When the applause ends, what do women carry home?

Women's Month celebrations often involve dressing up, enjoying food and listening to inspirational speakers. These events can inspire and create a sense of possibility, but what truly matters is what women carry home from these experiences.

Following a recent Women in Leadership Celebration at Eduvos-Durban, it became clear that simply applauding women for their strength and resilience is not enough. The real test is what happens after the applause ends and women return to their workplaces, homes and communities.

Leadership expert Fawzia Peer emphasized the importance of standing with people rather than above them. She urged women to open doors for one another, mentor and recommend one another, and resist competing with each other. These actions require more than just the initial applause; they involve opening doors by mentioning a woman's name when an opportunity arises, sharing information and making introductions that help others gain access to networks they have built over time.

However, leadership expert Seshni Moodley put a unique spin on the conversation by discussing the challenges of entering a room where there is no seat for you. She spoke about overcoming self-doubt and finding strength in a world that has told her she cannot succeed. While resilience is crucial, the question remains: why were these women excluded in the first place?

Despite the progress made by women, the data speaks volumes. Women's official unemployment rate is higher than that of men, and they hold only a fraction of senior and middle management positions. These statistics represent the lives of ordinary women who have faced obstacles in their pursuit of advancement.

These women do not necessarily need more instructions on how to overcome obstacles; instead, they need recognition and support from those who have made it further. To the woman outside the room, do not let someone else's refusal define what is possible for you. To the woman who has made it inside, remember the door and consider who else you can bring through it. And to the institutions that own these rooms, it is time to examine why entry remains difficult for many women.

The celebration of Women's Month should go beyond the flowers, clothes, laughter and photographs. It should include tangible opportunities, introductions and commitments from organizations to create a more inclusive environment. By asking these better questions and taking action, we can ensure that the women carrying home the fruits of these celebrations are truly empowered.