Woman Power is My Birthright

I am a woman and it is my distinct birthright to represent the other half of humanity, the female specie. This is my authority, privilege and accountability, as I work with others for a better world.

Women empowerment is my piece. I preach woman power with my life. It is my breadth, my depth, my game, my journey, my voice. My life is woman power from womb to tomb. Womanhood is my doctrine, women empowerment my mission and vision. And now I claim this chance to tackle woman power in this year’s International Day of Women celebration. I can surely write my piece by heart, with ease and strength, with confidence and influence.

There’s a much stronger motivation than writing about woman power. This is my challenge to show the essence of women role in humanity, how it works. Although raised by a father who believed that “a woman’s place is in the home”, I now stand on my own place under the sun, lending a hand to change the world (read http://www.worldpulse.com/node/33660 ).

I studied in a male-dominated university, amidst the dogma of male conservatism in an Islamic City. As one of the pioneer female auxiliaries of male-exclusive International Order of DeMolay, I had the chance to share as a distinct individual, a woman among men. We were female counterparts of DeMolay brothers, engaged in inter-group and campus affairs and competitions in sports, academics and civic actions. Our belonging was our conjugal ownership – boys and girls as equals.

In the three decades of my career, I have witnessed and worked with women in our journey toward progress and sustainable development. My employment in the male-dominated steel monopoly and power industry was my chance to work with other women in implementing, planning and critical decision-making, as we joined hands to provide our country’s basic needs in the manufacture of steel for construction and generation of power and electricity to fuel economy. Women share responsibilities with men as reliable productive citizens, to keep our economy afloat and moving.

My work with the government’s peace process showed me how women in the battlefields and refugee camps conquer their grievous plights, as mothers, wives, sisters and daughters keep families intact despite destitution and homelessness. They stand up for their rights as they rally support from government and donors, stepping forward to claim attention and gain provision of basic needs such as health and medication, shelter, education and security. I marvel at the strength of womanhood displayed in one caring and sharing community to make it through poverty, devastation and insecurity in war zones and conflict-affected areas.

Through my life I profess my power as a woman. Woman power is my fair share as I confront the present and future of the world. It strikes me bad that there is so much women power wasted where opportunities for women are limited and limiting; where women capacities and potentials are underrated and untapped. A woman is a powerhouse of resources. Together, women can unburden much of the weight of the world, from confronting economic problems to addressing armed conflicts.

As a woman, my word is my motivation; my voice is my bond. I view women empowerment as the prime-mover of the change we want to see in humanity. We make a big difference as we do our share in our respective walks of life, sharing what we have and what we know. There is much work to do, and much of it women are capable of doing. Given the chance, we will move the earth.

I am truly convinced it is my right and responsibility to let the world know the essence and influence of women power. Women power is as relevant as it is imperative for the welfare of humanity, to change the world for the better. Truly, women power is what we need, today and always. Woman power is my best, nay, my whole! And that is exactly why I brave the chance to contribute my best and my whole in this year’s celebration of International Day for Women.

This article is part of a writing assignment for Voices of Our Future, which is providing rigorous web 2.0 and new media training for 30 emerging women leaders. We are speaking out for social change from some of the most unheard regions of the world.