Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Hillary Rodham Clinton have both become relevant and key figures in the fight against gender inequality because of what they each have to offer to address this pervasive problem. a unique approach. Through her eloquent speech “We should all be feminists,” Adichie highlighted the importance of changing attitudes and challenging stereotypes in society by proposing a way to engage people with relatable stories and perspectives. Clinton, on the other hand, advocated for a policy-oriented strategy in her speech at the APEC Women and the Economy Summit, emphasizing the role of economic empowerment and legal reform in promoting gender equality. By studying their speeches we can gain insight into the effectiveness of these approaches within the wider context of the gender equality movement.
In her influential speech “Unlocking a Vital Source of Growth,” Hillary Clinton puts forth a compelling argument about the vital role of women in driving economic growth. She firmly asserts that the involvement of women in the workforce is indispensable and central to economic development. This claim is substantiated by the statistic that more than 60% of women in APEC economies are actively engaged in the formal workforce. This significant figure not only highlights the substantial presence of women in the labor market but also underscores their essential role in economic activities. Moreover, Clinton brings attention to the U.S. context, where the increased labor market participation of women has had a profound impact, contributing approximately a quarter of the nation's current GDP. This key piece of evidence

clearly demonstrates that the economic contributions of women are far from being peripheral; they are, in fact, a cornerstone of the overall economic vitality of a country. Through these observations, Clinton aims to convey a powerful message to her audience: acknowledging and bolstering women’s economic participation is crucial for achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth. By emphasizing these points, Clinton not only advocates for the recognition of women's current economic contributions but also for the broader societal and economic benefits of fully leveraging the potential of women in the workforce. Secondly, Clinton addressed in her insightful speech the significant barriers that prevent women from participating in the economy, barriers that adversely impact not only women themselves but the economy as a whole. She reveals how social norms and existing market barriers often restrict women to low-productivity positions, resulting in significant wage gaps. This important observation demonstrates that the current economic system does not effectively realize the full potential of women's contributions. Clinton further argued that removing these barriers could lead to significant increases in countries' gross domestic product. She provides compelling evidence that if these barriers were removed, GDP growth would reach 9% in the United States, 13% in the Eurozone, and 16% in Japan. This aspect of her speech is particularly important as it highlights the wider economic advantages of promoting gender inclusion and equality. It demonstrates that addressing these challenges is not only a matter of social justice but also a strategic economic imperative. Clinton's argument underscores the vast but untapped economic potential that can be realized by allowing women to participate fully and equitably in the economy. To this end, she advocates for a more inclusive economic model that not only advocates for gender equality but also recognizes that gender equality is a catalyst for economic growth and social progress.

In her speech, Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie adeptly uses anecdotes to shed light on the discrepancy between the progression in the abilities of both genders and the unchanged gender norms. Echoing the sentiment, “A man is as likely as a woman to be intelligent, innovative, creative. We have evolved. But our ideas of gender have not evolved very much,” Adichie highlights this disparity. One striking example she presents is from a Nigerian primary school, where a girl, despite her academic excellence, evidenced by her highest test scores, is denied the position of class monitor, traditionally held by boys. Adichie’s choice of this particular story skillfully reveals that while there may be intellectual advancement at the individual level, societal gender norms are deeply entrenched and slow to change. This juxtaposition challenges readers to critically reflect on the contrast between individual and societal progression and the persistence of gender-based biases. Secondly, Adichie delves into another poignant example, the experience of hotel security guards in Nigeria. This incident reflects the broader issue of societal prejudice, stemming from the guards’ assumption that sex work is exclusively a female domain. Adichie’s inclusion of such real-life scenarios is deliberate, aiming to spotlight the ongoing challenges and persistence of gender-based assumptions. Through narrating these impactful stories, Adichie encourages readers to reevaluate their understanding of the interplay between social norms and gender biases，these narratives provoke a deeper level of thinking, urging us to question and reassess the societal structures and biases that shape our worldviews and interactions within society.

Adichie's greater impact on women's empowerment, especially at the individual and social levels, can be seen as more profound and helped to promote deeper intrinsic changes in attitudes towards gender equality. Because her story resonates on a personal level, it has the potential to spark a sustainable grassroots movement for change. However, Clinton’s influence in the policy and economic spheres should not be underestimated, as it created the structural changes necessary to enable the progress inspired by Adichie’s narrative. Clinton created the economic and legal framework needed for gender equality, while Adichie cultivated the cultural and social soil in which these policies could take root and flourish. Both are important, but Adichie's approach may be considered more foundational, since changing hearts and minds is a precursor to effective and lasting policy change. Adichie's impact on women can thus be considered more profound, as it inspired a broader cultural shift toward gender equality that was crucial to the sustainability of the progress Clinton championed.
In conclusion, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Hillary Rodham Clinton exemplify the synergy between cultural transformation and policy innovation in their respective efforts in the area of gender equality. Their unique yet complementary approaches highlight gender inequality and the multifaceted curation required to address it. By combining Adichie’s grassroots movement to change hearts and minds with Clinton’s top-down structural reform approach, we can find a path forward that leverages the strengths of the culture change and policy reform movement. This not only broadens the scope of the gender equality movement but also adds to its depth, providing a blueprint for a more equitable society in the future.