During a month that has so many reasons to celebrate women, I want to talk about the importance of self-esteem for women today. Even though we talk about achievements, struggles, progress and policies, we often seem to forget about self-esteem. True empowerment, if we are talking about empowerment (which is again a word I do not like using much), really begins with how women lead their own movements, build their careers, and shape their societies.
When we talk about understanding self-esteem, it is important to remember that it is not about ignorance or feeling superior to others. A woman’s confidence and her ability are very healthy. Healthy self-esteem does not require constant validation from the outside world. It is about understanding your own value, recognising your inner strength, and developing the confidence to move through life with clarity and assurance.
This is particularly important for women because, throughout history and across cultures, they have always faced certain expectations. They have been told how they should look, how they should speak and how they should behave. There are often unspoken rules about how a woman should act in society. Social media has also reinforced many of these pressures, constantly presenting ideas of what a woman should or should not be.
However, when self-esteem is strong, a woman can speak with confidence in classrooms, workplaces, and leadership roles. She can negotiate her pay, for example, in her career. She is also able to establish healthy boundaries in relationships. When I talk about relationships, I do not mean only personal relationships, but also those at work and within family structures. There is a strong and undeniable connection between self-esteem and leadership.
We see this reflected in the stories of many successful women throughout history. If we consider names such as Rosa Parks or Marie Curie, these are women who developed confidence in themselves and in their abilities. That confidence not only helped them to achieve their own goals but also created pathways for other women to follow.
Self-esteem is also closely tied to emotional strength and mental health. When women value themselves, they are more likely to seek help when they are struggling. They are more likely to leave harmful environments and to surround themselves with the right people who support their growth. They are also more likely to practise self-care and prioritise their well-being, which, in turn, allows them to continue contributing meaningfully to their communities.
The importance of self-esteem also extends to the next generation, which is something very significant. When young girls grow up seeing confident women around them, they begin to build that same confidence within themselves. They are more likely to pursue their ambitions and to speak their truth. Seeing positive role models teaches them that they too can embody these qualities and, one day, become role models for others.
If we call for reflection on International Women’s Day, we celebrate progress, rights and education. These are all extremely important. However, we must also acknowledge the nature of things that are less visible, including self-esteem. Empowerment does not begin in government buildings or in boardrooms. It begins in the mind, and we sometimes forget that.
When a woman believes in herself, she changes her life. When many women believe in themselves, they change the world.
