Advocacy

Women Empowered works towards the strengthening and restoring of each woman, who holds within her, the ability to create a better world for herself and those around her. We want to see women be empowered- socially, economically and personally.

 

To this extent, we strongly believe in advocacy; to be able to step in for the needs and rights of women in situations that do not give them that privilege.

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

Benefits of economic empowerment

  • When more women work, economies grow. An increase in female labour force participation—or a reduction in the gap between women’s and men’s labour force participation—results in faster economic growth.
  • Evidence from a range of countries shows that increasing the share of household income controlled by women, either through their own earnings or cash transfers, changes spending in ways that benefit children.
  • A study using data from 219 countries from 1970 to 2009 found that, for every one additional year of education for women of reproductive age, child mortality decreased by 9.5 per cent.
  • Women tend to have less access to formal financial institutions and saving mechanisms. While 55 per cent of men report having an account at a formal financial institution, only 47 per cent of women do worldwide. This gap is largest among lower middle-income economies as well as in South Asia and the Middle East and North Africa.
  • Increasing women and girls’ education contributes to higher economic growth. Increased educational attainment accounts for about 50 per cent of the economic growth in OECD countries over the past 50 years, of which over half is due to girls having had access to higher levels of education and achieving greater equality in the number of years spent in education between men and women. But, for the majority of women, significant gains in education have not translated into better labour market outcomes

The world of work

  • Women continue to participate in labour markets on an unequal basis with men. In 2013, the male employment-to-population ratio stood at 72.2 per cent, while the ratio for females was 47.1 per cent.
  • Globally, women are paid less than men. Women in most countries earn on average only 60 to 75 per cent of men’s wages. Contributing factors include the fact that women are more likely to be wage workers and unpaid family workers; that women are more likely to engage in low-productivity activities and to work in the informal sector, with less mobility to the formal sector than men; the view of women as economic dependents; and the likelihood that women are in unorganized sectors or not represented in unions.
  • It is calculated that women could increase their income globally by up to 76 per cent if the employment participation gap and the wage gap between women and men were closed. This is calculated to have a global value of USD 17 trillion.
  • Women bear disproportionate responsibility for unpaid care work. Women devote 1 to 3 hours more a day to housework than men; 2 to 10 times the amount of time a day to care (for children, elderly, and the sick), and 1 to 4 hours less a day to market activities. In the European Union for example, 25 per cent of women report care and other family and personal responsibilities as the reason for not being in the labour force, versus only three per cent of men. This directly and negatively impacts women’s participation in the labour force.
  • Gender inequalities in time use are still large and persistent in all countries. When paid and unpaid work are combined, women in developing countries work more than men, with less time for education, leisure, political participation and self-care. Despite some improvements over the last 50 years, in virtually every country, men spend more time on leisure each day while women spend more time doing unpaid housework.
  • Women are more likely than men to work in informal employment. In South Asia, over 80 per cent of women in non-agricultural jobs are in informal employment, in sub-Saharan Africa, 74 per cent, and in Latin America and the Caribbean, 54 per cent. In rural areas, many women derive their livelihoods from small-scale farming, almost always informal and often unpaid.
  • More women than men work in vulnerable, low-paid, or undervalued jobs. As of 2013, 49.1 per cent of the world’s working women were in vulnerable employment, often unprotected by labour legislation, compared to 46.9 per cent of men. Women were far more likely than men to be in vulnerable employment in East Asia (50.3 per cent versus 42.3 per cent), South-East Asia and the Pacific (63.1 per cent versus 56 per cent), South Asia (80.9 per cent versus 74.4 per cent), North Africa (54.7 per cent versus 30.2 per cent), the Middle East (33.2 per cent versus 23.7 per cent) and Sub-Saharan Africa (nearly 85.5 per cent versus 70.5 per cent).
  • Gender differences in laws affect both developing and developed economies, and women in all regions. Almost 90 per cent of 143 economies studied have at least one legal difference restricting women’s economic opportunities. Of those, 79 economies have laws that restrict the types of jobs that women can do. And husbands can object to their wives working and prevent them from accepting jobs in 15 economies.
  • Women’s economic equality is good for business. Companies greatly benefit from increasing leadership opportunities for women, which is shown to increase organizational effectiveness. It is estimated that companies with three or more women in senior management functions score higher in all dimensions of organizational effectiveness.
  • Ethnicity and gender interact to create especially large pay gaps for minority women. In 2013 in the US for instance, “women of all major racial and ethnic groups earn less than men of the same group, and also earn less than white men…Hispanic women’s median earnings were USD 541 per week of full-time work, only 61.2 per cent of white men’s median weekly earnings, but 91.1 per cent of the median weekly earnings of Hispanic men (because Hispanic men also have low earnings). The median weekly earnings of black women were USD 606, only 68.6 per cent of white men’s earnings, but 91.3 per cent of black men’s median weekly earnings, which are also fairly low. Earnings for a full-time week of work leave Hispanic women well below, and Hispanic men and black women not much above, the qualifying income threshold for receipt of food stamps of USD 588.75 for a family of four”

