Latest news with #women empowerment
News24
3 days ago
- Politics
- News24
Who else is tired of Women's Month conferences?
Women are victims of the gender pay-gap but men are the ones speaking on this subject at conferences. Sometimes women are invited to speak but are they paid accordingly? After these conferences are done, we are reminded that the more things change the more they stay the same. Women's Month is almost upon us once again and, as has become customary, conferences, webinars and other discussion gatherings are already mushrooming all over the place. Some of these are ridiculously disastrous and insulting to women. From known misogynists as panellists at empowerment discussions to men as the key speakers at gender pay-gap webinars to women paid peanuts that aren't even salted, it's clear that we are never making it out of patriarchy. One of my biggest concerns has always been around the vetting processes and the approval of these 'experts'. To revisit the example above, how are men pay-gap experts when this is not even their lived experience? Prof. Zerihun, Head of the Faculty of Economics and Finance, spoke on the gender pay gap emphasising that although productivity should determine pay irrespective of gender, this principle has been compromised due to factors like occupational segregation and the motherhood penalty — Official TUT (@Official_TUT) August 27, 2024 I'll tell you my opinion on how they obtained this expertise: by listening to women relaying their reality. That said, where is the logic in asking men to reiterate tales that were told to them when we can simply go to the source and obtain the information straight from the horse's mouth? As much as women can talk and write about their experiences of being underpaid and overworked just because they have a uterus, they are equally capable of hopping on to podiums and saying this inside conference rooms. As women, we are forced to work twice as hard to prove ourselves, but God forbid this be reflected on our payslips and how dare we demand platforms to acknowledge that we can speak for ourselves? Dearest organisers. We're heading to Women's month and like clockwork - the bookings have started. And without fail, women like me, who only get these gigs at least twice a year, are being asked to labour for free. Enough already. We can't be saying this every year. STOP IT. — Bev (@bevditsie) July 16, 2025 Many of these conferences also cost an arm and a leg to attend but, because we are hungry for motivation, we part with thousands and flock to them to listen to these alleged experts speaking on our behalf. Perhaps we are just gullible because, come September, gender-based violence stats are still climbing, our salaries remain an embarrassment, our business ideas are still collecting dust and we are still being sexually harassed at our workplaces. Workplace harassment is the pits because the men speaking at these conferences try to convince us to report these incidents, but the truth is that, very often, our superiors are men. When you go and report, how do you even know that that same boss wasn't discussing your bra size with the perpetrator just last weekend? Today the Ombud Council joins global leaders, policymakers, and advocates at the @g20org Financial Inclusion and Women Empowerment Conference at Sun City, North West Province, themed 'Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges." This gathering explores how to make financial systems… — Ombud Council (@OmbudCouncil) May 6, 2025 One of my favourite quotes is from a placard I saw many years ago that read: I can't believe we are still protesting this. It's ridiculous because my child is a teenager now and she is already grappling with the same patriarchy that women were trying to dismantle before I was even born. A men's conference may be the figment of social media's imagination, but it would be really interesting to see who would speak on behalf of men if the concept ever made it to real life.
Globe and Mail
21-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Delaine A. Deer Launches "Voice of Impact", a 12-Session Leadership Program for Women in Male-Dominated Industries
Built for real-world leadership, the program equips marginalized women with the strategy, confidence, and community to rise without burnout or compromise NEW YORK , July 21, 2025 /CNW/ -- Delaine A. Deer , leadership coach and founder of ProWorks Hive, has launched Voice of Impact, a 12-session coaching program designed for women ready to lead in industries where their voices have long been underrepresented—construction, tech, and corporate leadership. Despite growing conversations around diversity, women—especially women of color and LGBTQ+ professionals—continue to face barriers. Only 10% of construction executives are women (BLS, 2023), nearly half of women in tech report workplace discrimination (Pew, 2023), and Black women are promoted at just 58% the rate of white men (Lean In, 2023). Voice of Impact addresses these disparities directly, offering practical tools, coaching, and community to help women break through bias and lead with impact. The program is a systems-level response to leadership inequality. Designed by Deer with support from industry advisors, Voice of Impact equips women with actionable strategies to apply immediately in their careers. The experience blends expert coaching, leadership development, and continuous support via the ProWorks Hive platform—an exclusive online network for peer engagement and mentorship. "For too long, women have been told to 'lean in.' But without the tools to navigate systemic bias, that's not enough," said Deer. "Voice of Impact gives them the skills, strategy, and support to not only claim their seat at the table—but to thrive in it." Participants in the inaugural cohort receive founding member status and lifetime access to ProWorks Hive. Program modules cover leadership branding, confident communication, negotiating promotions, and building a bias-resistant mindset. About Delaine A. Deer and ProWorks Hive Delaine A. Deer is a leadership coach, speaker, and founder of ProWorks Hive. With 20+ years of experience in project leadership and inclusive development, she helps women and marginalized professionals lead with clarity, confidence, and systemic impact. ProWorks Hive is a leadership accelerator that supports professionals navigating male-dominated spaces through coaching, community, and strategic career insight. Women ready to stop being overlooked and start leading on their own terms can apply now for the Voice of Impact inaugural cohort.
