The 3Ls of Empowerment

In her speech Christine Lagarde talks about the importance of women

empowerment and the ways to achieve this goal. She begins the speech by
stressing the role of women in the modern world. Women have great
potential. But they are denied the opportunity to contribute their potential
for the benefit of the entire human race.

There are three ways in which we can open the doors of opportunity for
women. She calls them the three Ls. They are, Learning, labour and
Leadership.

Learning or education is the foundation on which any change is built.

Learning helps women to help themselves. Women’s education has a
wider and stronger impact than the education of men. It is especially so in
the developing world.

Labour or employment is the second step to help women achieve their true
potential. Now they face many problems like unequal wages, low
payments, low job security and exclusion from high status jobs. If women
participate in economic activity, it is good, not just for women, but for the
entire nation. Women’s economic participation can increase per capita
income. In order to give more opportunity for women in the workplace,
changes in laws and policies may become necessary.

The third aspect is leadership. More women should come to leadership

positions. They should be a part of decision making bodies. Women are
actually as good or even better leaders as compared to men. They take
decisions based on consensus building, inclusion and compassion.

If we make a world where women can meet their potential, the world will
benefit from it. Lagarde ends her speech by saying that if women dare the
difference, there will be difference in the society and this difference will
deliver results.

THE 3 LS OF EMPOWERMENT
“The 3Ls of Empowerment” is a speech done by Christine Lagarde
the first woman Finance Minister of France. She exhorts us to take
the challenges of the 21st century.
She underlines the importance of women’s empowerment. She
identifies the economic role of women. At the same time she
wonders at the plight of women. According to her, women should
be given equal opportunity. She feels disturbed at the modern-
scenario. She says today women are blocked to contribute their
talents. Women are denied equal opportunity. According to her a
concerted effort will surely open the door to opportunity. She
strongly recommends the 3Ls of women’s empowerment. They
are learning, labour and leadership. She believes in the power of
educating women. It will enable them to realize their power and
break the chains of discrimination.
Next the speaker is confident of the labour to achieve women-
empowerment. But she is not optimistic with today’s economic-
scenario. Women are getting low payment, low status and low
security jobs. She emphasizes an immediate change. The prime
objective should be equal pay for equal work. She hopes for a
change by eliminating gender gaps. She is optimistic that this
would promote an increase in per capita income.
Finally the speaker points out that leadership is another important
thing in empowering women. She firmly believes that leadership
will enable them to rise and fulfill their inborn abilities and talents.
It will really help them to fulfil their ambitions lin life. She is
optimistic in women’s power of making good decisions with
common agreement and long-term sustainability.
She concludes her speech emphasizing the fact that women must
have confidence to come out of their comfort- zone. She should be
ready to face any challenges and make difference in the society.
She is really positive-minded to dream a world where women will
reap the benefits with the above 3Ls of empowerment.

1. The role of educated empowered women in building a strong

nation.
Education is the foundation upon which any change is built. It
helps women to help themselves and break the shackles of
exclusion. Women represent half the world’s population. But they
contribute far less than 50 per cent of economic activity. In some
countries, per capita income lags significantly because women are
denied equal opportunity. Numerous studies show that illiterate
women have high levels of fertility and mortality, poor nutritional
status, low earning potential, and little autonomy within the
household. A woman’s lack of education also has a negative
impact on the health and well being of her children. For instance, a
recent survey in India found that infant mortality was inversely
related to mother’s educational level. Women are more likely to
spend their resources on health and education, creating a powerful
ripple effect across society and across generations. One study
suggests that women invest up to 90 percent of their earnings this
way, as opposed to just 30-40 percent for men. Thus education
and empowerment of women can work wonders in building a
strong nation.
2. The role of learning, labour and leadership skills in making a
woman liberated.
Education is the foundation upon which any change is built. It
helps women to help themselves and break the shackles of
exclusion. Labour facilitates women to flourish and achieve their
true potential. It helps women to become independent, bold and
resourceful. Leadership enables women to rise and fulfill their
innate abilities and talents. Here there is plenty of room for
improvement.
3. Women should step outside their comfort zones. Discuss
When women lead they tend to do as good a job as others, if not a
better job. They are more likely to make decisions based on
consensus building, inclusion, compassion and with a focus on
long term sustainability. But women sometimes lack the
confidence to match their competence. So they need to change that
mindset and reset the narrative in their favour. Some women
though educated and qualified for a job tend to be comfortable
with child bearing and child rearing. They feel happy inside the
home and never step out to express their talents. Their talents
cannot be tapped in this context. Some women become satisfied
with a small job though they are capable of more competent job.
4. Women sometimes lack confidence to match their competence.
Comment on the statement.
Women are gifted with so many talents and abilities. But
circumstances pose certain constraints in their lives. They do not
realize their talents. Sometimes at home, sometimes at school, at
other times at workplace, women are bound by so many
limitations. Right from their childhood, they are chained. They
suffocate under the heavy pressure of don’ts. This blocks the free
flow of their powers. Women are actually strong and tough. More
than men, they are capable of multitasking. They are competent
enough to lead and take up responsibilities. But most of the times,
they stay back. They hesitate to take up responsibilities. It is their
diffidence which pulls them back. It is high time they realized
their innate potentials. Then only women can contribute their due
to the nation building process.