They say a woman alone still possesses power, but women together can create an impact. Because there were so few jobs at the top, we women were encouraged to be competitive with one another in the past. That plan is ineffective. The reality is, lifting each other and harnessing the power of collaboration is the only way we'll be able to change the equation—and have a lot more fun while doing it.
The power of collective action and community is undeniable, and today's women are more energised and connected than ever before.
Here are some powerful ways to support women in various aspects of your life:
1. Validate Women's Self-Expression
In the media and popular culture, women's stories are severely underrepresented. So, when you witness a woman bravely sharing her storey and allowing herself to be vulnerable, applaud her courage.
2. Check Your Assumptions At Work
The fact that you identify as a woman does not exempt you from bias or absolve you of responsibility for oppressing others. Recognise your unconscious biases towards other women based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender expression, physical abilities, body type, and socioeconomic status. Check your own unconscious biases, and raise the voices of women of colour, or people of a different caste or class, in your industry who face additional biases in the workplace. Systemic prejudice is frequently caused by unconscious biases. When you detect a lack of inclusivity and diversity in your workplace, start by reviewing your own opinions and supporting the discussion of biases in your company.
3. Prioritise Solitude
Women are indoctrinated to put other people's needs ahead of their own, so acknowledging and supporting their alone time is an excellent method to empower them.
We sometimes overlook the significance of disconnecting and isolating ourselves from others to concentrate on what is going on in our life. Alone time not only benefits your overall health but also improves the quality of your interactions with other women. Make time for yourself on your calendar so that you can rejuvenate your mind and body. Encourage other women to set aside time for themselves and to not be afraid to take lunch alone when they need to decompress at work.
4. Talk About Your Periods
Because of the puritanical fear of female sexuality and desire, people with vaginas have a lot of information about their bodies, which sometimes is not as informative as it should be. Being transparent about our bodies is the most effective method to dispel this stigma. Discuss your menstruation with your pal and inquire about hers. 'I think it's the worst thing we do to each other as women, not to tell the truth about our bodies and how they work,' Michelle Obama once remarked.
Likewise, keep in mind that not all women menstruate, and not all menstruators are female. If you're talking about menstrual periods and vulvas, avoid using gendered language unless you're talking about women who have them.
5. Thank Women For All Their Gestures
According to numerous studies, women perform a significant amount of organisational and emotional labour, much of which goes unappreciated and unacknowledged. Directly acknowledging women's efforts to aid the team, family, or household is a terrific way to make them feel valued. Make a point of observing other people's actions and then taking the time to thank them for anything simple they did, such as refilling the copier paper, handing in a report early, or asking you about your day. Being 'seen' gives you a lot of power. Small gestures and helpful actions are frequently ignored, especially when performed by a woman, but they are among the most beneficial behaviours in sustaining a smooth and collaborative working atmosphere.
6. Encourage And Accept Compliments
Women have been conditioned to dismiss praises about their abilities, accomplishments, self-presentation, and the list goes on. Encourage one another to simply say 'thank you' when someone recognises your hard work, accomplishments, or beautiful style. Owning these things, first and foremost within oneself, and then via the recognition of others, allows one to be recognised and seen strongly. Compliments are sometimes considered as a sign of politeness, but we should encourage one other to see our own excellence!
7. Gather Together
By showing up and allowing our collective and united presence to be known in public settings, we can empower and affirm one another. This could take the form of showing up to an event in support, writing supportive comments on online posts and works, arriving at a meeting together, sitting side by side at an event or meeting, and, for safety reasons, going to our automobiles, buses, or trains together.
8. Voice Your Concern For Women's Suffering, Even If You're Not A Part Of It
Most women have it tough, and when intersectional identities are taken into account, there's virtually always a subset of women who have it much harder. Accept all women's pain as your own. It's not that you have to suffer, but if women are treated unfairly anyplace, it affects us all. Choose a cause to support or join, whether it's distributing period supplies, volunteering at a shelter or a hotline, or running for office.
9. Help Other Women Take Time
When it comes to slowing down and taking the time we need for self-care, we sometimes need reminders to make sure we do so. In this approach, being a reinforcer for one another could mean assisting in the creation of the space and container for self-care time to take place. For example, covering a sister friend's workload or chores, picking up her children and giving her time off, assisting her in removing herself from her rigid routine and life for a while, running her a spa-style bath at her home or yours, scheduling her a massage or other spa treatment, making her a nourishing herbal tonic to slow down and gather herself, and simply assisting her in pausing her life and not allowing her to resume until she is refuelled, This is a wonderful method for us to serve the ones we care about as vessels.
10. Return The Favour
Last but not least, make sure you're repaying the women who have given you so much. Sending one another encouraging messages is a fantastic way to empower, encourage, and support one another. This must be reciprocal so that everyone benefits and contributes to the friendship's growth. Don't leave the friendship up to the other women you care about. Show up, help out, and be serious about it. That gives you a lot of power.