Zawya
16-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
In Burkina Faso, cashew cultivation is a lever for sustainable and inclusive rural development
Launched in 2017 and completed in 2024, the Cashew Development Support Project in the Comoé Basin for REDD+ (PADA/REDD+) exemplified sustainable development. The project combined poverty reduction, ecological transition and the empowerment of women and young people, achieving a remarkable implementation rate of 95 percent. It has revitalised the cashew nut industry, Burkina Faso's third largest agricultural export after cotton and sesame. The PADA/REDD+ project received support from the African Development Bank, which granted a loan of $4 million, and the African Development Fund, the Bank Group's concessional funding window, with a grant of $1.39 million, representing 61 percent of the total project cost of $8.82 million. The government of Burkina Faso and the beneficiaries provided the remaining funding. The project mobilised the necessary resources to contribute to the sustainable transformation of the Cascades, Hauts Bassins and South-West regions, with significant participation from women. It enabled producers to reduce maintenance costs, improve soil fertility and structure, and increase cashew productivity and incomes in a sustainable manner. Climate action combined with agricultural production The first component of the PADA/REDD+ focused on carbon sequestration. This resulted in the creation of seven tree parks, the production of more than 1.6 million improved seedlings and the development of approximately 27,000 hectares of agroforestry plantations. One-third of these plantations are maintained by women, underlining the project's commitment to promoting social inclusion. A total of 35,340 producers, including 6,047 women, were trained in good agricultural and organic practices. This capacity-building approach for producers and processors equipped each stakeholder with the skills required to meet their needs and expectations, particularly in mastering technical production and processing methods. Adama Patrick Sombié, a cashew nut processor in Bérégadougou, confirms his satisfaction: "Before the project, there were no cashew tree parks in the village, only forest and a few orchards. When the project offered plots to promoters, I signed up and received two hectares." Access to finance and modernization of processing The second component of the project focused on strengthening value chains. Long hampered by limited access to finance, the sector's development has benefited from an innovative partnership with the umbrella organisation of Burkina Faso's Caisses populaires banks, alongside savings and loan cooperatives. This mechanism enabled investment loans to be granted based on a sliding scale of interest rates, financing 103 microprojects for a total of 888 million CFA francs, or approximately $500,000. The project also created 9,580 additional "green" jobs, 92.66 percent of which were for women, by financing micro-investment projects. Thanks to the funding provided, seven processing units were modernised. A new unit called "Tensya" was established in the commune of Toussiana, and three warehouses were built, one of which is reserved for women. The project also enabled the purchase of 12 trucks and 45 tricycles, training in good practices for 631 people, strengthening the environmental skills of 477 stakeholders, and the construction and equipping of infrastructure such as a cooking and shelling centre for women in Diéri, entirely subsidised by the African Development Bank. An inclusive and sustainable impact These microprojects reached nearly 18,000 people, 61 percent of whom were women, further strengthening the inclusive approach of PADA/REDD+. "This project is a blessing for us. Thanks to the income generated, we can send our children to school and keep them healthy. Before, we used to sell our products at rock-bottom prices, but now, with our own processing units, we control the entire value chain," says Aramatou Barro, a processor in Diéri. Christiane Koné, a processor in Toussiana, confirms this postive impact: "Thanks to the project, we have been able to purchase six automatic shelling machines, which are twice as fast as our 25 manual shelling tables." At the same time, the project structured supply networks, ensured that 96 cooperatives complied with OHADA (Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa) standards and implemented an environmental management plan. Working conditions have improved significantly. Isso Kindo, a trader in Bobo-Dioulasso, says: "Transport was our main obstacle. Today, thanks to the truck financed by the project, I can transport up to 60 tonnes of nuts from the towns of Banfora and Mangodara." The impact of PADA/REDD+ can also be measured in terms of job creation for young people and rural entrepreneurs. In Orodara, Arzouma Zougouri, a producer and business owner, explains that "the project's support has enabled me to better equip my processing unit. I've gone from 200 to 300 employees," he says proudly. By structuring the cashew nut sector sustainably, increasing productivity and strengthening local processing, PADA/REDD+ achieved its objectives whilst laying the foundations for more resilient rural development. Its contribution to carbon sequestration through agroforestry plantations strengthens its environmental impact. Perennial plantations, modernised agricultural practices, a strengthened local processing network and better access to finance were the pillars of this success. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
South China Morning Post
14-07-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Chinese women, both ex-domestic abuse victims, live as platonic partners amid rising trend
Two Chinese women in their fifties who suffered from domestic abuse have been living together for 13 years as friends in a new form of partnership. Advertisement The women's living arrangement is increasingly becoming the dream of many women in China. Ju Ma, 59, lives with her best friend, Yan, 51, in southern China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. They are business partners in the construction industry. The pair bought a flat together, travelled together, and were honest with each other about their income and savings. Childless Yan treats Ju Ma's 28-year-old daughter, Ju, as her own daughter. The two women are living the best life and say they are happier than they have ever been. Photo: They are not lovers, but both said their relationship is better than most couples.
