Women are both gentle and strong. The primordial energy, Shakti is the life force behind the whole of creation is feminine. That is why our scriptures honor women as the highest aspect of divinity- the Aadhya Shakti.

Women bring together the finest aspects of society; the ability to create and the transformational ability to make a difference in society. Women bring us to the planet and teach us how to live. A mother is our first Guru, our first teacher. Women teach us our first behavior, our first step in life. They also have a great role to play in society.  A woman can be a strong peacemaker at home, in the community, in society, and in the world. Women can glue differences together and bring people of diverse nature together – she does it in her home all the time!

There is a dire need to balance our inner peace and ethical values with the external challenges we face daily in our fast-paced lives. Women have it in them to do it as these qualities are inherent in a woman.

A woman has the capacity to be an excellent peacemaker because it is quite natural for her to relate from the level of the heart. Her emotions, feelings, motivation, and inspiration are her biggest strengths. Men can inspire to fight but women inspire to unite. There are more wars in the world today because there is a lack of feminine leadership to unite people, overcome differences and bring home to us the purpose we are all born for. In today's war-torn world, we need women to come to the forefront and take more responsibility, without getting stressed. When women are determined, they can do wonders.

We need to ensure that women in our country are educated. When women are well educated and well informed they can take more responsibility, bring about that positive change and can make any project successful.

A woman by nature is multi-talented and multi-faceted. Usually, people think women are emotional but the fact is, women are also great intellectual geniuses and excel in planning and execution. In any department headed by a woman, the chances are that that department is much ahead of others.

Women are the backbone of any society. The role of women in the development of a society is of utmost importance. In fact, it is the only criterion that determines whether a society is strong and harmonious or not. Also, a corruption-free society can only emerge where women are given due regard, respect, and importance.  In building character and integrity, women can do a better job.

Given the wealth that is inherent in them, it is very important for women all around the world to sit together and see what they can do to make this world more stress and violence-free. You are that spirit. You are the one who can instill love, compassion, spirituality in people around you & society.

Do not wait to be given power.  Just assume it. Unfortunately, most of the feminine movements today are demanding rights. What are you demanding? From whom are you demanding? You are asking from an empty bowl! You have equal rights.  Just own it! You simply have to assert your rights! You don't have to go and ask somebody, it is all there for you!

You are a born leader. You have the potential with you to bring prosperity, happiness, and joy to this world! Just make this happen!

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a universally revered spiritual and humanitarian leader and founder of the Art of Living Organisation and International Association for Human Values (IAHV).