Times are a changin’ with empowered women leading the way. I have been researching the global impact of educating girls and the human potential is mind blowing. Investing in business models with a focus on gender equality is seriously transformational! It has been proven many times over that an educated girl is the driving force behind change.
According to the World Bank, countries with greater gender equality are more prosperous and competitive (USAID). The importance of educating girls to become tomorrow’s leaders, giving them the opportunity to be a part of the change making process, is imperative to our evolution as human beings. Recently I have noticed that the number of investors aligning money with emerging women leaders has significantly increased. Women are powerful in business and it’s amazing to see them being supported and valued. Investing in women owned businesses has proven to be a lucrative investment, both socially and monetary.
So what is gender equality? It is when women and men get to enjoy the same rights and opportunities in all aspects of society, decision making, economics and their input is equally valued. I feel very fortunate to live in the USA where women have more opportunity than other parts of the world. However, we still encounter the old school mentality that boys are better. Personally, I have never accepted this because it simple isn’t true. I have definitely found myself standing up to men when they tell me I can’t do something, “It’s a man’s job”. What does that even mean?
In my family, and many other families, it means that the men run the family business regardless of education or skill set. I am fifth generation of a Real Estate family with an emphasis on “family business” in all branding material. I had a younger brother who was the heir to the throne, when he passed away it was the end of an era. I have worked for the company as an Interior Designer, you know a “girl’s job”, which I thoroughly enjoyed, however I was never considered for a higher position. I’m not complaining because these are first world problems, 70 million girls today are not being educated and will not have options and choices with their futures! I am thankful that there are so many people who see my value, who see other women’s power and help support us and our ventures. Yes, we may experience gender bias here in the USA, however, we have education and options to help us overcome.
It is so important that we stick together as women and build each other up, when we demand the respect we deserve other women feel empowered to do the same. This realization is transformational, my daughter sees herself just as powerful as men – because she is. Every day we evolve on a social level and my daughter represents this change. The world is hers. The world is yours. The world is ours.
As an angel I recommend investing in women owned start ups in a field where you excel, mentor them while aligning money with their intention. As part of your give back program, perhaps donate to educating girls globally. Through education we can change the world, more women leaders will have their opportunity to shine.
~Miss Kiss~
