Abuse against women is a global epidemic that affects women of all ages, races, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and locations. While society has made progress in recent decades, there is still much work to be done to empower women and girls, provide them with equal opportunities, and protect them from harm. As parents and members of society, we all have a role to play in making the world a safer, more just place for women. Here are some of the most important ways we can raise and empower women against abuse:
Promote Gender Equality to Empower Women Against Abuse
Promoting gender equality starts in the home. As parents, we should treat our sons and daughters equally from day one. Make it clear that girls can grow up to be anything they want – doctors, scientists, pilots, professional athletes, CEOs – just like boys. Expose them to role models of strong, accomplished women. Give them toys and books showing women in leadership roles. Let them pursue their interests without regard to gender stereotypes. Instill the belief that we are all equal, regardless of gender.
Avoid expressions that reinforce gender roles or sexism, even casually. Words matter, and the language we use sends a message. Use gender-neutral terms like “police officer” instead of “policeman,” or “humankind” instead of “mankind.” Point out and discuss any gender bias you may see in books, TV shows, movies, or advertisements with your children. Help them become critical thinkers regarding limiting gender roles.
Teach Girls Bodily Autonomy from a Young Age
Girls need to know that their body belongs to them alone. Teach them the proper names for body parts early on. Let them decide when they are ready for hugs or physical affection. Do not force them to touch or be touched by others if they don’t want to be. Respect their right to refuse kisses and cuddling, even from relatives. This lays the foundation for them to speak up for women against abuse.
When they are old enough, educate girls about puberty, sex, and reproduction. Give them age-appropriate information about their changing bodies before their first periods. Make sure they know they can come to you with any questions or concerns. Provide them with medically accurate, comprehensive sex education. Knowledge is power, and informed girls are better able to advocate for their sexual health and safety.
Model and Encourage Assertiveness
Many cultures teach girls from a young age to be polite, quiet, and obedient. However, this can leave them vulnerable to abuse, unable to stand up for themselves.
Instead, model assertive behavior for your daughters. Show them it is okay to speak up directly when something bothers or upsets them. Encourage them to say “Stop, I don’t like that” if someone invasion their personal space or makes them uncomfortable. Let them know their feelings and boundaries matter. Compliment them when you see them standing up for themselves.
Sign girls up for assertiveness training courses or self-defense classes. These can give them the skills and confidence to firmly say no to unwanted advances. Role-play potential scenarios with them to practice being assertive. The more comfortable girls are setting boundaries and voicing their needs, the less likely they will be victimized.
Have Open Conversations About Healthy Relationships
As tweens and teens start dating, they need to understand what constitutes a healthy relationship. Make yourself available for open, non-judgmental discussions about romantic relationships. Help them recognize signs of an unhealthy or abusive relationship, like a partner who:
- Check their phone or isolate themselves from family/friends
- Makes them feel nervous, fearful, or controlled
- Pressures or forces them into physical intimacy
- Threatens, guilt trips or verbally abuses them
- Physically hurts them in any way
Stress that abuse is never okay, even from a boyfriend or girlfriend. Let them know violence typically escalates over time. Teach them to end unhealthy relationships safely and seek support. Make it clear they deserve respect in any relationship.
Discuss Sexual Harassment and Assault
From catcalling to inappropriate workplace comments to molestation, most women experience some form of sexual harassment or assault. Don’t wait for it to happen to your daughter to bring up these difficult topics. Have proactive talks about recognizing inappropriate and criminal sexual behavior.
Explain that harassment and assault are always the perpetrator’s fault, not the victim’s. Make sure your daughter knows she can come to you if she experiences abuse of any kind. Assure her you will believe and support her if someone hurts her. Discourage victim-blaming mentalities like “She asked for it” or “Boys will be boys”. Stress that she deserves to feel safe and respected.
Allow Age-Appropriate Independence
As girls grow up, avoid imposing arbitrary rules meant to “protect” them, which can instill fear. For example, don’t prohibit them from walking places alone or seeing certain friends if they are old enough. Instead, build their confidence and street smarts to navigate the world safely.
Let them spread their wings step by step. Ease up on curfews as they mature to encourage responsibility. Get to know their friends so you feel comfortable with their choices. Have periodic non-judgmental talks about staying safe and avoiding risky situations without limiting their independence. The more freedom they have to make choices, the more empowered they will feel.
Inspire Girls to Pursue Their Dreams
Women and girls continue to face barriers in fields like STEM, finance, law enforcement, and government. They are underrepresented in leadership roles, influential professions, and higher-paying jobs.
Combat outdated mindsets by exposing girls to diverse, inspiring role models. Show them examples of powerful women who pursued male-dominated careers like astronauts, neuroscientists, entrepreneurs, and politicians. Discuss the positive changes they made. When girls express interest in a particular profession, encourage them to learn more and set goals. Provide them with resources to explore various educational paths. Make it clear the sky is the limit for their futures if they work hard.
Get Involved in Advocacy and Awareness
From equal pay and reproductive rights to protection from trafficking and violence, women’s issues should matter to all of us. Get involved in promoting gender equality locally and globally. Volunteer or fund-raise for organizations that empower vulnerable women through healthcare, education, job training, and safety. Support victims by donating to women’s shelters or crisis hotlines.
