Happy International Women’s week! This Sunday is International Women’s Day which is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The theme this year is #EachforEqual, an equal world is an enabled world.
International Women’s Day teaches us that alone we are responsible for our thoughts and actions, but together we can unite to fight bias, challenge stereotypes and celebrate women’s achievements. We have come such a long way- we need to work together and include men so that we can all progress together.
Did you know that in many countries, women still get paid less than men for doing the exact same job? In some parts of the world, women aren’t allowed to get an education or own land. Despite all the achievements that women have made throughout history, there are still many reasons why we have to continue to fight for equality.
Something dear to my heart is gender equality, which benefits everyone. When women are empowered it boosts education levels, creates jobs, promotes productivity, and alleviates poverty. We need to find new ways to eliminate gender stereotypes as they continue to limit women to develop their personal abilities, make choices about their lives and pursue the career of their choice. Harmful stereotypes can leave a negative impact on women.
As a confident woman, I want to do everything I can to help other women find and use their voices and feel beautiful in their own skin. As someone who grew up with three older brothers and as the only girl, I had to be bold and confident to be heard. They challenged me to be the best version of me. Confidence is all about believing in yourself. It’s about taking pride in what you do and doing the things everyday that make you proud of yourself.
I also want curvy women to love their bodies, show them off and be confident in their style and fashion choices. I don’t want women to hold back from the joys of life out of fear of how their bodies look.
So on this International Women’s Day, I will raise my glass and celebrate women around the world as I continue to work hard to empower girls to love themselves and break down the barriers of the “slender is beautiful” stereotype.