In ancient Vedic texts, Shakti is the divine Cosmic Energy that creates and sustains the universe. It also rises up to destroy evil when it is rampant so that righteousness may be re-established.
In primordial Vedic civilizations, a universe in balance was personified by the Trinity – Brahma, the Creator, was powerless without Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge; Vishnu, the Preserver, was powerless without Lakshmi, the Goddess of Prosperity; Shiva, the Destroyer, was powerless without Parvati, the Goddess of Strength. In other words, the male Divine was powerless without the female Divine – they were equally needed to sustain the universe.
Unfortunately, over the past couple millennia, all religious scriptures have been selectively interpreted out of context “to justify the derogation or inferiority of women” right from birth.
Worse, the religious dogma has been reinforced by regressive laws, social norms and gender stereotypes. Sadly, many times by women themselves – mothers, aunts, older sisters, girlfriends.
The goal of the Shakti Foundation is to unleash Shakti (the feminine creative energy) to re-balance the world – this will in turn bring peace and prosperity when women lead equally in all parts of the earth.
no tool for development is more effective than the empowerment of women.
— Kofi Anan