Michelle E.’s Post

Digital Pathways for Gender Equity As we commemorate this year's International Youth Day under the theme 'From Clicks to Progress: #Youth Digital Pathways for #Sustainable Development', let's celebrate the power of women and girls in the digital age. #Technology offers boundless opportunities to drive sustainable progress, but the persistent digital #gender divide limits access and inclusion. By #empowering the next generation of female innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs, we can unlock their transformative potential. Provide mentorship, skills training, and networking platforms to help women and girls confidently navigate the digital landscape. When we invest in their digital journeys, we invest in a more #equitable future where their ideas, passions, and #voices shape the change we seek. #digitalspaces #womeninbusiness #sustainabledevelopment #genderequity

It's International Women's Day this week - a fabulous theme of #InspireInclusion to encourage all of us to visualise a world where people are truly, entirely equal regardless of gender bias, stereotypes and discrimination but where Difference is also valued and celebrated. The more time I spend with Boards, Senior leadership teams, Chairs, CEOs, the more I still see similar stories of men who have been promoted, scaled the ladder quickly and achieved success because their female partner enabled it by running the home and raising the children. Many of them are happy to acknowledge this but that doesn't help as their own children will grow up to follow those same gender stereotypes. With my own children I see the girls leaning towards the 'girlie tasks' at home like cooking, laundry and playing with younger cousins/friends and the boys cleaning the car, emptying the bins etc. But I keep challenging this; encouraging my boys to experiment in the kitchen and the girls to do the 'dirty' jobs. It's not easy and it seems to be inherently in their nature but it's my duty to try to break these stereotypes so my girls will grow up to expect true equality in their home relationships which will allow ALL of the kids to have as many professional opportunities as they want! So let's not just worry about this on one day a year but every day of every year and create a more equal future of opportunities for all of our children regardless of their gender. #iwd2024 #iwd2024womenleadingtheway #iwd2024inspiringinclusion #genderbias #genderequality #womenempoweringwomen

3rd day of #meetings, #receptions, and #events this week in New York  for #UNGA and #climate week. There is frustration and excitement on what has not happened and what we can do (more money! responsible funders!) to meet the #SDGs, especially #SDG5 on #gender #equality. I heard the most inspiring truth from Brazilian President Lula at the #Goalkeepers event hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. As he said, '...There is hunger not because we lack money, there is hunger because we lack #shame.....'.. Imagine all that we could move with little more shame! I wish gender inequality was recognized as the global emergency that it is.  A few key threads across all conversations on gender equality and women and girls: ➡️ #ASK women and girls what they need. Don't tell them what they do. #Context and #dignity is key. ➡️ #PUT resources into the hands of women and girls, movements, and communities. Give them the #tools and #money they need to make the change they want. Women and girls are agents of change and recognizing that is critical. ➡️ #APPROACH everything with a holistic #systems lens. E.g. investments in maternal health will not pay off unless women & girls have dignified, accessible, affordable, & multi-sector solutions like good roads, education, economic power, accessible, and clean health facilities that are climate resilient. ➡️ #ACCOUNT for everything. #Financing #policies and #solutions are there. What is needed is #political #will #collaboration, and #leadership, including from women leaders. Then there is that shame tool we should consider using to drive collaborative action, accountability, evidence, data, and resourcing. Simple, right? Komal Sahu Tristan Ace Aravindan Srinivasan AVPN Mehar Kakkar Naina Subberwal Batra Moutushi Sengupta

Women Making a Difference: Women Making a Positive Impact In Our Communities Gone are the days when women were relegated to the background, their roles confined to running a household. Today, women are at the forefront, driving positive change and making a significant impact in our communities. In every sphere, women are breaking barriers and defying stereotypes. From politics to entrepreneurship, healthcare to education, women are stepping up and showing immense potential. Their determination, resilience and unwavering commitment are paving the way for a more equitable and inclusive society. Women in our community are actively participating in local politics, advocating for policies that benefit everyone. They are starting businesses, creating jobs and fostering economic growth. As mentors and role models, they inspire the next generation of leaders, encouraging young girls to pursue their dreams fearlessly. But their impact doesn't stop there. Women are deeply involved in community organizations and volunteer programs, dedicating their time and skills to causes close to their hearts. They are the driving force behind social cohesion, harmony and awareness about critical issues like gender equality, social justice and environmental sustainability. Together, these efforts are reshaping our communities, making them more vibrant, inclusive and empowered. Let's celebrate the invaluable contributions of women and continue to support them as they lead the way towards a brighter future. #womenempowerment #communityimpact #leadership #inclusion #genderequality #tuzidisana

