Elevating Women's Voices Is Key To Development: Shenali Rajaratnam

The two-day event, the Power of Women Digital Conference 2023 coincides with the G20 Summit. With primary objectives to elevate the voices of women, encourage cooperation, and advocate for gender equality and inclusive approaches, the conference centres its discussions on various themes, including music, media, and entertainment.

Remarkable female leaders in fields related to well-being; and strategies for achieving a sustainable future. Speakers are expected to follow specific guidelines and actively interact with the audience through live polling.

Shenali Rajaratnam On Why  Elevating Women's Voice Matters

On the first day of the conference, the Founder of We Are The Hope Shenali Rajaratnam spoke about the 'Power of Women' anthem. She said, 'The conference represents the symbolic transition that embraces and accepts women's power as mothers, daughters, sisters, and queens.'

Speaking of gender equality as one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Rajaratnam stated, 'In the women's movement, it is time to transcend from being silent leaders of society and step into the power we innately possess as women.' 

In the Power of Women movement, we are not striving to create a world where women are simply equal to men, but one where women are recognized and celebrated for the unique strengths and perspectives we bring to the world. Women today are tired of lifting the weight of the world on their shoulders and they demand a balance.

Themes For The Conference

Explaining the themes that will be discussed during the conference, Rajaratnam said, 'We will be exploring three major themes that will apply to every woman regardless of where or who she is. Each theme has a subtheme and there are seven areas of well-being, five 'Ps' of the UN's 17 SDGs and eight sectors that contribute to a culture of peace.'

Talking about the seven well-being themes, she explained that the areas are; psychological, physical, social, economic, emotional, spiritual and environmental. Five Ps are, people, peace, partnerships, prosperity and plurality.

Speaking about the basic human rights of a lady, she said, 'We all need sunlight, healthy food, sanitary water and most of all clean air to breathe. These are basic no matter who we are and where we come from. We all share the same means and therefore, it is time we find common ground. We need to take accountability.'

'Instead of trying to change the world, it's time to change our ways and hold ourselves accountable. This will lead to the collective change that the world so desperately needs. The Power of Women is a starting point.'

Elaborating on the gender roles, Rajaratnam said, 'We all have both masculine and feminine energy within us that transcends our biological self. It is time to align ourselves to accept our both energies.'

Suggested Reading: Power Of Women Digital Conference: Amplifying Voices, Empowering Change