On March 8, the world celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD). It was a day to stop and celebrate women’s contributions to all areas of society including economic, political, social, cultural and spiritual domains.
The women’s day agenda includes the thorny gender equality issues, the eradication of abuse and discrimination against women and uniting people around the world to advocate for women’s rights.
One might wonder why there should be so much noise every year regarding women’s rights. Here are some of the statistics to help us understand this:
Over 380 million women and girls are living in extreme poverty. More than 12 million girls under 18 are married each year, driven by poverty.
Globally, more than one in 10 women and girls aged 15-49 were subjected to sexual and/or physical violence by an intimate partner in 2021. One woman or girl is killed by someone in her own family every 11 minutes.
There are more forcibly displaced women and girls than ever before, whether by climate change, war, conflict, or human rights violations.
Over 130 million girls remain out of school worldwide. A third of the world’s poorest girls between 10 and 18 have never attended school, and in rural areas, 61% of girls do not attend secondary school.
Women suffer more from work-life balance than men because after work, she must care for the family, attend to child needs, attend to in-law and own family demands and other socio-cultural responsibilities.
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Globally, women hold just 26,7% of parliamentary seats, 35,5% of local government seats and only 28,2% of management positions in the workplace.
In 2024, only five women were elected in direct presidential elections in 2024 out of a total of 31 elections held that year (https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/shocking-facts-gender-inequality-international-wom/; UN Women).
These are some of the several reasons why there is need to make noise about gender equality. This year’s IWD theme by United Nations (UN) Women is “For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment”.
According to UN Women, this theme calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a future where no one is left behind.
I like their focus, which is to empower the next generation, particularly young women and adolescent girls as catalysts for lasting change.
This year is special in that it marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which is regarded as the most progressive blueprint ever for advancing women’s rights.
In the same vein, IWD organisation’s theme is “Accelerate Action” because at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158 to achieve full gender parity, according to the World Economic Forum.
The IWD organisation, therefore, calls on individuals, organisations and communities around the world to act swiftly and decisively to address gender inequality, both in personal and professional spheres. It is a call to increase momentum and break down obstacles that prevent women from reaching their full potential.
As a mind coach, my major concern is the fact that gender inequalities, abuse and discrimination against women and girls are the top reasons why one-in-five women experience a common mental disorder, such as anxiety or depression, in their lifetime (World Health Organisation).
Roughly one in 10 women experience postpartum depression, a type of depression that can significantly impact a mother’s daily functioning and wellbeing, according to the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS-UK).
Now, here is the disturbing part — studies suggest that children exposed to maternal depression during pregnancy may have a higher risk of developing anxiety, depression, or behavioural problems later in life.
Furthermore, a mother experiencing depression may struggle to provide consistent, nurturing care to her child, which can affect the baby’s development.
So, when society fails to address issues that cause mental health problems for women, we will have to deal with more serious issues when our world raises captains of industry, church leaders, political leaders, school teachers, medical practitioners, etc who are struggling with mental health issues and may not even be aware that they are affected.
Mental health is a person’s psychological, emotional and social wellbeing, which affects how they think, feel, behave and relate. A person living with mental health problems might, therefore, struggle to think, feel, behave and relate well, particularly if they are not receiving professional help for their condition.
So, when we fight for gender equality and women’s rights, we are advocating for women’s mental health. A woman’s mental health is her human right and if it is violated in any way, then there is need for urgent action.
As we wait for everyone involved to expedite action towards gender equality, I would like to take this opportunity to challenge our women and girls.
I personally believe that the most critical form of liberty and freedom is the one that exists in our minds than the one presented on paper. I am convinced that no matter where you are, whether in prison or in a toxic environment, or under quarantine or being held hostage, it is the state of your mental health that counts.
The most common way women give up their power is by thinking that they do not have any. I want to challenge women today and say — whatever or whoever is sitting on you has no power over you except that which you gave away.
We give power to situations and to people through our thoughts, feelings and beliefs. What you say to yourself, in your mind about your situation or people is the power you give away.
If you decide this moment to shift your thinking and take back your power, you will begin to experience life differently.
Here are some of the ways in which women can experience inner freedom and peace despite their circumstances:
Developing a growth mindset
Our mindset is the CPU (central processing unit) of our lives, directing our perceptions, emotions and actions. Humans are naturally inclined towards a fixed mindset, where we view ourselves as largely limited, lacking the capacity to fulfil our dreams.
“This is a men’s world, how can I even dream of making it to the top. I am not good enough, I should just settle for the crumbs. I am only a daughter, the boys are the ones wired for it” — these are some of thinking patterns that reinforce a fixed mindset for women and girls, causing them to feel inferior and undeserving.
A growth mindset, on the other hand, allows us to view challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth, learning and self-improvement.
Failure is viewed not as a destination but a necessary stepping stone to success. By embracing a growth mindset, women can:
Break free from limiting beliefs and self-doubt;
Develop a sense of purpose and direction; and
Achieve success and enjoy life despite the odds.
Building resilience
Resilience is the capacity to bounce back from adversity, trauma, or stress. It is not about being immune to challenges and pain, but about developing the skills and strategies to navigate through challenges and finding our footing again.
Resilience is usually not an inborn trait; it is a muscle that can be built through regular and consistent training. Women can build resilience by:
Learning the art of reframing negative thought patterns;
Developing emotional intelligence; and
Practising self-care regularly and prioritising mental wellbeing.
Prioritising mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is essential for overall health, success and happiness. Women are two times more likely to experience mental health struggles than men due to societal pressures, biological cycles, traumatic experiences and caregiving responsibilities.
This calls for women to pay more attention to their wellbeing through adopting daily mental healthcare routines and practices. By prioritising mental wellbeing, women can:
Reduce stress and anxiety;
Improve mood and overall sense of wellbeing; and
Enhance cognitive function and productivity.
So ladies, as we celebrate Women’s History Month this March, let us focus on empowering ourselves through changing our mindset, building mental resilience and prioritising our mental wellbeing and that of our families and loved ones.
In so doing, we break the patterns and cycles of passing on fixed mindsets and poor mental health to our offsprings and future generations. This is what true freedom and victory looks like to me.
- Mhaka is a multi-award winning life coach, wellness consultant, conference speaker, motivational speaker, strategy workshop facilitator, master of ceremonies and author. Her mission is to help people discover and nurture their in-born mental capabilities. She is the founder and executive director of BeMindFit, a mental health awareness organisation. — +263 772 513 713, +263 780 117 779 or [email protected]. These weekly New Horizon articles, published in the Zimbabwe Independent, are coordinated by Lovemore Kadenge, an independent consultant, managing consultant of Zawale Consultants (Pvt) Ltd, past president of the Zimbabwe Economics Society and past president of the Chartered Governance & Accountancy in Zimbabwe (CGI Zimbabwe). — [email protected] or mobile: +263 772 382 852.