🌱 Empowering Youth, Energizing Communities! 🌍 We are thrilled to share the Clean Energy Awareness and Youth Engagement Program, funded by USAID, aimed at fostering a brighter, greener future in Faisalabad. 🚀 What’s the vision? Empower youth to lead the charge in promoting clean energy solutions through training, awareness campaigns, and youth-led social action projects. By integrating gender equality, inclusivity, and sustained community engagement, we’re ensuring that half of our participants are young women, building a more inclusive energy future. 💡💪 Program Highlights: ✅ Training sessions for 125 youth participants ✅ Youth-led initiatives across 10 villages, 1 university, 2 colleges, and 5 schools ✅ Awareness campaigns reaching 5,000 individuals aged 16-35 ✅ Creation of the Young Green Leaders network ✅ Policy recommendations reflecting the voices of youth With educators, community leaders, and young advocates working hand-in-hand, this program is a testament to the power of collaboration in driving meaningful change. Together, we aim to make clean energy solutions an everyday reality while inspiring leadership and innovation. 🌿✨ Let’s build a sustainable tomorrow, starting today. #CleanEnergy #YouthEmpowerment #Sustainability #GenderEquality #AnalyticsLab

Cultivating an Inclusive Community for Women and Girls..... At WAVEHI NGO We Promote Gender Parity Through Multifaceted Strategies Enhancing Awareness🎗️: Foster a culture of education through workshops and discussions. This equips individuals to identify and challenge unconscious bias and dismantle harmful stereotypes. Elevating Female Leadership👩: Amplify the voices of women by showcasing their achievements across diverse fields. This creates a robust pipeline of role models for future generations. Empowering growth📈: Advocate for equitable access to quality education for all girls, fostering their academic and professional development. Implement mentorship programs that connect young women with successful female leaders, providing invaluable guidance and support. Championing Economic Opportunity💱: Support initiatives that promote women's economic empowerment by facilitating access to resources and fostering financial independence. Advocating for Policy Change🚨: Lobby for legislation that tackles gender inequality. This includes advocating for pay equity, accessible parental leave policies, and robust protection mechanisms against gender-based violence. Disrupting Societal Norms🚫: Critically examine and dismantle societal norms that limit women's choices and opportunities. Promote a healthy understanding of masculinity that values equality and partnership. Collaborating with Changemakers🤝: Partner with organizations working tirelessly for gender equality. Consider contributing financially or volunteering your expertise to amplify their impact. Building a Respectful Community🏗️: Cultivate an environment that celebrates diversity and fosters inclusion for women of all backgrounds and identities. Confronting Microaggressions😡: Actively challenge everyday sexism and microaggressions, both verbal and behavioral, fostering a culture of respect for all.

🎉𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 5 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒 𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 🎉 Startups face many challenges, but we are proud to celebrate Includovate's journey since our founding in 2019. As a global multidisciplinary social enterprise, Includovate is dedicated to empowering women, marginalised communities, and excluded groups. We've tackled poor data on gender norms and social exclusion by incubating research talents from the Global South, making global programs and policies more inclusive, and reversing post-colonial legacies in academic research. Despite the complexities of balancing social impact with financial sustainability, our commitment to localising and co-creating agendas has led to significant achievements. We are thrilled with our progress and excited for the future. Read below what Suruchi Upadhyay has to say. #Inclusion #Diversity #Milestone #Includovate #WorkAnniversary #TeamWork #Youth #disability #Women #genderequality

