A mother, a homemaker, a working woman, a daughter, a daughter-in-law or a wife – a woman plays every role and responsibility with aplomb. But, how often does she get appreciation or recognition for her overwhelming multitasking duties? How often does she get equal opportunities as her male peers? How often does she have the confidence to raise her voice against gender bias without worrying about implications? Not frequently, if we were to be honest here.
Women across the world are still fighting for their rights and challenging stereotypes. Let’s not pass on these struggles to our daughters! Let’s raise them differently so that they can celebrate their gender and identity without any remorse or shame.
This International Women’s Day, start these conversations with the young ladies of your family to empower them.
Be Unapologetic About Your Choices
Tell your daughter that she can make her choices about career, marriage, fashion, sexual orientation and all other things in life. Of course, she can seek advice from others, but it is her free will to do what makes her happy. She need not sacrifice her needs, wants, desires and dreams and put her happiness at stake to please others.
Love the Way You are
Tell your daughter to never underestimate her value. There will be times when people will act judgemental and comment on her body, behaviour, actions or other flaws. She should know that she is unique, perfect and wonderful in her own way. People who love her will accept the way she is. She should not let others opinions influence her to feel likeable in their eyes.
Speak Up Your Mind
Tell your daughter that she should never be afraid to speak what’s on her mind. If she feels the need to raise her voice for an issue that she strongly feels about, she should do so. However, at the same time, she should also be a good listener and ready to accept the perspectives of other people.
Learn Skills for Employability
Tell your daughter that she should strive to acquire and update skills that can help her earn whenever she decides to join the workforce. This will not only give her financial independence or stability but also allow her to enjoy life beyond the family.
Be Compassionate
Tell your daughter that she should do her bit to make this world a better place to live. She should develop a mindset of kindness and empathy for those in need. She should share her resources – be it money, knowledge or time for others whenever she can.
Accept Failures with a Smile
Tell your daughter that she should never fear failures. If there were no failures, she wouldn’t be able to appreciate the success. She should learn her lessons from the failures and move on with a determined mind not to repeat those mistakes. Whenever she falls and stumbles, she should rise like a phoenix every time.
Develop a Support System
Tell your daughter to develop a social circle of people who can have her back. These people could be her parents, siblings, friends, mentors or anyone with whom she feels comfortable sharing and venting out. They will give her the nudge to reach the sky when she doubts herself. They will catch and hold her when she fails. They will keep her grounded when she needs it.
These conversations will go a long way in creating a bright and better future for your daughter. How are you planning to celebrate International Women’s Day with your little woman?
