International Women's Day, observed globally on March 8th, serves as a pivotal moment to honour the social, economic, cultural, and political accomplishments of women. While it allows for reflection on progress made, advocates emphasise that significant strides are still required to achieve true gender equality.
The Voice of Empowerment from Manchester
Zara Khalique, a 34-year-old entrepreneur based in Manchester, stands as a prominent advocate for women's rights. She launched her empowering brand, Keep It Bright, from her bedroom in 2007, crediting positive thinking with transforming her life. Her brand has garnered attention from high-profile celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande, who have worn and endorsed her products.
Khalique expressed that she harbours "big dreams" to empower as many individuals as possible. However, she candidly notes that society still has a "long way to go" in terms of women's equality. She believes a dedicated day is essential to uplift women and formally recognise their contributions, which often go underappreciated.
A Mission to Foster Self-Love and Confidence
Through her work, Khalique aims to inspire women to embrace self-love, accept their bodies, cultivate confidence, assert themselves, and establish healthy boundaries. She achieves this through a multifaceted approach, including daily social media content, her book titled "How To: Keep It Bright," products and clothing featuring empowering messages, and both in-person and virtual workshops.
"My work is something I’m so passionate about; I love to see women feeling good about themselves and moving through the world more confidently!" Khalique shared. Having dedicated 19 years to this mission, her efforts have evolved alongside her personal journey, allowing her to support others while navigating her own path.
Addressing Skepticism and Highlighting Necessity
Despite some arguments questioning the necessity of International Women's Day, Khalique firmly believes it remains indispensable. "There is still a long way to go with equality and even just the way that women’s achievements often seem to be undermined," she explained. She pointed out that women's accomplishments are frequently not valued as highly as men's, underscoring the need for continued advocacy.
Khalique identified one crucial reason the day holds such importance: "It’s good to have a day where we celebrate the incredible women in the world and where women celebrate themselves too, since it’s hard out here for women, but they still manage to achieve and do so much." This celebration, she argues, provides a vital platform for acknowledgment and inspiration.
Drawing Inspiration from Social Media Creators
When asked about her sources of inspiration, Khalique praised "so many content creators on social media." She admires those who persist in sharing their message despite facing hate comments and trolls, as their resilience can positively impact others. Creators who help women embrace body acceptance, advocate for their needs, or remind them of their inherent power play a vital role in empowerment.
"Even though I create this kind of content myself, I still love to consume it, and even though social media can be a tough place to navigate, there are so many helpful, inspiring and uplifting accounts to follow and fill our minds and feeds with," Khalique added, highlighting the supportive community within digital spaces.
Her uplifting lifestyle brand, Keep It Bright, continues to champion these values, offering resources and products designed to foster positivity and self-empowerment among women worldwide.
