CHILDREN WARM THEIR HANDS I AM THEIR LIGHT OF LOVE ALIVE. WITHOUT ME COLD THE HEARTHSTONE STANDS NOR COULD THE PRECIOUS CHILDREN THRIVE ****** I AM THE TWIST THAT HOLDS TOGETHER THE CHILDREN IN ITS SACRED RING THEIR KNOT OF LOVE, FROM WHOSE CLOSE TETHER NO LOST CHILD GOES A -WANDERING ******