Paradigm

“If only all the world acknowledged women’s potential as others, the world could be a better place—the same opportunities, and appreciation. We need a future where women no longer have to risk their liberty and life to cross and erase gender lines and stereotypes.”

Women have long been facing the existing social stereotypes about what they are capable of, who they can be, and how much they can contribute to the progress of society. They had to endure being told of their ‘rightful’ place and were held back by unfair limitations, violence, abuse, and discrimination. But women now are never again to be silent as silence condemns their rights, freedom, and future.

Words by Ysabelle Ann Besorio and Vanessa Glenise Usison

To cry for freedom was outrageous and to be fearless was inappropriate. It is a crime to call the missed opportunities, inequalities, and abuses imposed on women as fate. Many women had to outgrow their dreams, some were attached to their homes, taught to be faithful to stereotypes, and spent their time under the shattering silence. Whatever lies beyond, they said, women should not navigate.

They had to step forward face-to-face with the mountain of challenges and conquered it victoriously through time. The generation of women today embraces the freedom to create a name, to beat the social norms and stereotypes believed and perceived by many.

Much more than being the bringers of life, they are also capable of doing the easiest to the most challenging jobs, to the oddest careers, one could ever imagine. They can be zealous business entrepreneurs, they can be marine biologists defying waves and redefining roles, they can be frontline heroes or an exemplar in a glittering spectacle with heads held high, preachers, or strong-willed dedicated journalists, they can be brave peacemakers, they can be Olympic gold medalists; they can grasp a hold on excellence in various fields and all walks of life and tread the world with stories to inspire.

But there are still immense barriers that stand in the way of the full recognition of their roles and the importance of their rights. Despite the ongoing progress, the fears that haunted women before seemed to find a new home as we welcome new developments. Women are still finding places of their own although gender roles have changed. But women will continue to wage determined struggles to make freedom and equality universal.

Existing social norms may perceive a small body frame and a fragile complexion, but what dwells inside is a drive unbreakable as steel, a heart of gold, passion like kindling flames, and hopes as high as the skies. Regardless of one’s identity, there should not be limits to what a person can do nor borders on what a woman desires to conquer. There should not be competition or comparison among genders because everyone plays a significant role in our vast thriving world.

If only all the world acknowledged women’s potential as others, the world could be a better place—the same opportunities, and appreciation. We need a future where women no longer have to risk their liberty and life to cross and erase gender lines and stereotypes. Leaving women behind as a societal default is denying them what was in themselves and what we can be as humans. We also have to stand up for equality for the world and our future.