Fear... The emotion pulling us behind! The root cause of all women barriers.

Fear is natural. Even the most brave men fear.... Its ok to fear but don't let it gain hold of your ambitions, your dreams because when all is said and done you should only fear disappointing yourself.

According to a 2011 McKinsey report, it was noted that men are promoted based on potential and women on past accomplishments. Sounds familiar? Do you date based on potential? Do men date women based on potential? Oh no! Do you hear a man saying  "She never completed college but man she has so much potential!?  Never in a million years. So why do we women compromise? .On both career and relationship fronts women are judged based on accomplishment rather than potential.

 
In most cases Fear is the root cause of all women barriers. We fear we wont be liked, We fear we will make the wrong choice, We fear we may be judged, We fear reaching out, making decisions. Mot of all we fear being  a bad  mother, daughter or wife. Men on the other hand go for it. They will take a scholarship abroad for 2 years without fearing the "bad husband/ son label". They take a promotion at the earliest opportunity. Does that mean you should not care? No. Strike a balance, Take the opportunity and make it work! Reach out! go for it!

 What this means is that you don't need to hold back. Go out there. get your degree even if your husband doesn't have one ... Don't apologize for your promotion .. Get that car because you can afford it. Go for that trip, Take that scholarship.. Love laugh cry because you have only one opportunity to live

 Go for it! don't fear.....

'A quote from a song by Beyonce borrowed from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie'

Feminism.... What is this all about now?

I feel sad  that some people go around using the word feminist or feminism to imply something else.

They don't bother even to look up the meaning in the dictionary. In fact they use it to refer to their aggressive female boss who wears no make up, probably never wears a dress or perfume... you get the picture?
This is not feminism. The dictionary definition of a feminist is one who supports feminism. So lets define feminism;

"Feminism is a range of movements and ideologies that share a common goal: to define, establish, and achieve equal political, economic, cultural, personal, and social rights for women. This includes seeking to establish equal opportunities for women in education and employment."


So yes , I  am a feminist. I believe there are men who are feminists too... I believe I should have equal rights and opportunities as men. Does this annoy you? Do you believe that women like me are the reason why men  are alcoholics or are having their  physiological "engines" cut off in Nyeri? Or maybe we are the cause of increased drop out rates for boys?  No apologies here.

 Feminism is here to stay until we get equal rights and opportunities. May be not overnight but am sure my time and my grandmother's time are significantly different. This was only made possible by women who chose to believe, act, speak out... even through a blog!  

Welcome!