12 Women Share What Empowers Each Of Them, Their Thoughts Are Refreshingly Varied

From the fight for equal wages, to the movement against harassment, child marriage, patriarchal family structures and more, overall equality is a constant, everyday struggle. And whether it’s recognition in the work space, having a voice at home, being able to pursue the career of your choice, being a working mother without guilt or judgment, and so on, every personal struggle matters. There isn’t, and shouldn’t be, a one-size-fits-all definition of feminism, because the fight for equality is universal.

As a tribute to the personal and collective movement towards equality of women in the past, present, and future ones to come, we’ve decided to tip our hats to all kinds of women in different walks of life, be it motherhood, student life, 20s workoholism. Empowerment for women has no one single definition and can vary from person to person, because anything can be empowering depending on your experiences, your life, your context. And when these varying definitions come together, the movement becomes more inclusive. On International Working Women’s Day earlier this year, we caught up with 12 different and individualistic women to ask what empowers them in their life, and each answer is exactly as beautifully raw as the next.

Eloise Stevens | 27 | Writer and Radio Producer

“Travelling around India alone for work and for pleasure makes me feel empowered. Realising I can have great experiences and do good work, despite people’s warnings, and with the help of some extraordinarily hospitable strangers, is extremely empowering.”
Eloise, originally from the UK, has lived and worked in India for just over a year now.

Farida Venkateshwaran | 51 | Director Operations & Corporate Relations, RIAN Hospitalities Pvt. Ltd. + Acting, Modelling

“I believe true empowerment is not only financial independence but also the independence of your mind and soul. When you truly know and believe that you have the power to dream and the strength to chase that dream and make it a reality. Having been a corporate person, a wife , a mother and a business woman in various stages of my life. It’s today when I’m chasing my dream of being an actor and being recognised for my talent that I feel truly empowered and free.”

Farida, after working with Cadburys, TMI Network, Abans and Amante Wedding Planners over the years, currently works as Director Operations and Corporate Relations at RIAN Hospitalities Pvt. Ltd., and in her spare time she acts and models as well. She is a passionate independent woman, and a mother to her daughter Riddhi and son Anshu. With Carpe Diem as her motto, she believes in enjoying and living life to the fullest. 

Manveena Suri | 30 | Freelance Journalist & Digital Content Producer, Jaipur Literature Festival

“A cliche, though for a reason, knowledge is power. Read everything and anything you can get your hands on. Ask questions, even the ones that are awkward or politically incorrect because there’s always a diplomatic way to phrase it and if you are genuine, people will not be offended. This has taught me why people are who they are and to not let faith, race, sexuality or any other label define their identity. Let curiosity and optimism win. Life’s hard enough as it is, why let all this nonsense of judgement and closed-mindedness take over?”

Manveena is a diplobrat with a funny accent.

Nainika Agrawal | 21 | Writer

“I love it so much when I come across a sign of positive social change in my immediate social environment. It’s empowering to see my friends and family standing up for the equality of all sexes and sexualities. There’s nothing like the warm feeling in your chest when you hear a friend arguing for feminism with someone else, and realising that they were really listening to you, because they’re using your words to get through to someone else!”

Nainika is an ardent part of the feminist movement, as she tells us, “I absolutely can’t imagine myself not actively being a part of the social dialogue about the liberation of women and members of the LGBTQ community.” As a woman and writer, talking about these issues is a matter very close to her heart.

Pearl | 21 | Engineer

“Running. Running makes me feel strong, it makes me feel powerful. It reminds my destination is  “just another stretch” away.

I’ve always welcomed failure, it is a chance to better myself. And when I come back stronger from a difficult situation, I feel accomplished and empowered.”

Priyanka Bose | Mid 30s | Existential Actor

“My dreams to change mind sets scare the living day lights out of me. I have to be bat-shit crazy to think and dare question that everyone, I mean everyone out there, should and are able to empower something and someone. To be of use to the community we live in. We represent a time and age when anything is possible. The place of women in film, politics and in other powerful places have made such a shift already, and are forever rotating. Who we love, what we love, how we make love, I mean everything is out there. We have support. The opposition is the old, non-functional dimwits and the tables have turned, we mock them. We all do. At least the Facebook generation does on my timeline. This empowers me.

The knowledge out there, the better use of technology, scientists working endlessly to improve situation on this planet. Yes, it is true that we are eating our planet out, global warming IS an issue and it will take an entire generation’s work to shift that, starting with consciousness. But isn’t it fascinating that we are the generation, eating the fruit of this knowledge and this responsibility is solely on us? That we as individuals in media and film as actors and stars are in a position to influence an entire generation? And not just endorse fairness cream brands. That empowers me.

