HeartTalk.
Interview
1.What is your definition of women empowerment?
A woman is somebody who maintains a lot of roles within her; of a mother, daughter, sister , wife in her personal life and goes out in the world to make her own identity. In India a woman is referred to “Devi” as a goddess with multiple hands , as she is multitasking managing all the relations and roles at the same time. and Goddess Durga in particular is represented by the Goddess of Power (shakthi).
As the term empowerment refers to measures designed to increase the degree of autonomy and self-determination in people and in communities in order to enable them to represent their interests in a responsible and self-determined way, acting on their own authority. Women empowerment to me is where each woman should feel like Durga , a goddess of shakti , she should believe that she is a power house and feel that she can achieve whatever she wants.
2.What motivated you to get involved in being inspirational for change?
The subject of women empowerment has always been very close to my heart as I feel the challenges that I had to face while making my name in the industry should be overcome by my successors as an empowered woman its time for me that I give back to the society in which ever way I can and what could be a better way where I help other woman feel empowered where I could inspire them or train them so as they could find their living . It is a very gratifying experience even if my contribution would be like a drop in an ocean.
3.What are some key characteristics of an empowered person?
Confident
Believes in self
Self determination
4.What can leaders or individuals interested in advocacy do to facilitate empowerment?
I think everyone has a story and has something to contribute back in the society in various manners. Some where one could just be the motivator to make the set of women believe in themselves` and find their identity. This could be done by speaking to them, counselling them, getting them out of their comfort zone to find their identity by working at the grass root level. This might sound very simple but is the first step towards empowerment as big goals can be achieved by taking small steps.
Contributing towards the cause either monetarily by making the donations towards the cause or else contribute your own skills or volunteer towards the cause.
5.What advice would you give to those who want to give up due to a lack of empowered feeling, thinking and action? (e.g. What is an important first step)
The First and foremost thing before doing anything is to “believe in yourself” for those who give up due to lack of empowered feeling. Nothing can be achieved unless you feel and believe that you can do it and for sure , it is upon once you take a decision believing that you can do it , other changes will come around.
