I would rather stick to a simple definition. An empowered woman is someone who knows and exercises her rights as a citizen and an individual, and knows where to set limits and personal boundaries. Ofcourse it is the same for any empowered individual, not just for women.
Never fall in the traps of glorious adjectives
Yes, you are a mother, a wife, a daughter and all those possible relationships. But, you are not a goddess nor an angel. Never fall for such attributed divinity. You are just a human being and fallible. Stay beyond the patriarchal society definitions of womanhood. You needn't carry the burden of family honour on your shoulders. If your family's honour depends upon your virtues, it is not worthy to keep, in the first place.
Be educated
Education and empowerment go hand in hand. Not just that you have to work and earn money. Financial independence is definitely important, but being educated gives you the means to know your rights in any situation. Also you could process your thoughts and words in a better way. Having said that education needn't be formal. Acquiring knowledge from various sources and learning new skills or a new language etc. can be done throughout your life.
Know your rights, as an individual and as a woman
You should always keep in mind that your body is your own. You have sovereign right to your body. Whenever that is violated, in whatever form, sexual/ domestic violence or being forced to use it beyond your limits in any ways, you should know help is available. There is no need to stay in an abusive relationship and suffer silently. Don't hesitate to seek help. There are plenty of governmental and non-governmental organisations and helplines.
Honour and demand your space- emotional as well as physical
It's always been lamented that the beauty of a woman is her ability to total surrender. That is mostly a male perspective. Yes, it is beautiful to surrender to love at times, but not always. It should be your choice rather than compulsion. Having and honouring personal spaces in relationships goes a long way to strengthen them by evoking respect for each other. Having said that, it is of utmost importance to tame the control freak in you. Always remember that love is not about controlling. The other people need space as much as you do.
Set limits
You should always know and set limits of your tolerance levels. This one is highly subjective. It depends on how you want to live your life. Most of the times women suffer beyond their limits because of so many external factors. Sometimes out of love, sometimes out of fearing public opinion. But better you know that to set limits is important for self-respect and dignity.
Be financially independent
Try to be financially independent. It gives you a feeling of being in control of yourself and also boost your self-esteem.
Be socially active
Many women lock themselves in the comforts of their own homes surrounded by family. Being open to the outside world gives you an expanse of experience and also change your outlook in many ways. Also collective struggles may be necessary to fight against injustices and to change the established attitudes of society as a whole. Remember, our struggles are against patriarchal misogynistic attitudes, not at all against men.
Know feminine as complimentary to masculine
Embrace the feminine essence and rejoice womanhood. Womanhood and manliness should be complementary, graciously covering up each other's shortcomings. Both have their own strengths and weaknesses. That's how nature meant it to be.
Be empowered!!
As a woman and as an individual.!!!
Preetha Raj
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