Embracing The Power of Women Warriors

Women’s Strength in the Face of Adversity

I am in awe, as I witness time and time again how women embody strength, courage, determination, and survival. In a world that's been historically skewed, our experience has been about gaining equity, reclaiming narratives, reshaping structures, and reaffirming our irrefutable value. Women aren't merely adapting; they are continually innovating amidst chaos. Motherhood, careers, caregiving, societal expectations – in a relentless act of balance. Yet, despite our crucial contributions, society has failed to acknowledge and protect us.

Fighting for Real Equity, Not Empty Gestures

When we truly examine the challenges women and girls face today, it paints a harsh reality expressing blatant acts of sexism and racism, other isms, insidious microaggressions, deep-rooted stereotypes, systemic discrimination, and inequity.

The consistent tactics of invalidation, abuse, violence, silencing, gaslighting, control and division are often used to suppress women’s voices and limit their progress.

These forces damage mental health, well-being, restrict opportunities, and stifle the enormous potential women have to contribute meaningfully to society. The result is a cycle that undermines both individual progress and the collective advancement of communities.

Black Women and Impact of Intersectional Oppression

Women's experiences are diverse and complex. For Black women, our experience is shaped not only by gender but also by the added layer of racism. The challenges we face today are influenced by both historical trauma and current issues.

These intersecting oppressions go beyond just racism and sexism, encompassing factors like age, religion, physical ability, neurodiversity, and socio-economic status. Addressing these challenges requires solutions that are as varied and complex as the problems themselves, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

The problems faced by women—such as stereotypes, abuse, discrimination, and exclusion—have lasting impacts on our mental health. These experiences often lead to conditions like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These issues are widespread, with significant data reflecting the mental health impact on women in the UK, the US, and globally.

The Toll on Women’s Mental Health

In the UK, research from Mind shows that 1 in 5 women will experience a common mental health problem such as anxiety or depression in any given week. A survey by Agenda revealed that women who face abuse, poverty, or other forms of discrimination are more likely to develop serious mental health conditions. In particular, women who have experienced domestic abuse are three times more likely to suffer from depression and PTSD.

Studies have shown that women make up 73% of people who receive treatment for PTSD in the UK.

In the US, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), women are twice as likely as men to suffer from depression, with around 10-25% of women experiencing this condition during their lives.

Anxiety disorders are prevalent among 23% of women, and those who have been exposed to trauma, especially gender-based violence, have a significantly higher risk of developing PTSD.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also reports that women are more likely to face psychological distress due to discrimination and abuse.

On a global scale, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that depression affects approximately 264 million people worldwide, with women being disproportionately affected.

Globally, women are nearly twice as likely to experience anxiety disorders as men. According to the WHO, violence against women is a significant contributor to these mental health problems. For example, it is estimated that 35% of women worldwide have experienced either physical or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. Such experiences are directly linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Breaking the Cycle: Supporting Women’s Health & Well-Being

These challenges highlight the profound mental health effects of systemic issues like discrimination, abuse, and exclusion.

Women facing intersecting oppressions—such as racism, socio-economic disparities, or gender-based violence—are at even higher risk for mental health issues.

Fortunately, mental health awareness is increasing, with advocates pushing for more comprehensive support systems. There is growing recognition of the need for trauma-informed care and accessible mental health resources, which are crucial for addressing the unique mental health needs of women and girls.

In the UK, US, and globally, addressing these embedded struggles requires a continued focus on developing inclusive and holistic mental health solutions that consider the various difficulties women face.

Enough with the Lip Service!

Real change does not come from complacency or empty gestures. Women’s and girls’ rights, their roles, and their voices cannot merely be a check box exercise. To create meaningful change, we need real actions, rather than lip service. Women must have genuine representation, leadership roles, and platforms where their contributions shape outcomes.

Women are no longer waiting for approval or validation. We are leading the charge, breaking barriers, and setting new standards.

Our strength does not come from society’s approval but from our ability to adapt, survive, alongside our diverse experiences, and the collective power we possess.

10 Strategies for Driving Transformative Change for Women

To support this transformative change, here are 10 strategies that can drive real progress:

1. Increase Representation in Leadership: Ensure that women have access to leadership positions across sectors, from business to politics. This includes mentoring programmes and clear pathways to leadership roles.
2. Equal Pay and Economic Empowerment: Enforce policies that close the gender, race and disability pay gaps and provide women with equal economic opportunities, including better access to capital for women entrepreneurs.
3. Education and Skills Development: Provide equal access to education and skills training for women and girls, especially in traditionally male-dominated fields like STEM.
4. Strengthen Legal Protections: Improve and enforce laws that protect women from discrimination, violence, and harassment, both in the workplace and in society at large.
5. Inclusive Workplaces: Promote workplace policies that support women, such as paid parental leave, flexible working hours, and anti-discrimination measures to create a more inclusive work environment.
6. Address Gender-Based Violence: Create stronger support systems for survivors of gender-based violence, including access to legal support, healthcare, and mental health services.
7. Promote Intersectionality: Recognize that women face different challenges based on race, class, and other factors, and create tailored solutions that address the specific needs of marginalized groups.
8. Support Mental Health: Provide accessible mental health services, particularly for women facing trauma, abuse, or discrimination, to help them recover and thrive.
9. Amplify Women’s Voices: Give women more platforms to share their perspectives and ideas, ensuring that their voices are heard in decision-making spaces at all levels.
10. Change Cultural Norms: Challenge and dismantle harmful stereotypes and cultural norms that limit women’s opportunities, from childhood education to media representation.

By implementing these strategies, society can take genuine steps toward transformative change, ensuring that women and girls are not just participants but leaders in shaping the future.