The Guardian
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Online ‘guru girlies' promise a better life, but is it too good to be true?
About two years ago, a self-professed 'goddess coach' called Jaelyn posted an eight hour-long 'sleep affirmation' video which, according to many a satisfied viewer, has worked wonders for them. In a somewhat sultry, meditative voice she repeats mantras and welcomes her listeners to attract 'the kind of men and people who will always treat you like a goddess'. The video, boldly titled Attract Men Who Spend Money, Provide and Love You! is one of many in a genre of content that is booming on YouTube and social media. I call them 'guru girlies', and they are proving a force to be reckoned with. In their rather austere imparting of wisdom, guru girlies have become many young women's go-to guide for all manner of modern conundrums. The spectrum of gurus is vast, but their advice is mainly focused on the idea of 'levelling up'. From your diet to dressing better to your choice in friends or men, if you want to live your dream life, self-improvement is the prerequisite; the comprehensive physical, financial and spiritual sine qua non that any woman needs to become her best and dream self. When it comes to the physical, gurus give detailed insight on how to glow up and rebrand your life, often using themselves as examples of how, given the right mindset and Pinterest boards, they were able to lose weight, reduce acne, stay on trend and become a modern standard of beauty that social media sits before in awe. Spiritually, guru girlies are invariably enamoured with manifestation techniques, subliminal messaging and the universe's seeming interest in giving us every abundance if only we'd ask it to. If you are feeling unfulfilled, it's time to access your divine feminine energy. One guru describes this energy as 'self-prioritisation', performing ritualistic (and often costly) tasks of feminine self-care such as gratitude journaling, healthy eating and skincare routines, all in a bid to get back from the world what you put into it. How conveniently straightforward this all seems, and yet how odd that these young guru girlies are lauded as bringers of divine secrets in all matters feminine. Financially, gurus typically see men as a means to a life of wealth and abundance. Creators such as Leticia Padua, known by her devoted following as SheraSeven, claims that because all men cheat ('it's just a matter of time'), it's important for women to find the cheater with the most money. This financial levelling up – a mindset that involves distinguishing between high-value, provider men and what Shera calls 'dusties' – has proved highly popular. And that's because at the root of all this content is a brewing disappointment that many a young woman, scrolling through her social media and navigating a rapidly changing modern world, is bound to feel. A disappointment with modern love and prospects, with our unfiltered face and appearance, and with the fact that real life isn't nearly as ideal as it is online. Guru girlies are there to bridge the gap between your disappointing reality and the ideal they purport to embody, right before you onscreen. This is done by submitting to the system, not as an act of defeat but as empowerment. Arguably the most well-known guru, Thewizardliz (known as Liz) is a case in point. 'Start expecting good treatment, start expecting to be spoiled, start expecting him to give you money,' she instructs in a video. 'Princess treatment' isn't so much seen as infantilising or disempowering as it is heralded by many guru girlies as a righteous investment in becoming your highest, most feminine self, courtesy of a provider man. However just last week, a four-months pregnant Liz accused her 'provider' husband, YouTuber and software CEO Landon Nickerson of messaging another woman. In all of this, there is no doubt an addictive nature to self-improvement that explains why a new guru, delivering the same old message, seems to blow up every other week. In an age where ever-changing trends dictate our dreams and ideals, where there is always some undiscovered aspect of ourselves to improve on, we are conveniently primed to keep going back to these gurus in a vain attempt to change who we fundamentally are. 'The internet is making us feel like there is always something we could be improving, and there's a sense that we feel no choice but to try and keep up sometimes,' says former guru follower Just a Girl in Paris in a video critique. What's fortunate for these gurus is that, because the onus of failing to self-improve is always placed on you, your misery and dissatisfaction perfectly places you to keep returning to her either for advice or, increasingly it would seem, for comfort. Because the truth is, much of what makes these guru girlies convincing isn't the success rate of their advice, it is the parasocial relationship they bring to the already toxic world of self-improvement and wellness culture. Audiences see their favourite influencer less as a guru than as a kind of ideal friend: the pretty, rich, self-confident and inaccessible woman who, in real life, would never actually be our friend. Many gurus have fostered a false intimacy with their audience that has become a given. 'She's literally like every girl's older sister,' says one of Thewizardliz's followers. 'Sometimes I forget she is a famous influencer and not my best friend who gives me advice on FaceTime,' reads another of the countless adoring comments. Viewers find comfort and ease in a superficial albeit meaningful relationship that isn't rooted in the messy ups and downs of a real friendship. Their guru friend tells them everything they want to hear about creating their dream life, which only requires intangibles such as affirmations, cutting off disappointing people or a mindset shift. So even if taking all these steps proves to be joyless and wanting, at least your guru, ready with her next upload, will be there to be your ideal friend, all over again. Zandile Powell is a video essayist and writer. A version of this essay first appeared on her YouTube channel Kidology
