A recent study where 40 participants—20 males and 20 females— were engaged in three-minute conversations showed that women interrupted men just once, on average. Yet men interrupted women 2.6 times, according to leader.pubs.asha.org. This shows that when a man says he has something to say everyone pays attention to hear what it is all about, in most cases. When a woman says the same, it is taken lightly. This may be because women are constantly rendered weak-minded.
Women want to be listened to with the same level of intensity as men do. For a woman to be listened to is a big deal in society. The experience of being heard as a woman can manifest in various ways. For instance, a woman may want many people to attend a meeting or a gathering she arranged, for them to hear her ideas or proposals towards different developmental issues in society. However, only a few people might be able to show up. In most cases, the few are women as they often find themselves being heard and understood by their fellows. This impacts her and society in several ways. For instance, she may look down on herself and back off from future events, and there is a loss of talent and potential for societal progress and development.
Women do not only want to be heard but understood also. They want to feel that their voice matters. The world is changing and hearing what a woman has to say shows and promotes equality. In cases whereby a woman's words are taken seriously, her self-esteem and confidence are boosted as well as a sense of empowerment. It validates their experiences, opinions, and ideas, fostering a belief in their own worth and capabilities. Therefore women are further empowered to voice out fearlessly and with confidence on different matters that may promote, for example the economic status in the country and aid developments.
Just like men, women's words can push for actions that can make the world a better place. Look at what happens when women are given a platform to be heard. Women like, Dr. Joyce Banda, the first female Malawian president who also happens to be the founder of Joyce Banda Foundation, the National Association of Business Women and the Young Women Leaders Network, just to mention a few. By looking at her works, others are surely empowered, inspired and motivated.
To conclude, women want to be heard, listened to and understood. Women want to feel that their voice matters too in the country. If there is a need for guidance, then let them be guided without any judgement. Make sure that they not only feel appreciated and welcomed, but also that their opinions and views on either political, economic and social issues are valued and respected.
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