SUPPORTING FEMINIST CHANGE MAKERS Breaking barriers refers to the act of overcoming obstacles, challenges, or limitations that stand in the way of progress, achievement, or equality. Breaking barriers can take many forms, and it often involves challenging societal norms, prejudices, or systemic injustices. Here are a few examples of breaking barriers: 1. **Social Justice**: Breaking barriers in the context of social justice involves addressing and dismantling systemic discrimination and inequality based on race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other factors. It involves advocating for policies and initiatives that promote equity and fairness for all members of society. 2. **Gender Equality**: Breaking barriers in the context of gender equality involves challenging traditional gender roles, stereotypes, and biases. It aims to create a world where individuals of all genders have equal opportunities and access to resources. 3. **Education and Access**: Breaking barriers in education involves ensuring that all individuals have access to quality education regardless of their background, socioeconomic status, or geographical location. This includes addressing barriers related to affordability, infrastructure, and cultural norms. 4. **Innovation and Entrepreneurship**: Breaking barriers in innovation and entrepreneurship involves creating pathways for underrepresented groups to participate in these fields. It includes promoting diversity in leadership positions and providing support for minority-owned businesses. 5. **Healthcare and Well-being**: Breaking barriers in healthcare involves addressing disparities in access to healthcare services and promoting health equity for all individuals, regardless of their circumstances. 6. **Environmental Justice**: Breaking barriers in environmental justice involves advocating for equitable access to a clean and safe environment for all communities, particularly those disproportionately affected by pollution and climate change. Breaking barriers requires courage, determination, and collective action. It often involves amplifying diverse voices, advocating for policy change, and fostering a culture of inclusion and respect. #justiceforall #courage #determinationwins #respect

🌍 Global Development in 2024: Progress Made, Challenges Ahead 🚀 2024 has brought some significant advancements in global development. Here are a few key milestones: Internet Access: Over 5.4 billion people now have access to the internet, empowering communities with new opportunities for learning, work, and innovation. 🌐 Health Progress: In the last three decades, life-saving treatments have helped avert 20.8 million AIDS-related deaths, a testament to global collaboration and innovation in healthcare. 💊❤️ Educational Parity: Girls in many regions now match or even surpass boys in school completion rates, marking a substantial step towards achieving gender equality. 📚✨ Yet, around 48% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets remain off-track, emphasizing the need for greater global cooperation and effort. Marpu Foundation’s Perspective: We believe that progress, even in small steps, leads to big changes. These achievements motivate us to keep striving for equality, health, and sustainable growth every day. Let’s join hands and bridge the remaining gaps! 💡💪 #GlobalDevelopment #DigitalInclusion #HealthProgress #MarpuFoundation

In Taryn Hunter Sharman's own words: a reflection on gender and progress. "I recently came across a post on LinkedIn that struck a chord with me on a deep level. It resonated because, despite some progress, the pace of change in dismantling gender biases is frustratingly slow. Having spent over two decades in boardrooms predominantly occupied by men, I can attest to the fact that these questions rarely arise for them. In my experience, I have never asked a fellow colleague what it's like to be a 'working dad'. Reflecting on my own experiences, I couldn't help but ponder about the gendered nature of certain professional activities. Just the other day, I found myself asking my husband, "What's the equivalent of golf for women?" I was searching for an activity where women could network and discuss business matters for over 5 hours, unapologetically, uninterrupted, and without question. We struggled to find an answer, which highlighted the stark contrast in opportunities for networking and relationship-building between genders. As a mother raising both sons and daughters, these thoughts fill me with a sense of urgency and concern. I can't help but worry about the future they'll inherit—the biases they'll encounter and the barriers they may face in their professional lives. Will we be able to challenge and dismantle these deeply ingrained gender norms in time for them to navigate the boardrooms of tomorrow with equality and fairness? It's a question that weighs heavily on my heart. I believe in the power of collective action and advocacy to drive meaningful change. While the journey may be long and arduous, I hold onto the hope that by raising awareness and fostering dialogue, we can pave the way for a more inclusive and gender-equal society—one where my children, and all children, can thrive without limitations based on their gender." #FaithAndFear #GrowthStrategists #ContentMarketing #ContentCreation #GrowthStrategy #WomenInBusiness #WomenEntrepreneurs