I am a woman, and like nearly half of the world's population, I proudly claim that identity. According to the United Nations, women make up 49.7% of the global population, which translates to about 7.8 billion people.
But what does it truly mean to be a woman, apart from belonging to a demographic that's often seen as a minority? In today's evolving social landscape, gender often matters less than one's personal choice and identity. I won't dive into the depths of inclusivity debates, but rather, I'll share my personal journey and experiences, which shed light on the unique, albeit challenging, beauty of being a woman.
I grew up in a household where my father had certain expectations regarding traditional gender roles. He expected my mum to have dinner ready at a specific time and to take care of all the housework. At the same time, he always encouraged me to pursue sports, build a career, and be an active woman. It was a bit contradictory; on one hand, he supported my ambitions, but on the other, he took pride in my culinary skills and housekeeping abilities, viewing them as qualities of a "true" woman.
Now, as an independent woman with a successful career, I've reached a point where I can afford to delegate certain tasks, such as house cleaning. I believe that my time could be better spent, rather than cleaning the house. This shift reflects the changing dynamics of gender roles and how women today are balancing various aspects of their lives.
My belief is that in a society where everyone's unique strengths, regardless of gender, are celebrated and leveraged to the fullest, true equality will be realized.
The second wave of feminism, marked by the historic textile workers' strike for equal pay, was a major shift. Automation and technological advances eliminated the necessity for physical strength in many professions, rendering them accessible to women. However, there's still an underlying resistance from certain quarters, reluctant to embrace the idea that women no longer need special protection and not only meant for devoting themselves to finding a husband and having children.
While I pride myself on my physical fitness, standing tall at 190 cm and often outperforming many men in fitness training, I understand that this could trigger feelings of inferiority in those with lower self-esteem. The age of the male breadwinner has passed, and women are now active contributors to economic development.
Throughout my career in the sports industry, which has traditionally been male-dominated, I've encountered a wide range of experiences. These include receiving inappropriate offers, being regarded as nothing more than a tall, blonde decoration in certain situations, and navigating through male-dominated meetings. I believe many women in the industry can relate to these challenges.
I'm aware that my views may raise eyebrows and elicit responses like, "Here she goes with her feminism and wokism." For the record, I'm not a fan of cancel culture or the superficiality that often clouds discussions around these topics. My stance is simple: I advocate for equal rights, and that has little to do with gender. True equality, in my eyes, means the opportunity for equal pay for equal work, the chance for unhindered career growth, and the freedom to thrive in professional spheres, without judgments based on parameters like physical attributes, hair length, or breast volume.
On the other hand, I don't subscribe to the idea that simply feeling like a woman suffices to be one. Being a woman is to embrace a unique blend of strength and resilience. Moreover, I deeply cherish my feminine side. I revel in expressing my uniqueness through clothing, makeup, and the grace of heels. We, as women, possess the extraordinary ability to bring new life into the world – a power that remains an awe-inspiring mystery. Balancing roles as a mother, wife, and manager demands more than just exceptional time management; it necessitates superhuman strength. I firmly believe that every woman possesses these superpowers, although not everyone fully realizes their potential. The path to equality isn't about emulating men but about celebrating the qualities that make each gender distinctive.
And I'm not a proponent of gender-neutral toilets. Speaking of restrooms, in the book "Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men" by Caroline Criado Perez, she highlights that our world is primarily designed for men, often overlooking women's needs in design considerations. One example she discusses is the gender bias in public restroom design.
Have you ever attended an event where, after it ended, you found yourself waiting in line like women usually do to use the restroom, while your male companion quickly used the facilities? Ever wondered why this happens?
This problem arises because restroom designs often cater mainly to men, neglecting the differences in how women use restrooms.
When space is equally divided between men and women, it means more people can use men's restrooms simultaneously, as they include both urinals, which are space-efficient, and stalls. In contrast, women's restrooms are primarily equipped with stalls.
Additionally, women usually take 2.3 times longer to use the restroom than men on average. About 20-25% of women of childbearing age might be menstruating, requiring additional time to change tampons and sanitary pads. Moreover, women typically need more restroom trips than men due to factors like pregnancy and urinary tract infections, which are eight times more common in women, reducing bladder capacity.
Furthermore, women are often accompanied by children more frequently than men, necessitating extra time in the restroom. Considering these anatomical and non-anatomical differences, it's clear that allocating the same space to men's and women's restrooms is inequitable. This bias in design stems from the historic disregard for women's needs in public restroom design.
A recent read about Angela Merkel, the former Chancellor of Germany, captivated my attention. I've always respected her for her steady leadership, and her journey resonates with me. I was curious to understand how she maintained her influential position on the world stage for 16 years. Her ability to navigate complex relationships with global leaders, including figures known for their strong egos, raised questions that transcended gender. Merkel's gender, in this context, became irrelevant.
I must confess, I'm not a fan of labels such as "best female leader". Such designations inadvertently perpetuate discrimination. Great leadership should be recognized without being tied to gender or race. Leaders earn their accolades through their pragmatism, intelligence, and empathy. Angela Merkel's journey serves as a testament to this belief.
Greater female representation in politics and leadership roles is not just a matter of gender equality; it's about improving the world. Women's innate qualities, such as empathy and a tendency for conflict resolution, could create a more harmonious and cooperative global landscape. I believe in that.
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