The 21st century poses many challenges and ideals that might inspire a new way of thinking. None is more important than the economic role of women in a rapidly changing world.
A discussion about sustainable development is not complete without a conversation on gender equality. Since women account for half of any country’s talent base, empowering their participation in the workforce greatly enhances productivity and fosters economic growth. A great editorial on the “3Ls of Women’s Empowerment” was written by Christine Lagarde. She wrote that the three L’s” of women’s empowerment is learning, labour and leadership.
Across the country, educating women and giving them the ability to stand on their own feet is very important to economic development. Nowhere is this more essential than in the developing world, where one study reports that 60 countries estimates that the economic loss from not educating girls at the same level as boys totals $90 billion a year.
If learning is just the first step to changing the economic role of women, than the second should be labour, which enables women to flourish and achieve their true potential.
One of the challenges facing many women today is when they participate in the workforce, they too often are placed in low-paying, low-status and low-security jobs. It is the women entrepreneurs, social welfare workers, scientists, politicians and economists who are leading the way for a brighter future.
The third “L” is leadership: enabling women to rise and fulfil their innate abilities and talents. There is plenty of room for improvement, since women only constitute only four per cent of CEOs and only one-fifth of parliamentary seats worldwide. Women play a crucial role in initiating the advancement and growth of any society, in nations across the world.
There are many communities who celebrate the important role that women play in their communities. In Weyburn, the Quota International Club host their annual 2017 Women of the Year awards, to recognize those women who are contributing to the community.
Nominations are now open for the 2017 Women of the Year awards and businesses, organizations and residents are encouraged to consider nominating a local women into one of the four categories of the awards. Weyburn has a lot of worthy women who could be celebrated for the Women of the Year awards and who demonstrate the three L’s of empowerment.
It is important to celebrate the women who are making a difference in our community. This could be by demonstrating ‘Workplace Excellence’ or ‘Community Service’, or by being an ‘Entrepreneur of Excellence’ or a ‘Young Woman of Distinction’. Make sure that they are honoured and celebrated.
