[ Photo by Freepik.com] Here are 5 powerful reasons to give someone a squeeze today Hugging is very comforting. In addition, there is no substitution for that warm feeling of holding someone in your arms (or being held). The coronavirus pandemic evidenced it well when hugs were probably at the top of the list of things you missed the most. The isolation and lack of human connection made quarantining very difficult. We hug when we’re excited, happy, sad, or seeking comfort. Hugging makes us feel good. And it turns out that it makes us healthier too. There’s strong evidence that giving your loved ones an affectionate squeeze can actually be good for your health. So check out 5 health benefits of hugs! Hugs boost your immune system Hugs can make you feel good – and stronger too. Hugging can boost levels of natural killer cells, lymphocytes, immunoglobulins, and other immune-boosting cells. Touching and hugging can also affect our body’s immune response through hormone regulation, includi
Have you ever felt undervalued? Unmotivated? Unappreciated? Unable? Voiceless? Hopeless? Weak? And all this just because you’re a woman? You are not alone. In fact, you have a battalion of women around the world to keep you company.
Women's empowerment is a little about this. Or a lot about everything. It promotes women’s sense of self-worth, supporting their ability to determine their own choices, giving them a voice (and listening to them).
Women have equal rights to participate in education, health, economy, politics, and society in every way. Thus, women’s empowerment is a fundamental human right and a critical step towards a fairer society. However, we still have a long way to go.
Almost one in three women (736 million or 30% of women aged 15 and older) have been subjected to intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their life.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, calls to helplines have increased five-fold due to reported intimate partner violence in some countries.
Every day 137 women are killed by a member of their family.
In 2019, one in five women aged 20–24 years were married before 18.
At least 200 million women and girls aged 15–49 years have undergone female genital mutilation in 31 countries where the practice is concentrated.
Globally, 15 million girls aged 15–19 years have experienced forced sex.
Worldwide, 82% of women parliamentarians reported having experienced some form of psychological violence while serving their terms.
The Women’s Empowerment Principles were created in collaboration between the UN Global Compact and UN Women to empower women in the marketplace, workplace, and community.
1: Create high-level corporate leadership for gender equality. 2: Treat all people fairly at work, respecting and supporting non-discrimination and human rights. 3: Ensure the health, wellbeing, and safety of all workers, whether male or female. 4: Promote education, training, and professional development for women. 5: Implement supply chain, marketing practices, and enterprise development that empower women. 6: Champion equality through community initiatives and advocacy.
7: Measure and report publicly on progress to create gender equality.
If you’re wondering why women’s empowerment is so important, the answer is simple: it can literally change the world. Empowering women can lead to better education and open doors to decent work opportunities. Several studies have shown that investing in women’s education and employment helps decrease poverty and incite economic growth. In addition, it can give women and girls the life skills they need to claim their rights, fight violence and discrimination, and make better health decisions. It significantly impacts poverty, social development, and economic upturn.
Disseminate valid information that helps women make informed decisions about health, including sexual, reproductive, and mental health.
Support women’s education
Hire, coach, sponsor, guide, and educate women, contributing to a future where they can fulfill their potential.
Support women’s job opportunities
Women don’t have equal job opportunities, and equal rights programs can significantly promote decent jobs and public policies.
Support women’s entrepreneurial ideas
Providing women with entrepreneurial opportunities can encourage them to increase their participation in the supply chain, ruling them out from the unequal pay gap socio-economic scene.
Support women’s business
Whether it is buying the products they sell, recommending their services, or simply telling people about it, support women’s business in any way you can.
Support women leadership
Providing women with leadership opportunities and making them a part of decision-making can go a long way in achieving women’s empowerment.
Bring women into the conversation
Meetings, conferences, speakings, and media all intensely prioritize male voices; so, bring women into the conversation, asking them for their feedback, opinion, and ideas, allowing them to share the spotlight.
Use your voice
Do what you can to support other women and organizations committed to empowering women. Use your voice to make empowering women a priority.
