Ladies of Hive Contest #171: what I think about the power of women

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Hello, women! With great pleasure, I am returning to participate in one of your contests. I found this one very interesting, and I am delighted to respond to the points mentioned in the post.

For me, women's empowerment means taking action to enhance women's ability to control and manage their own lives, make choices independently and consciously. It means that women have the opportunity, within a community, to freely build and express their personalities and leverage individual potential for their own benefit and that of the community.

To concretely achieve women's empowerment, it is necessary for women to support each other, and the social context must ensure that every woman has access and participation in structures, opportunities, and experiences to be recognized and valued as an intelligent human being capable of recognizing her abilities and making choices.

A society that advocates for women's empowerment and listens to the needs, proposals, and thoughts of women is fairer and more democratic. It involves redefining power within a community, including women.

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So, personally, women's empowerment is an indicator of the level of civilization and socio-cultural progress of a nation. In my view, where women are treated as inferior human beings and their voices are silenced, fundamental human rights are denied. Removing voice and power from women means losing individual thoughts and capabilities that can contribute to the community's progress toward a better future.

Fortunately, I grew up in the Italian social context, which allowed me access to public education. I had teachers, both women and men, who encouraged me to always follow my personal inclinations and to harness my potential. My family, teachers, husband, and friends have always believed that women enjoy the same dignity as men. I grew up in a context where gender equality is embraced, although this is not the case in all parts of Italy and the world. I am aware of being fortunate to have been born in northern Italy.

Because of this, I have always been committed to taking care of women's empowerment, starting with my approach towards other women. For example, if I notice a friend being treated unfairly by her husband or even denigrated or subjugated, I do not hesitate to encourage her to reflect on her situation and offer my support. Unfortunately, I have had to help an acquaintance contact a domestic violence center because her partner was abusing her, insulting her, and, out of jealousy, preventing her from going out without him, thus hindering any activity for her personal interest.

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Or I have come to know that a family was planning the marriage of their eleven-year-old daughter to a thirty-year-old man, with whom she would have to move abroad, where she would only play the role of a wife and mother, without any further opportunity to study, work, or make any other life choices for herself. These are terrible stories, especially when involving underage girls who are powerless.

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In the face of these situations, I try to spread the culture of gender equality as much as possible, starting with those close to me. I want to make it clear that gender is a concept linked to cultural representation and that women are not inferior by nature. They can and should do everything they desire and are entitled to. They should not be afraid to disappoint others' expectations.

Regarding myself, I always emphasize that everything I do is my choice, and I feel entitled to consider any possibility and opportunity that life offers me.

What would you like to say to young women today, and what advice would you give them? Unfortunately, in many other parts of Italy and the world, it is not the same. The prevailing notion is that women should only think about getting married and having children. The portrayal of women whose highest aspiration is to take care of their family is an idea that public institutions are unfortunately promoting here in Italy, through the voices of many politicians.

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This goes against women's empowerment and, in my opinion, risks influencing young women with the idea that being a woman solely involves fulfilling the duty of bearing children for the nation, neglecting all other possibilities from an emotional, existential, and professional standpoint.

I would tell young women that they absolutely should not feel called and obligated to sacrifice their aspirations and abilities by deciding to limit themselves to getting married and having children, thinking they are serving the nation to solve the problems of birth rates and the aging population, aspects characterizing Italian society. This is the message that the media in Italy has been conveying lately.

I would tell young women not to listen to these delirious appeals but to listen only to their hearts. They should seek happiness by building a life rich in experiences and satisfaction for themselves. Creating a family and having children is one of the many possible projects in life, but not the only or most important one.

Spreading the idea that only one life model, only that particular choice, is suitable for a woman goes against the logic of women's empowerment and is not acceptable in a civilized and progressive society.

Thank you for reading my post. I hope it was interesting and managed to convey my perspective on the topic. I bid you farewell with much affection!