Essential to agriculture

  • Women comprise an average of 43 per cent of the agricultural labour force in developing countries, varying considerably across regions from 20 per cent or less in Latin America to 50 per cent or more in parts of Asia and Africa. Despite the regional and sub-regional variation, women make an essential contribution to agriculture across the developing world.
  • Women farmers control less land than do men, and also have limited access to inputs, seeds, credits, and extension services. Less than 20 per cent of landholders are women. Gender differences in access to land and credit affect the relative ability of female and male farmers and entrepreneurs to invest, operate to scale, and benefit from new economic opportunities.
  • Women are responsible for household food preparation in 85-90 per cent of cases surveyed in a wide range of countries.

The green economy, sustainable development

  • From 1990 to 2010, more than 2 billion people gained access to safe drinking water, but 748 million people are still without clean drinking water.
  • Women, especially those in poverty, appear more vulnerable in the face of natural disasters. A recent study of 141 countries found that more women than men die from natural hazards. Where the socioeconomic status of women is high, men and women die in roughly equal numbers during and after natural disasters, whereas more women than men die (or die at a younger age) where the socioeconomic status of women is low. Women and children are more likely to die than men during disasters.
  • Women and children bear the main negative impacts of fuel and water collection and transport, with women in many developing countries spending from 1 to 4 hours a day collecting biomass for fuel. A study of time and water poverty in 25 sub-Saharan African countries estimated that women spend at least 16 million hours a day collecting drinking water; men spend 6 million hours; and children, 4 million hours. Gender gaps in domestic and household work, including time spent obtaining water and fuel and processing food, are intensified in contexts of economic crisis, environmental degradation, natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure and services.

WOMENS LEADERSHIP & POLITICAL PARTICIPATION

Women in parliaments

  • Only 22.8 per cent of all national parliamentarians were women as of June 2016, a slow increase from 11.3 per cent in 1995.
  • As of January 2017, 10 women are serving as Head of State and 9 are serving as Head of Government.
  • Rwanda had the highest number of women parliamentarians worldwide. Women there have won 63.8 per cent of seats in the lower house.
  • Globally, there are 38 States in which women account for less than 10 per cent of parliamentarians in single or lower houses, as of June 2016, including 4 chambers with no women at all.

Across regions

  • Wide variations remain in the average percentages of women parliamentarians in each region. As of June 2016, these were (single, lower and upper houses): Nordic countries, 41.1 per cent; Americas, 27.7 per cent; Europe excluding Nordic countries, 24.3 per cent; sub-Saharan Africa, 23.1 per cent; Asia, 19.2 per cent; Arab States, 18.4 per cent; and the Pacific, 13.5 per cent.

Other domains of government

  • As of January 2015, only 17 per cent of government ministers were women, with the majority overseeing social sectors, such as education and the family.
  • The global proportion of women elected to local government is currently unknown, constituting a major knowledge gap. UN Women is currently developing first-ever data baseline on women elected to local government within the monitoring framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG target 5.5.
  • Women’s representation in local governments can make a difference. Research on panchayats (local councils) in India discovered that the number of drinking water projects in areas with women-led councils was 62 per cent higher than in those with men-led councils. In Norway, a direct causal relationship between the presence of women in municipal councils and childcare coverage was found.

Expanding participation

  • As of June 2016, only 2 countries have 50 per cent or more women in parliament in single or lower houses: Rwanda with 63.8 per cent and Bolivia with 53.1 per cent; but a greater number of countries have reached 30 per cent or more. As of June 2016, 46 single or lower houses were composed of more than 30 per cent women, including 14 in Sub-Saharan Africa and 11 in Latin America. Out of those 46 countries, 40 had applied some form of quotas – either legislative candidate quotas or reserved seats – opening space for women’s political participation. Gender balance in political participation and decision-making is the internationally agreed target set in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
  • There is established and growing evidence that women’s leadership in political decision-making processes improves them. Women demonstrate political leadership by working across party lines through parliamentary women’s caucuses – even in the most politically combative environments – and by championing issues of gender equality, such as the elimination of gender-based violence, parental leave and childcare, pensions, gender-equality laws and electoral reform.


RURAL EMPOWERMENT

Amongst its many goals, Women Empowered is also focused on the rural community which needs to be strengthened. Most often than not, the weak link lies with the lack of information or the lack of access to required material, infrastructure or perhaps expertise and mentoring.

