Women can change the world! It’s 2016 and we are still sadly lacking in fully empowering women. Gender bias and discrimination against women is rife. Globally and locally women still represents the smaller percentage in leadership positions. Perhaps key is to understand why it is important to empower women and that it’s not simply empty rhetoric.

South Africa’s own Ironlady Liezel van der Westhuizen’s talk uncovers the importance of female empowerment in an informative and personal way. Having conquered many physical and mental feats, Liezel understands the underlying challenges facing women today.

The Face of Empowerment.
“Around the world 62 million girls are not in school. Globally, 1 in 3 women will experience gender-based violence in her lifetime.” Frightening stats from www.usaid.gov.

What holds women back?
Glass ceilings imposed by the traditional workplace are not the only thing that holds women back. It is often self-imposed. An inferiority complex, family commitments and a fear of failure are leaders in this self-inflicted stagnation.

What can Women do to propel themselves and other Women Forward?
Taking the first steps to working your way out of external and internal prejudices, and take a female friend with you on this journey.

What can the Business Sector do to Empower Women?
“On average, Fortune 500 companies with more female board representation achieved a significantly higher financial performance than those with fewer female representatives.- www.forbes.com. How to improve your bottom line whilst empowering females.