Step Towards Women Empowerment

It is distressing to read the news each day and discover how many social injustices, particularly in poor nations like Nepal, victimise women and girls. Patriarchal practises exacerbate women's suffering and leave them with a social, psychological, and bodily imbalance. In reality, gender stereotypes that restrict women and girls in patriarchal societies prevent them from reaching their full potential both personally and in terms of their ability to shine and advance. They don't have the opportunity to openly convey their thoughts, thus they don't have the public speaking or presentation abilities that are highly valued in the academic and professional worlds. 

Enhancing their inner resources and public-speaking or presentation skills is a difficult but doable endeavour. Every issue has a solution, and in this situation, aiding women and girls in gaining mass-facing or presenting skills is one of the most effective ways to empower them. With the use of this talent, they could be able to express themselves freely and go from a condition of deprivation, pain, and oppression to one of abundance. They might be allowed to continue their chosen academic and professional paths. 

They might not be forced to live out the aspirations of their parents, family, and society. Because they may be conscious of brainwashing, they could be less susceptible to others' beliefs, values, and ideologies. They could develop into a free-thinker who benefits their family, their society, and the country as a whole.

Many people have nervousness when making presentations, but girls and women are more likely than males to experience anxiety, especially in patriarchal societies. Due to the restrictions of their cultural norms, they lack the courage to speak in front of large crowds or freely express their ideas to anybody. Problematic interactions have resulted from this in both their personal and professional lives as well as their academic and professional endeavours.

 Helping people improve their mass-facing or presenting abilities has been a major topic of several research projects. In particular for vulnerable communities, this may assist women and girls learn this talent. The empowerment of women is one of the top priorities of the UN's development objectives. In order to achieve their rights and independence, women and girls must be empowered.

Presentation Techniques

In giving a presentation, there are several techniques to get over your nervousness or anxiety. Understanding the subject matter, seeking treatment for chronic performance anxiety, and making lifestyle adjustments can all help. Important aspects in preparing women and girls for presentations include having mastery of the subject matter (preparation), practising the presenting topic, and positively nourishing the mind (positive reinforcement). 

The contents should be prepared in advance. However, practise is much more crucial for increasing confidence. Understanding the material is helpful, but it won't cure the issue, thus they must regularly practise to deliver the presentation. Also, kids should fully understand the speech's substance as well as be aware of its purpose rather than simply memorising it. 

In this manner, they may provide an alternative explanation if they run out of words and prevent panic. Similar to how they should routinely practise yoga, meditation, appropriate breathing techniques, and be exposed to a greener, oxygen-rich atmosphere, so as to quiet the mind. These techniques may be able to eliminate all forms of fear, both within and externally.

In a similar vein, overcoming fear requires having a positive outlook on life. It is a positive reinforcement action that significantly raises confidence. Try stating, "I'll never truly know what the audience will think of me, but I'm going to give my performance the mark it deserves," instead of, "What if I forget the substance of my presentation?" To educate the subconscious mind to behave appropriately, people must repeatedly engage in positive self-talk as a kind of positive affirmation. They ought to pursue strategies that will result in favourable outcomes in this regard. The finest thing to do is to be who you are; this makes one seem more genuine and important.

Similar to how positive visualisation improves unsuccessful presentations. Students should see themselves making persuasive speeches in front of a crowd that are funny, self-assured, knowledgeable, and wise. In this regard, the speaker should constantly visualise success by emphasising their strengths and coping with difficult circumstances. In a similar vein, the speaker should concentrate on the message's genuine purpose, that is, the intentions or goals underlying it. Also, the performer should ignore any off-task thinking. Avoid, for instance, beliefs that lead to poor self-esteem and self-doubt.

Also, altering one's lifestyle works wonders in lowering performance anxiety. The regular practise of yoga, meditation, and breathing techniques is recommended. Moreover, reducing caffeine intake, avoiding junk food, drinking plenty of water, and eating some fruits and vegetables before a performance may all have a favourable impact. Similarly, having a good night's rest the night before the performance is crucial. The performer needs to put an end to their own criticism. They shouldn't consider, for instance, how the others in the room will see them. Progress is slowed down by thinking about such things. Breathing exercises substantially boost a person's vitality and fill them with optimism, which helps to heal all types of anxieties and uncertainties. With its quick and shallow breaths, anxiety steals one's equilibrium. One should inhale and exhale deeply a few times before getting on stage.

Mental Clarity

It promotes mental clarity and a pleasant elevation of energy. One may regulate their nerves by being conscious of their breathing. It also strengthens and gives the voice more force. Also, it's important to live by the accepting principle. The audience observes the exhibits of tranquilly and patience. Hence, the performer shouldn't freak out in a difficult scenario; instead, they should accept it quietly and begin acting naturally by giving up attempting to be flawless, which will reward them with better outcomes.

The education system must include these skills to ensure the empowerment of women and girls, according to governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and international non-governmental organisations (INGOs).

They might be able to realise their full potential thanks to this. Girls and women can be incredibly effective change agents. They are the centre of progress, and by putting children first, we can end the cycle of poverty and a biassed society. We can support them in avoiding child marriage, waiting until they have established careers and higher levels of education before getting married, and achieving financial independence. Several good benefits may be seen in the form of positive ripple effects across families, communities, and even nations when women and girls are put at the centre of development.

(The writer is a lecturer of English at Global College of Management. pushpaapriya@gmail.com)