One of the trends in the women’s empowerment movement is to expect and push women to be all-rounders. The call is to know and do everything independently and magnificently – manage the house budget, know how to do the taxes, help with the school work, deliver the work presentation, deck up for the family or social event, mind the Ps and Qs, develop a competitive mindset – and much more. The demand is to do it all with aplomb and impeccably. To create gender equality, society burdened women with the responsibility of being successful, within and outside the home.
Perfection is the barometer of this empowerment. It is exhausting to be projected as the domestic goddess and the work maverick with many arms. Women are expected to strive more, go the extra mile, adjust, sacrifice, have their choices questioned, and at the end of it all be perfect. This concept and expectation are flawed.
True empowerment is to allow women to decide and execute what is best for them, and within their capacity, even if imperfect. The goal of every woman is not to shatter the glass ceiling or acquire the corner office, or a place in the C-suite. The goal is to contribute and exercise the potential to elevate oneself mentally, spiritually, and economically. The social worker is doing an amazing job, so is the teacher, doctor, scientist, or the woman who wants to start a business from home, or wants to quit a job to stay home.
It’s all okay. An effort may not win an award or have a cushy label attached to it, or feature on a magazine cover. Each woman should be empowered to pursue happiness and success, on her terms, without the need to be perfect but with the courage and the resources to support her choices.
Also read – the difference amongst job, career, and calling.
Blue Pen Strokes 