Vitono Haralu (Gugu)
I have often thought why we women struggle so much and what it will take for us to walk on the path we choose without many artificial hurdles created for us and with natural conflicts to achieve our even basic dreams to the ones we dream that seemed ambitious for many.
Today, as you read and celebrate International women’s day, I like to share why it is becoming an urgent need to voice and be bold to speak your mind in anything where your heart screams out to be heard. Yes, I understand that sometimes, we just have to up our horses to stay calm, patient and mellowed down to appease the other gender and our own kind so that we don’t sound loud and destructive but I say, what’s it with being loud and clear? Does it makes us look vivacious and at the same time unwanted or unpleasing or it’s the other way round how men and the society defines us to be that says , that’s better and that’s because that is acceptable by all and fits the norm like any other society.
Difficult conversation is part of life and one must pursue to become better version one self.
In this emerging society that we all live in, we witness the number of series that we watch all that is available for us to see in movies, serials etc, the narratives for each is changing and we are getting to see that scripts for women are becoming bolder and better but yes of course we do have counter words and actions that is also being show cased where the reality good or bad is also not accepted because the majority says so.
In many slogans and campaigns we are witnessing about empowering girls and women and highlighting the plight we face on daily basis and how addressing them has become a priority but it doesn’t come without critics and prejudice towards the issue faced by real people. How often it is shuffled and spoken about yet it somehow remains where it all started. Atrocities and violence against girls and women have been growing day by day and it different forms perhaps taking shape with so much intervention tools that have been introduced.
Have we cared enough? Starting from our own homes? Our menfolks at home, have they shown the right way to elevate us to become the person we are meant to become or otherwise? Difficult question, but an important question to ask and seek.
Now we have menspeaks where men rights are also emerging and that’s alright. What is not right is, non should be oppressed and suppressed. Why can’t we give a chance to live peacefully with respect and acceptance of who we can be? Together we can do so much.
Writing, speaking and acting out on how we feel about ourselves just started recently in our Naga Society. Many times and many times, we fear to say what we really want to say or need to say. Because? Well, I shall leave that for you to ask yourself why women don’t speak up. Or why you don’t speak up.
You see, a lot has been said and done and more can be done.
THE FIRST time I heard the word feminism was through the mouth of my male friends. And how did they coin that on me, was because I was opinionated about my thoughts, feelings and the way I do things. I never thought, my individual expressions were going to get me tagged. It actually made me think and research what FEMINISM really was and why did my friends say I was one.
It took me awhile to gather my thoughts and process what kind of world I was growing up in and it surly threw surprises to make me show up in my best and even in my worst of self. Having discovered a bit what my friends meant, I suddenly realised that my VOICE was for myself was rare and strong. That my voice to my feelings and my thoughts was compelling to others. That my voice to speak my mind was intriguing. The power to speak and be free of any chain to tame my words was empowering and that for many that was and is still a problem. Infact, that tag helped me find myself more and shape my being. I learnt that I was build that way since I was a baby and life added many more flavours in nurturing me into this beautiful amazing being to make a difference for good.
Trust me, I love men and all kinds because they are a gift from God and just so we get this clear, so are we, women.
If you ask me how I feel about myself – I say, I love it the way I turned out to be.
Today’s piece I wish to convey a very simple new narrative – Women, celebrate who you are and are becoming. You never stop growing and learning unless you decide to stop yourself. To be happy and find joy , begins with oneself first and then you share .
Do we dare ourselves to know what we are really made of? If you haven’t tried, try it.
The key to finding your true self is when you begin to look into the mirror and ask yourself this question, who am I ? the version your family decides for you, the society tags you, your friends defines you or YOU decide who you want to become and could become. This comes from a space of excellence and not of perfection and the beauty lies in your true purpose and identity, for you are God’s masterpiece. Owned it and drive your life passionately and courageously.
You owned your story. Nobody else.
And remember, today and everyday, is Women’s Day. Our day. Your day. My day. Be real. Be everything. The right one will come along. Stay put and do your thing.
Happy International Women’s Day beautiful people.
