Empowering Women: Celebrating Women’s Month at Kente Academy

March is Women’s Month, a time to think about how important women are in every community and all the great things they have done. Mary Beard, a famous writer, talks in her book Women & Power about how women’s voices and ideas have often been ignored or not taken seriously. She wants people to recognize how powerful women have always been and still are and to make sure women can have the same chances to be leaders and make decisions.

At Kente Academy, we believe that education is a powerful way to help women and girls break down barriers and reach their full potential. As Mary Beard says, empowering women means not just giving them an education but also changing the way people listen to and see them. This month is a time to celebrate how far we’ve come and remember there is still work to do so that all women have the same chances to succeed. Let’s keep challenging old ideas, raise women’s voices, and work together to help them grow and succeed.

Why Women's Empowerment Matters

Over the past twenty years, women's empowerment has become an important goal worldwide. The United Nations made gender equality and women’s empowerment part of the Millennium Development Goals, and countries all over the world promised to work toward it. These goals, set in 2000, were about improving women’s rights and chances. They recognized that without empowering women, countries can’t reach their full potential. Today, women's empowerment is still a main focus in international efforts because when women can make choices about their own lives, everyone benefits.

However, even with these global efforts, women, especially in rural areas, still face challenges in getting an education, participating in politics, and becoming economically independent. In India, for example, research shows that many women don’t know their rights, even if they have an education. This lack of knowledge stops them from making decisions and being fully involved in society, which is why empowerment, especially through education, is so important.

The Role of Education in Empowerment

One of the most powerful tools for women’s empowerment is education. When women are educated, they have more chances to contribute to society, earn their own income, and make decisions that affect their lives. Studies like those done in Madurai show that educated women feel more confident and capable of making choices in their lives. Education helps women open new doors, allowing them to break free from limiting beliefs and traditional gender roles.

Also, education is closely connected to financial independence. When women have access to education and job opportunities, they are better able to support themselves and their families. Education also helps women make better decisions, giving them the power to choose what’s best for their health, careers, and personal lives.

Global Efforts to Promote Gender Equality

The importance of women’s empowerment has been recognized all around the world. In 2012, the World Bank released a report that said gender equality is key to global development. The report explained that policies promoting equality for women are essential for economic growth because when women are empowered, societies become stronger and more successful. This shows that women’s empowerment isn’t just about individual happiness—it’s also crucial for the success of entire countries.

Global efforts, like the Millennium Development Goals, focus on promoting gender equality and empowering women to create a fair and just world. But the journey isn’t only about giving women more access to education. It also involves helping people understand how power is often shared unfairly between genders. Empowerment allows women to make meaningful choices about their lives, like their careers, families, and health, in ways that were once not possible for them.

Barriers to Empowerment: Rural Challenges

Even in countries where gender equality is a goal, many women—especially in rural areas—still face barriers that limit their empowerment. In places like Madurai, many women are still unaware of the resources and opportunities available to them. Women in rural areas often don’t have access to job training or work opportunities, making it harder for them to become financially independent.

The Madurai study also showed that even though many women in rural areas are educated, they still face challenges because of deeply held beliefs about gender. These beliefs often say that women are not as capable as men, which limits their chances and hurts their confidence. Cultural expectations about what women should do in society can be a big barrier to full empowerment, even when education is available.

To overcome these challenges, it’s important to give rural women the training and resources they need to succeed. Programs that teach skills like tailoring, farming, or technology can help women find jobs and challenge old beliefs about gender. Training programs and awareness campaigns are needed to help women understand the power of education and gain the skills they need to become strong, empowered members of society.

The Importance of Agency and Resources

Empowerment isn’t just about having access to education; it’s also about having the ability to make choices and the resources to act on those choices. According to researcher Naila Kabeer, empowerment means giving people the power to make important decisions about their lives. This means that empowerment isn’t just about knowing things; it’s about creating a situation where women can use that knowledge and make decisions for themselves. For women to be truly empowered, they need both the ability to make choices and the resources to carry them out. These resources might include financial independence, support from others, or access to leadership roles.

How Can We Support Empowerment?

At Kente Academy, we are committed to helping students, both girls and boys, recognize the importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment. We believe that education is the foundation of empowerment, and we aim to provide an environment where every student can learn, grow, and contribute to society.

We encourage everyone to support women's education and leadership, whether through advocating for equal opportunities, promoting awareness, or supporting policies that prioritize women’s rights. We can also encourage girls and women to pursue their dreams, whether that’s in science, technology, politics, or business. Breaking down gender barriers requires action from everyone, and together, we can create a world where women’s voices are heard and their contributions are valued.

A Future of Equality

This Women’s Month, let’s remember that empowering women is about more than just education. It’s about ensuring women have the agency and resources to make decisions for their own lives. When women are empowered, societies thrive, economies grow, and everyone benefits. Let’s work together to create a world where all women are empowered to achieve their dreams and contribute to building a brighter future for everyone.

What can you do to support women's empowerment? Share your thoughts, and let’s continue to make a positive change together.