By: Veera Mahajan
NFBPWC Gender Based Violence Committee Chair 

Empowering Women: Embrace Self-Respect and Self-Love to Eradicate Domestic Abuse

In today's world, where women play pivotal roles in the business sphere, it's crucial to recognize the significance of self-respect, self-love, and their connection to combating abuse at home and at the workplace. As empowered businesswomen, it's our responsibility to foster awareness and advocate for change in societal attitudes towards these issues.

Understanding Self-Respect and Self-Love:

Self-respect is the cornerstone of empowerment. It involves acknowledging one's inherent worth and setting boundaries that honor personal values. Self-love complements this by nurturing a compassionate relationship with oneself. These principles are vital in building a foundation for a strong, empowered individual.

Domestic Abuse: Breaking the Silence:

Unfortunately, domestic abuse remains a pervasive issue affecting women across all walks of life. It's crucial to recognize the signs and understand that abuse is not just physical; it encompasses emotional, financial, and psychological aspects. By breaking the silence and fostering an open dialogue, we create a safe space for victims to seek support.  By speaking up we also encourage women to speak up when an imbalance of power shows up at work. 

Empowerment through Self-Respect:

Empowerment begins with respecting oneself. In the business world, it translates to setting boundaries, advocating for fair treatment, and rejecting any form of discrimination or abuse. Encouraging a workplace culture that prioritizes respect and inclusion is pivotal in empowering women.

Self-love isn't indulgent; it's necessary for mental and emotional well-being. By practicing self-care, nurturing healthy relationships, and embracing personal growth, we fortify ourselves against external negativity. This resilience allows us to navigate challenges, including those stemming from domestic abuse.

I did a fundraiser in October for Period Poverty through my foundation called Foundation for Women at Risk. We help underprivileged women in Agra, India. These young girls and women in India are kept in dark rooms for the five days they have periods like something is wrong with them.  The group I work with is called Indian Dream Foundation.  This group produces sanitary napkins and donates them to the local girls and women who cannot afford them. They also educate the girls and their families about period hygiene and that this is a normal biological phenomenon. So, the girls are not looked down upon and so the girls feel good about themselves. 

During my recent trip to India, I met a lot of men and women including Jalpa Vithalani, President of NFBPW, Mumbai, who are very dedicated to supporting this very important and natural medical condition. 

(Pictured Right:  Jalpa and Veera)

As businesswomen, our platform allows us to amplify voices and initiate change. Engaging in awareness campaigns, supporting organizations dedicated to combating domestic abuse, and using our influence to advocate for policy changes are impactful ways to create a ripple effect of empowerment. 

The journey towards empowerment, driven by self-respect and self-love, is intertwined with the fight against domestic abuse. As businesswomen, let's harness our strength, knowledge, and network to foster a culture of respect, support victims, and drive meaningful change.