Gone are the days when deadlines prevented me from lending my voice to causes I believe in.
It’s 8 March, a day dedicated for International Women’s Day. There is a deluge of messages and events all meant to improve lives and conditions of women because sadly, these are still very poor in most places on earth. I’d like to add mine.
WOMEN
•Support, empower and uplift one another.
•Don’t aid patriarchy by enforcing false beauty standards, body shaming, racism, and religious hatred.
•Remember all the women caught up in conflict and natural disasters. They suffer more in these conditions, often have the responsibility of caring for children and relatives and are subject to extra horrors like rape. Use your money, influence and talent to help them.
•Self-love should be a priority. Learn it, teach it, and practice it.
•Don’t wait for a man to validate your existence. Build your dreams. If you find a man who supports you, that’s lovely. But if you don’t, be awesome still.
•Respect men. Feminism does not mean man-hating or generalising. Recognise the good ones and work together with them to achieve gender equity and basic human rights for all women.
•Develop yourself. Read more books. Read more books by women. Write! Speak! Inspire young girls!Your mind is just as important.
•Value your health and well being. Book that mammogram, pap smear and general check up. Live a healthy life.
•Don’t be afraid to push out negativity , no matter the source. Embrace positive vibes only.
•In spite of all the ills, don’t be afraid to love. Let your inner radiance shine through. Be kind and happy.
•Don’t let anyone make you feel small. It is okay to be weak sometimes. You can always get back up.
•To women breaking barriers in leadership, health, business, tech, science, arts and more, please continue to shine. You inspire millions of young girls.
•To women in places from Myanmar, Syria, to Puerto Rico, your strength is unparalleled. We hope for peace, justice and an end to all you go through.
•To all mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, cousins, colleagues, friends, neighbours of all colours and creeds, keep up the good fight. You have survived this far.
MEN
•To our partners in the fight for better rights for women, thank you. Together, we would achieve our goals.
•Recognize your privilege and be conscious of its evil.
•Don’t let culture and ego make you into monsters.
•Being fair and just to women makes you stronger not weak.
•Make life better for the all women you know.
•Do all you can to end rape, discrimination and exploitation of women.
*********
We can have a world free of gender-based violence.
T H E F U T U R E I S F E M A L E
Oumissa Inspire 