We women often talk about equality — equal treatment, equal rights, equal salaries etc., etc. We hail feminism, condemn patriarchy but miss out on talking about how we treat our own clan!
While you may think that what I just wrote is complete absurd, deep down, you know it’s one of the darkest truths we need to accept and fight off.
A major section of our society is still at the bottom, or hanging in between their own clan is holding them back — and if you think your circle is untouched by this fact, you might need to cross-check!
‘There seemed to be a perception that when a woman advocated for another woman, she was somehow showing favouritism,’ it added.
Another study, conducted by Deloitte at 7,000 companies in 44 countries, found women made up just 15% of corporate boards around the world.
And did you know that there is a term for this?
Instead of acting as mentors, successful female bosses pull up the ladder behind them because they perceive other women as a threat.
This is known as queen bee syndrome.
First defined by psychologists at the University of Michigan in 1973, queen bee syndrome describes a woman in a position of authority in a male-dominated environment who treats subordinates more critically if they are female.
DID YOU KNOW:
Margaret Thatcher, the UK’s first female prime minister, has been described as a queen bee for not promoting or furthering the careers of women in her cabinet.
So, in a nutshell, if we want to be treated nicely and achieve equal status as men, then it needs to begin with us. Women supporting women!
They say, “celebrating another woman’s success or triumphs will never take away from your glory or shine. If anything, it’ll add to it and create more light.”
Undoubtedly, women supporting women are more likely to succeed. It reflects showing love, respect and making them feel secure. And here is how you can do it!
Celebrate their success
Societal and generational behaviours have taught women to feel jealous or be unhappy when other women succeed.
But celebrating their successes, small or big, is one of the easiest ways to break those societal norms of competition and jealousy. After all, when one of us succeeds, it inspires a hundred behind her!
How to celebrate her success?
- Congratulate her on social media or post a congrats message on her Instagram or Facebook wall if she’s announcing her success there.
- Compliment her achievement.
- Show some curiosity or excitement and ask her how she achieved that success.
- Plan success celebration parties and have fun together. Get your girls together and enjoy her moment.
Compliment them
Admit it! We all love compliments. Empowering women means helping them on their way to success and supporting their self-confidence. Putting out a positive vibe by dropping a compliment on their way can be a huge starter.
Here are some tips!
- Focus on a great find by telling her that she’s looking amazing in her new dress or her dress is beautiful, or it could be surprising to see how easily she is breastfeeding her baby in a public place.
- Tell her that she is doing amazing in her new business.
- Try to make eye contact and make her feel that you are happy seeing her progress.
- Be respectful and tell her how smart, strong, and honey she is.
- Say right away about what makes you feel good about her, and don’t hold on to it for later.
Listen actively
It’s not about gossiping! It’s about listening to someone’s heart out. When women are stressed, they may look for fellow supporters to manage their stress. Be a true active listener by paying attention to them and providing feedback.
Knowing that we have someone to listen to us can help us know who we can count on for guidance and support, especially during hard times.
Lift them up
Start with your closed ones. Help your mother or grandmother. Send a text message or give them a call to ask if they need something or let them know that you’re thinking about them. Send them flowers without any reason to bring a smile to their face.
Extend the same support and love to other women. It might sound tiny in various ways, but hey, every step counts!
Connect women
Getting out of one’s vulnerability zone is important to move forward. And how can you help with this?
Start introducing your women friends to other people you know. Got someone new to the neighbourhood? Or even parenthood? Hook them up to your group!
The more they’d connect, the more they’d learn and move forward in their life.
Hang out together
This isn’t something new! #WednesdayWomen, Girls’ Night Out, #PajamaParty, etc., have been existing in society for ages. But how many of us actually practise them?
If you have been holding yourself back, this is the time! Or, if you haven’t been regular, it’s time to be on track now! Consider it a group therapy, reminiscing break or the hibernation period — take some time out, hang out with your sistas and give yourself the love and joy you deserve.
Embrace your friendship, nurture young women, start new relationships, empower girls, and help women rejoice!