Stay informed on current laws and policies concerning women’s rights. Vote for candidates who prioritize issues like equal pay, paid family leave, and anti-discrimination protections. Write or call government representatives urging them to support key legislation. Raising socially aware daughters goes hand-in-hand with being an advocate yourself.
Foster Media Literacy & Critical Thinking
TV shows, movies, advertisements, and other media strongly influence cultural attitudes about gender roles, sexuality, and violence. As media consumption grows, it’s vital to teach girls to think critically about the media messages surrounding them.
Point out gender stereotypes or sexualization in age-appropriate media. Analyze messages that tell women their looks and bodies define their worth. Discuss positive female characters who challenge beauty ideals and sexist assumptions. Learn to identify unrealistic or dangerous relationship portrayals that glamorize control, jealousy, and aggression.
Promote diverse media created by and for women. Follow body-positive influencers who reject unrealistic beauty standards. Look for books, TV shows, and movies with empowered, non-sexualized heroines. Ensure your daughter knows her value is not determined by narrow media representations.
Surround Her with Strong Female Role Models
They say “You can’t be what you can’t see.” Surround your daughter with a diverse community of positive women role models. Enroll her in programs led by accomplished female mentors. Arrange job shadowing for her with women thriving in careers of interest. Introduce her to female leaders making a difference locally or nationally. The more examples she has of smart, confident women excelling in all areas of life, the more she can see that same potential in herself.
Make sure Grandma, Aunt Sally, and Mom’s best friend Linda have a presence in her life, not just superstar celebrities. Invite your own inspirational friends and colleagues to chat with your daughter one-on-one when possible. This allows her to learn from their experiences on a personal level. Expose her to everyday women who uplift each other so she understands the importance of female solidarity.
Seeing possibility models who look like her gives girls the courage to dream big, speak up, and lean on their inner strength.
Lead by Example
Mothers, as well as fathers, have an obligation to model the behavior they want to see in their daughters. Speak and conduct yourself in a manner you would be proud of for your daughter to emulate. Show her firsthand what self-respect looks like in your own words, actions, relationships, and career. Demonstrate confidence in defending your beliefs and setting boundaries. Surround yourself with people who honor your worth.
Never tolerate abuse or disrespect in your own relationships. Make healthy choices you feel good about. Show her life skills like financial independence, trusting your intuition, overcoming setbacks, and succeeding in male-dominated spaces. Your example has an enormous influence on developing values like self-reliance, resilience, and equality in her formative years.
Embody Empowerment
By embodying empowering women against abuse in your everyday life, you show your daughter what it looks like to be a strong, liberated woman. Never underestimate the power of your presence. Your self-assuredness gives your daughter permission to internalize that same fortitude.
See yourself and help her see herself as capable, valuable, and deserving of respect. Let these beliefs drive your words and actions. Demonstrate confidence in defending your rights and boundaries, while showing compassion for others. Surround yourself with people who honor your worth. Make choices that reflect your self-love.
Speak out against injustice, misogyny, or dangerous stereotypes. Stand up for other women facing adversity. But also know your limits and take time for self-care when needed. Forgive yourself for missteps along the way – you are human after all. Show resilience in the face of obstacles. Embrace and laugh at the humor in life. Find joy in uplifting other women.
Let your daughter discover the spirit of empowerment already inside her by living it genuinely yourself.
Conclusion
While we still have a long way to go to eliminate abuse and oppression, everyone can contribute to positive change. The most effective place to start is in our homes and communities, raising strong, secure, empowered girls. They are the next generation of women who will lead us forward.
By teaching equality, respect, assertiveness, independence, and critical thinking from a young age, we equip girls to advocate for themselves and other women against abuse. We must provide access to information, resources, and role models to help them recognize their limitless potential. Encouraging media literacy, pursuing advocacy work, fostering supportive communities, and leading by empowered example are all key.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the main forms of abuse against women in society?
A: The most prevalent forms are domestic violence, sexual assault/harassment, sex trafficking, discriminatory practices, and oppressive sociocultural norms that disempower women. Abuse takes many forms including physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, financial, and psychological.
Q: At what age should parents start teaching girls about abuse prevention and healthy relationships?
A: Age-appropriate education can begin in early childhood. As girls grow, parents should openly discuss body autonomy, consent, boundaries, equality, and signs of unhealthy relationships. Ongoing open dialogues as teens start dating help prevent abuse.
Q: Why is it problematic to impose strict rules on girls meant to protect them?
A: Overly restrictive rules can instill fear, limit independence and self-confidence, and prevent girls from learning to assess risks. Allowing appropriate freedom helps girls develop autonomy and smart decision-making skills to reduce harm.
Q: What are examples of empowering extracurriculars for girls?
A: Sports teams, STEM/leadership camps, assertiveness training, coding/tech classes, speech/debate clubs, martial arts lessons, volunteer programs at women’s organizations, feminist book clubs, and more. Activities that build confidence and inspire girls’ interests are ideal.
Q: How can boys/men be good allies in preventing the abuse of women?
A: They can speak up against sexism, promote respectful attitudes and behaviors, believe women who disclose abuse, call out inappropriate jokes/actions, vote for policies helping women, donate to women’s causes, and educate other men and boys about gender equality.