As I stumble towards it myself, I come to understand where my place is in the universe. To live up to my dream and follow my spirit calling, and the people who come in to my life to make this path clearer makes me feel strong. I’m not courageous everyday, I don’t have to be. I have to be vulnerable and truthful, and that acceptance empowers me as an actor. Women don’t stand up for other women in this country, not too often. Not unless their favorite superstar is doing something, and that is my only disappointment. But I don’t let that defeat me, I try to stick to my principles of not letting my ideals down. I’m empowered everyday raising my daughter with equal standards, that nothing is impossible.”

Priyanka is a human in a state of being, an existential actor and on non-working days, she enjoys the company of her daughter, her pets, her partner and a vintage piano.

Rochelle D’silva | 31 | Performance Poet

“I left home at around 17. Since then, I’ve enjoyed the freedom of living alone, the chaos of living in share houses, the joy of travel and thrill of the unexpected. My adventures have taught me the simple truth that I am more strength and resilience than I give myself credit for. Travel, the uncertainty of tomorrow and the conviction that I can wing it, make me feel empowered. I know that no matter what tomorrow brings, I can start over, I can learn new skills, I will evolve – nothing about me is finished or defined. I am possibility.”

Rochelle, page/performance poet, writes about her travels, cultural influences and personal experiences. She has been writing poetry since she was 6 years old. Her spoken word journey began in Melbourne in 2011, and since then, she has won an Encouragement Award at the coveted Doris Leadbetter Poetry Cup, been featured in Peril Magazine as a contemporary Asian-Australian poet, been featured in poetry anthologies, collaborated with Hip Hop artist Hau and has her poetry featured on his 2015 album titled - The No End Theory and won numerous slams. She has recently published an anthology titled ‘A Converseation in Four Parts’ in collaboration with 3 other poets. She holds poetry workshops and gives lectures on creative writing and performance, and curates a monthly poetry open mic in Mumbai called ‘Words Tell Stories’. She endorses hugs.

Sabrina Singh | 50 | Director - Aesthetics

“Taking my own decisions without being second guessed and do what I want with my life. Going from a microbiologist to working in the entertainment sphere was a struggle, but I feel strong because I followed my dreams without fear. Also, being a single parent to my now 21-year-old daughter... that’s been empowering!”

Sabrina is a creative, warm, compassionate soul who aims to make the best of living on the other side of 50.

Samyukta Singh | 21 | Social Work

“A broad term with consequential social significance, yet with roots entrenched deeply within personal precepts. I thought it would be prudent to first read up on the definition and further my then inchoate understanding of the term. A study conducted on women in Sierra Leone asserted that there are four main indicators of empowerment; confidence, skills, care and cooperation. I feel this encapsulated my feelings accurately. Empowerment for me entails achieving my goals in a diligent and independent fashion while trusting my abilities, harming no soul in the process and uplifting and galvanizing others into doing the same.”

Samyukta just an average 21-year-old trying to conquer the age old, arcane riddle—what is the purpose of life? After having gone through all the customary notions, studying commerce, getting a degree in banking and finance, all of which have provided but nugatory insights towards answering this question, she decided to choose the path of social work, which she says has, “...helped me regain faith in my character as I mold myself into becoming the person I truly desire to be. Long story short, I’m a little ship finding my bearings. The waters are not smooth and the ship is not big, but it is sturdy and determined and will make it to the shore.”

Sheena Khalid | 27 |Theatre Director and Performer

“As a theatre director, the fact that I can create the shows I want to create and share the stories that excite me, for me, that is empowering. I believe empowerment comes with knowledge. The more you seek to know, the more you read, write, watch, listen to what is out there, the more you empower yourself. When you know what the world has to offer, you can choose for yourself what you want to do and who you want to be.”
Sheena runs her own theatre company called the Patchworks Ensemble, which has created two full length shows: ‘Ila’ which is about a myth from the purans about gender fluidity, and ‘The Gentlemens Club (Tape)‘ which is a drag king show. Apart from being a director, writer and performer for stage, she also makes a mean coconut cake.

Shivani Bhasin | 21 | Student & Feminist

“Resilience. Look around you. Look at all that you’ve achieved. When you were in the womb, your parents weren’t sure if they could keep you. When you went to school, your family wasn’t sure whether you’d be worth the investment. When you topped the university exam, your boyfriend wasn’t sure that he could deal with a woman smarter than him. When you were humiliated for your body, society wasn’t sure if you meant anything. Look at all that kept you back. Look at all that you conquered. Your existence is resilience and you never knew that could be so empowering.”

 Talisa Oberoi | 25 | Filmmaker

“Skills. People can argue with your choices and your opinions, but no one can take away your ability to do something and do it well.”
Talisa is a film school graduate currently living in London, working as a production assistant at an independent production company.