Witnessing the remarkable achievements of women is inspiring, and it’s crucial to support young women in cultivating robust self-esteem and recognising their inherent value.
Possessing self-esteem and recognising one’s self-worth are invaluable qualities that every woman should embrace. These attributes serve as powerful tools, enabling women to assert themselves and establish clear boundaries within their relationships.
When a woman values herself, she is better equipped to navigate interpersonal dynamics with confidence and resilience, fostering healthier connections and a more empowered sense of self.
Fostering self-esteem entails equipping women with awareness about the indicators of unhealthy or abusive relationships. While these signs are often apparent, we may consciously overlook them.
They encompass controlling behaviours, expressions of jealousy, and instances of verbal or physical abuse. Empowering young women with the knowledge to recognise and respond to such warning signs is integral to cultivating a strong sense of self-worth.
It is important to sensitise young women on how unacceptable and manipulative these behaviours can be, they are red flags and at warning signs women should know when to leave such relationships.
Also to provide women with resources to get help from if they are experiencing any of these erratic behaviours in their relationships. Here are valuable tips to assist young women in navigating relationships safely and responsibly:
Healthy Communication skills
Another key aspect of empowering young women is to help them develop healthy communication skills. To inform these beautiful creatures how silence kills faster and how it wouldn’t hurt to be more expressive.
It also includes being assertive and expressing needs and boundaries clearly and respectfully.
It’s also important to teach young women to be active listeners to understand and respect the perspectives of others, no one knows it all, and understanding people’s perspectives makes it easier to handle any situation at hand.
Educating young women about safe sexual practices
Another crucial part of navigating relationships responsibly is to provide young women with information on safe sexual practices.
This can include education on consent, birth control, and sexually transmitted diseases and how any mistakes in sexual practices could truncate their lives and careers.
It’s also important to emphasise the importance of body autonomy and the right to choose when and how to engage in sexual activity by being very responsible.
While it’s your body, it’s essential not to commodify it for financial gain or diminish your value by easily surrendering yourself, labeling it as an object for sexual gratification rather than embracing your virtue as a woman.
Understanding Legal Rights and Options
Another aspect of navigating relationships responsibly is to help young women understand their legal rights and options.
This includes understanding their rights in the workplace, in the context of domestic violence or sexual assault, and other legal situations. It’s also important to provide young women with information on where to seek help if they are experiencing any form of discrimination or harassment.
Women should not be quiet if anyone violates their bodies by assaulting or forcefully having their way with them, they should be more outspoken on matters like this so stiffer punishments can be given to sex offenders.
Conclusion
It is important to provide young women with resources and support systems to help them navigate relationships safely and responsibly.
This can include a strong network of friends and family, a supportive community, and access to counseling or other mental health services.
For all the women facing challenges in silence, I encourage you to speak up and seek the support you need. To those who have lost their self-esteem and feel undervalued, remember you are valuable; treat yourself accordingly.
Researched by Iloh Chioma Sandra.