 

While most girls in rural communities have very limited access to a proper education or even adequate specialized skills, the presence of appropriate and solid vocational training, along with professional skills is vital.

 

With the presence of such services, the girls and women who perhaps are so keen to break down the norms set by the generations before them will be set free indeed. They would be able to push the barriers and move forward.

 

Women Empowered is also committed to ensuring that girls and women from the rural communities are ready to enter the work sector, to be confident in dealing with people and be ready to move ahead and take a leap of faith to create a better life for them, their families and the societies they live in.

 

Women Empowered will propagate with career mentoring programs and confidence building seminars to help these rural communities. We envision to make girls and undergraduates more ready for the economic arena, to be prepared to work appropriately and eventually be skilled to be economically empowered.

To empower rural regions, we need to understand their diversity.
  • A considerable amount of young women lack the ability to access proper professional skill education and training in the country
  • Vocational training on trade and professional skills is important
  • Women Empowered aims to help women from the rural sector to be more work ready with confidence building seminars and career mentoring programs
  • Women Empowered is committed to help girls, undergraduates and young women become more work ready and skilled to be economically empowered

LIFE COACHING & MENTORING

At some point in our life, we all need a bit of direction. We all need someone to show us the way, to clear the mist and help us find our goals and talents. Whether you receive mentoring at a young age or even as an adult, it is no doubt a vital part of our growth – personally, emotionally and socially. Women Empowered recognizes the need and importance of Life Coaching and Mentoring and as a result, is fully geared to help you, at whatever level you require guidance.

 

 

Have you ever felt like you could do so much more if you just had that bit of extra skills?
Have you ever thought success would have been so much closer with just a bit more guidance and expertise?
Has it ever felt like you’re being pushed down by a barrier you can’t seem to break through?
Do you ever feel like giving up hope to do better and be better?
Have you ever thought you’ve got so many skills you haven’t been able to tap into?
Are you a leader already, or do you feel like you have the potential to be a leader, but need that little bit of push?

GLOBAL NETWORK EXPERTISE

Women Empowered has tied up with an array of empowering women around the world. Each with their own authentic and inimitable individualities, brings to the table, varied brands of strength, boldness, understanding and inspiration. Women Empowered are truly thrilled to have each one of them on board to bring empowerment closer to you.

POWERTALKS & MASTERCLASSES

Women Empowered recognizes that most of us need encouragement to start our journey towards the dreams we want to bring to reality. We are geared and committed to help you through, to give you confidence when needed and motivate you to keep pushing ahead.

 

It is a safe place for those who need that push, help or even someone to tell you that you’re doing a great job and to just keep moving forward!

 

We conduct specialized master classes that are aimed at helping women grow, to help them see that they are capable of doing much more than they envision- to help them lead and win at work and in their personal life.

 

We believe it is important for each female to tap into their divine femininity as each of us have a special trait which we are able to positively manifest if nurtured correctly. Our dedicated motivational speakers and specialists will know just how to do this and will leave you feeling ready to conquer the world!

 

The key focus in these master classes and workshops would be to empower women appropriately, by showing them how to be more effective in the way they communicate and the way they manage their life.

We will bring out the leader in you. We cover high performance coaching and provide master classes on vital skills to help you shatter your glass ceiling, towards success.
  • Prepare yourself mentally to handle success
  • Recognize and tap into your divine gifts and strengths as a woman
  • Discover your hidden potential
  • Expand your emotional intelligence
  • Learn to grow your personal brand identity
  • Study the art of being financially disciplined and independent
  • Receive vital spiritual leadership
  • Be guided by Life coaching & counselling
  • Build a network of women consisting of mentors and role models

Graduates, Interns & Millennials

Career guidance & personality development

 

The rate of unemployment in a country can drastically affect the economy.  Today’s millennials are faced with the challenge of an excess of supply due to a lack of demand for graduates. There are so many graduates on the job hunt, looking for the perfect fit, yet not finding it despite a good education.

The reason for this is perhaps the fact that employers today are keen to pick those with more than just a good education. The requirement is more all-rounder these days- a right attitude, strong personality and a people orientated demeanor is on the wanted list of traits for a successful candidate.

Even then, the job hunt may be easy for those who are the right fit, but the real challenge starts when you realize the need is to make a career out of it.

Often it becomes a crucial time, a crossroad perhaps, for young women right after graduation- torn between the contemplation of career and family.

Well, the good news is that we believe you don’t need to make a choice; we believe you could have both with success! There doesn’t have to be a trade off!

The trick however, is to choose the absolute ideal career path- it needs to be something you are so passionate and personal about; this is what makes the big difference.

After all, if you love what you do, you don’t have to work a day in your life!

 

Welcome to Corporate – Fast track orientation course

 

In today’s day and age, the transition from school to university or school to work is almost immediate.

