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What is HERNetwork?
Since the start of HERVoice, launching the first-ever HERNetwork online event was one of the milestones we’ve reached in the year 2022. With a total of 29 participants, voices are heard and stories are told. The goal of HERNetwork is to encourage women in our community to speak up about their struggles and achievements through chosen relevant topics. Each HERNetwork will have different topics to be discussed to ensure all experiences are seen and heard! The event is not only limited to women, HERNetwork is open for just about anyone!
Is male validation valid?
Have you ever struggled with complying with the idea of being validated by others? It is common to care deeply about how other people perceive you and feel that you are valid in the eyes of society. However, falling for male validation is an everyday struggle that women experience. Male validation refers to valuing opinions made by men more than other people.
It is truly eye-opening that a lot of women experience the same struggles with empowering themselves and others under a patriarchal society. Though it's hard, male validation is something that we all have to unlearn in order to create an empowering space for women to grow. A lot of women who participated struggled with male validation, not only in academic or work settings but also in social settings. Seeking self-validation and validation from friends, family, or even children are just a few ways to gravitate away from falling into male validation. Some revealed that they find joy when children validate them and get inspired by them. Art, music, and representation in the media also play a role in validating experiences that women face. Though getting validated from loved ones is important, knowing that women across the world experience what you’ve experienced means that you are not alone.
Empowering others by empowering yourself!
For some, women empowerment is realizing their worth values more than what society thinks; redefining self-love, and reinforcing self-advocacy. Self-love is not just limited to winding down and enjoying some good ol’ me-time. For women, especially, the concept of self-love revolves around detaching themselves from societal expectations that are often rooted in sexism and misogyny. Doing the littlest things, such as dressing up, for themselves and only for themselves is a way to self-advocate empowerment and regain confidence amongst women as they often get judged and labeled on how they dress. With newfound freedom of choosing and having control of the simplest things in life, destroys the societal ideas of what women can do and cannot do.
Empowering others is as crucial as empowering yourself. By empowering other women, we are setting our own worth outside the patriarchal ideas and creating a safe space where women can do whatever they want and love.
“She overcame everything that was meant to destroy her.”
ー Sylvester McNutt
What can men do to help?
In this HERNetwork, male participants are allowed to voice their thoughts as well. It is truly a relief that our male participants are very much aware of the struggles that women went through on a daily basis and empathized by it. They have seen women struggle with validation and empowering themselves through their family members, friends, and romantic relationships. For some men, listening and trying to understand their struggles is the most ideal way to support their female peers. Although speaking up about this discourse is much needed amongst men, it is important for our male peers to not overshadow their female peers when it comes to women's struggles.
Delightedly, HERNetwork 1 was a success! Voices were heard and stories were told. The feeling of relief was felt knowing a lot of women are in the same boat through this journey of empowerment. To conclude this event recap, in the words of W.E.B Dubois, there is no force equal to a woman determined to rise. Don’t underestimate what we, women, can do when we are empowered!
See you on our next HERNetwork!
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