1.What is your definition of women empowerment?

Women believe in many things but often they believe the least in themselves. Powerful women support many people, often their husbands but least themselves.

It is often very hard for them to realize that they themselves are in charge of their lives. Most women across the world, of black, white or brown color, rich or poor, think that they are in charge of others around them – parents, life-partners, spouses, their adult children…

They put many thoughts into things and other people, but hardly into themselves.

Somehow, women have been conditioned into believing that they can’t be happy by themselves or that they can’t be their own hero and find themselves depending on others for their happiness and survival.

I want them to believe in themselves and proceed. I hear a lot of the term “helping women”. I think that is not really needed but maybe a little kick would do wonders. A kick, you will ask me now indignantly – YES, you read right, as women are so powerful – why do they need always that NGO’s and so forth. They are not disabled; they are simply physically less stronger as men. So what. They are mentally and with their so powerful – no need for women help in general, they have simply do realize that and live finally their power.

Women empowerment – I want to hear one day about men empowerment. Then I think women do what they actually have to take responsibility of.

2.What motivated you to get involved in being inspirational for change?

I know how beautiful and free people can be, how much amazing potential each person has inside, often sleeping.

Many people wasting their live-time withsenseless distractions, un-useful thoughts and worries, don’t have any structure in life, ignoring the call of life, and I know from my own story in life that people need guidance if they don’t want to invent all wheels for themselves. My own journey of suffering (overcome death in my close family in a very young age) was way too long. There are always people who can guide and help out. Why not using it instead of suffering alone and wasting time.

And I welcome and help whoever comes to me for guidance.This is my calling.

3.What are some key characteristics of an empowered person?

They have a vision of what they want to do in life, they know who they are, they don’t take themselves too serious and important, they know they are just one small part of the big picture. They are aware of how they feel, what to do and when, and they know when not to act, they lead people and give them freedom. They forecast and plan things in advance, they are capable to enjoy the only thing we have – the now. If conditions are not in their favor, they accept it, learn their lesson and know tomorrow is another day – “so what”.

4.What can leaders or individuals interested in advocacy do to facilitate empowerment?

They support while listening, asking the right questions, give space to grow, let them go from the leash and find their own style (way).

Leaders take care of peopleand thus generate more leaders.

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)

When you are ready to give up remind yourself why you even started that journey.

Cut off the word “failure” from your vocabulary forever, find solutions yourself! Celebrate your learning’s – every day.

All this is easier written than done. I know. Sometimes it needs guts to even recognize that we actually want to go a different way. And it needs guts to go your way despite all the advises.

I discuss in my book ‘Change Me’ this subject. The protagonist Amit gave up his dream of life because of his father’s expectations. The Life Coach Nathalie guided him to reflect how he gave up his own dream and followed another’s person dream.

This is maybe even more important to tell somebody – check if you really go your way!