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Advocating for Yourself

Speaker: Samantha Nielsen

Mar 11, 2023

Finding Your Voice and Taking Charge of Your Life

Why is it women often don’t speak up for themselves when difficult and unfair situations arise? Advocating, (meaning to assert your position) can feel intimidating and next to impossible if you’re not well practiced with this skill.


Yes, it’s a skill and one that can be learned! Advocating effectively for yourself, your children or when a marriage is ending entails more than just sharing your thoughts. Your tone of voice, eye contact and body language are important factors as well. When you know how Advocate for Yourself effectively, struggling to be heard and validated can quickly become a thing of the past. Ultimately, it’s your responsibility to see that your needs are not only understood but also met. Fortunately, refining this practice just might be easier than you believe!


Advocating for oneself is a critical life skill that is unfortunately not always practiced by women. It can be intimidating to assert oneself in difficult and unfair situations, leading to a lack of representation and validation of their thoughts and feelings. However, it is a skill that can be learned and improved upon with practice.


Effective advocating involves more than just speaking up. It involves using the appropriate tone of voice, maintaining eye contact, and utilizing proper body language. These elements can greatly impact the effectiveness of one's message.


Learning how to advocate for oneself, one's children, or in situations such as a divorce, can help ensure that one's needs are understood and met. It is important to take responsibility for one's own well-being and to become confident in expressing oneself. This can be achieved through practicing and refining the skill of advocating.


It is crucial for women to have a voice in society and to feel empowered to express their needs and desires. Through practicing the skill of advocating, women can gain the confidence they need to stand up for themselves and their families in all aspects of life.


In addition to the benefits of advocating for oneself, there are also broader societal implications for women speaking up and being heard. Women's perspectives and experiences are often overlooked or dismissed in male-dominated spaces, leading to a lack of representation and diversity in decision-making processes.


By learning and practicing the skill of advocating for oneself, women can become powerful agents of change in their communities and workplaces. They can bring unique perspectives to the table and challenge the status quo, leading to more innovative solutions and a more equitable society.

Unfortunately, there are still barriers that prevent women from feeling comfortable advocating for themselves, such as societal expectations and gender biases. Women are often expected to be passive and agreeable, and may face backlash or criticism when they assert themselves. It is important to recognize these barriers and work to overcome them, both individually and as a society.


One way to overcome these barriers is through education and awareness-raising. By educating others on the importance of women's voices and experiences, we can create a culture that values and respects their contributions. Additionally, women can seek out mentors and allies who can provide support and guidance as they navigate challenging situations.


Ultimately, advocating for oneself is not just a personal skill, but a crucial element of creating a more equitable and just society. By encouraging and supporting women to speak up and make their voices heard, we can create a world where everyone's needs and perspectives are valued and respected. Don't be afraid to speak up and make your voice heard!

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