Despite a good education, a good thorough knowledge of work ethics and some sort of specialist coaching or grooming would be an ideal advantage without a doubt.

This course run together with the McQuire School of Business has been specially designed to bridge that gap and would be a best approach as a finishing school for professionalism. The course would be aimed at making graduates and school leavers, who are entering the corporate world, ready to take on the challenge with confidence and awareness.

This course, conducted for the first time in South Asia, would be a perfect opportunity for companies and graduates intending to make a career.

The modules this course would cover are as below:

Modules

Welcome to Corporate – Fast track orientation course

In today’s day and age, the transition from school to university or school to work is almost immediate.Despite a good education, a good thorough knowledge of work ethics and some sort of specialist coaching or grooming would be an ideal advantage without a doubt.

 

This course run together with the McQuire School of Business has been specially designed to bridge that gap and would be a best approach as a finishing school for professionalism. The course would be aimed at making graduates and school leavers, who are entering the corporate world, ready to take on the challenge with confidence and awareness.

 

This course, conducted for the first time in South Asia, would be a perfect opportunity for companies and graduates intending to make a career.

 

The modules this course would cover are as below:

 

Modules

  • Mechanics of corporate structure
  • Importance of adapting to corporate culture and goals
  • Understanding organizational politics
  • How to earn trust and credibility through accountability
  • Impactful communication
  • How to build confidence and self-worth
  • Techniques to priorities and meet deadlines
  • Performance to earn management recognition

Women in the Workplace

Personal mastery coaching (Junior to C-Suit)

 

Have you ever felt like you could do so much more if you just had that bit of extra skills?

Have you ever thought success would have been so much closer with just a bit more guidance and expertise?

Has it ever felt like you’re being pushed down by a barrier you can’t seem to break through?

Do you ever feel like giving up hope to do better and be better?

Have you ever thought you’ve got so many skills you haven’t been able to tap into?

Are you a leader already, or do you feel like you have the potential to be a leader, but need that little bit of push?

 

Well that list of Have you ever…? and Does it feel like…? could go on and on – but it’s now time to put an end to all the could be’s and should be’s and just make it happen!

 

Women Empowered is geared to help you tap into all your resources and add on to it as well, to help you reach the pinnacle of your dreams.

 

As a woman, sometimes it could get tough, and it’s always a challenge to fight back the oppositions perhaps, but with our personal mastery coaching, you could find yourself cruising to the top.

 

Our experts are well versed and experienced on all sorts of hurdles you may be facing and are ready to guide you through.

Startups & Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneur coaching

 

Have you ever felt like you needed a sounding board to navigate through tough decisions or work related budget cuts, hires, fires or make new marketing plans?

Does it sometimes feel like you are compromising your role at home to keep the business afloat?

Did you ever have a lightbulb moment of a business idea, yet felt like you couldn’t bring it to life?

Do you feel like it’s time to raise the bar and draw in greater prosperity into your life?

Have you ever wished you had someone to support you in achieving your business goals?

 

If, as a woman, you are fully committed to starting a business and seeing it through its journey right until its success and if this business is one based on a concrete foundation of your personal values, vision and a purpose that you connect with intimately, then look no further!

 

Women Empowered is here to help you launch it off the ground and to see it rise and flourish as you aspire.

 

Creating a long lasting, sustainable business depends on the authenticity of the idea and the alignment.

 

Join in on our one-on-one coaching programme for entrepreneurs and ensure you have all the ingredients to put together the best possible recipe for success – a personal recipe that will work just for you!

 

Business coaching

 

No matter what stage of your business you are at, Women Empowered is ready to help you if you feel like you’d need a bit of encouragement or perhaps some guidance on your next move.

Be it at your business planning stage or even at a marketing stage, we are here to support you!

Here’s a rough guideline as to the various points at which you may prefer some help.

Entrepreneur coaching

Have you ever felt like you needed a sounding board to navigate through tough decisions or work related budget cuts, hires, fires or make new marketing plans?

Does it sometimes feel like you are compromising your role at home to keep the business afloat?

Did you ever have a lightbulb moment of a business idea, yet felt like you couldn’t bring it to life?

Do you feel like it’s time to raise the bar and draw in greater prosperity into your life?

Have you ever wished you had someone to support you in achieving your business goals?

 

If, as a woman, you are fully committed to starting a business and seeing it through its journey right until its success and if this business is one based on a concrete foundation of your personal values, vision and a purpose that you connect with intimately, then look no further!

 

Women Empowered is here to help you launch it off the ground and to see it rise and flourish as you aspire.

 

Creating a long lasting, sustainable business depends on the authenticity of the idea and the alignment.

 

Join in on our one-on-one coaching programme for entrepreneurs and ensure you have all the ingredients to put together the best possible recipe for success – a personal recipe that will work just for you!

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