Kerala Syllabus Plus Two English Notes Unit I Chapter 1 The 3 Ls of Empowerment

Chapter 1: The 3Ls of Empowerment

Summary

The 3 Ls of women's Empowerment is a thought-provoking speech delivered by Christine Lagarde, the first women Finance Minister of the G8 economy and the head of the International Monitory Fund (IMF). She explains the three key factors which constitute women's empowerment as learning, labor, and leadership. She also emphasizes the attitudinal changes that have to happen in the mind of the people.

Education is the fundamental means to bring any desired change in society; it enables women to acquire knowledge, skills, and techniques which will help them in their personal and social growth as well as foster their sensitivity towards problems in society. Education not only helps in the development of the personality of the child but also determines his future. It has been said 'if you educate a man you educate a person, but if you educate a woman you educate the entire village'. Education of the girl child would mean the emancipation of women and the social development of the nation. Lack of education is the root cause of women’s exploitation and negligence. Economical independence in a male-dominated society is necessary for the empowerment of women. Only literacy and education can help women to secure a decent job and economic stability which make her powerful enough to claim social right and equity.

Any change we desire to see in society should begin with ourselves. Women's empowerment is not possible without changing the attitude of society. Government policies and regulations alone cannot bring women empowerment. It should be begun from the home itself. We have to provide a congenial situation to the women members of our family enough space to express their views and aspirations in matters related to the family. We should dare to change the existing practices of considering women as second-class citizens. The age-old customs of considering women as the underprivileged and subjugated citizens should be abandoned. We should avoid all the restrictions in the names of religion, culture, and other social barriers which prevent women from acquiring quality education and restrict them from coming into the limelight of society. If we dare to face the challenges and do our responsibilities the difference will deliver.

Related Questions

a) What are the 3 Ls of Empowerment?

• Learning
• Labour
• Leadership

b) What is the meaning of impediment?

Barrier

c) Ways of Empowering Women:

• Giving quality education.
• Giving equal status and equal wages.
• Providing job opportunities.
• Providing social Justice.
• Ensuring participation in all fields.
• Developing the culture of inclusion.
• Providing better health care.
• Giving social security.

d) Prepare five questions for an interview with Christine Lagarde:

1. Tell us about your childhood.
2. What are the challenging tasks before women in the world?
3. Why did you select this field?
4. How can we build self-confidence in women?
5. What is your message to us?

e) How to prevent atrocities against women in our society?

• Conducting awareness programs.
• Developing the culture of social inclusion.
• Strict implementation of the law.
• Establishment of fast-track courts to handle cases of atrocities.
• Establishment of guidance and counselling centres in all villages.
• Adopt a better rehabilitation policy.

f) Importance of education in Women empowerment:

• Education is a golden way to success.
• Paves the way for human resource development.
• Provides more opportunities and develops personality.
• Improves knowledge and creativity.
• Gives hope, dreams, and better life training.

g) Posters for Women empowerment:

• "Educate Women, Save our Society"
• "Stop discrimination, Protect social justice"
• "Marginalization is a crime against democracy"

h) Major qualities of a woman to attain success in life:

• Self-confidence, Hard work, and Life skills.
• Patience and Perseverance.
• Social outlook and Emotional intelligence.

i) Women should step outside their comfort zones - Discuss:

The majority of women in the world feel comfortable within the four walls of their homes. They are not ready to take up challenging jobs to prove their ability. They are only selecting safe jobs like teaching and nursing. Really they are blessed with unlimited abilities. The statement "Women should step outside their comfort zones" is a great call towards women for a new world. We have great women personalities like Indira Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Kalpana Chawla as examples.