International Women’s Day. From an immigrant woman’s point of view.

Norway is a wonderful country that values and makes efforts to guarantee gender equality. Some immigrants who come from chauvinist societies may be surprised or even in shock in a country that allows the father to stay at home with the baby so that the mother can go back to work after the first months. I think it’s brilliant as it helps to build a loving father-child relationship. In addition, it helps men understand that women don’t stay home all day doing nothing. Researches show that most immigrant women coming from non Western countries, with low level of education tend to stay at home after they become mothers, while their husbands go to work. Norwegian laws stimulate women to study and to join the workforce.

Our prime minister is a woman, Stavanger mayor and many other politicians and leaders as well. It sounds like a joke that women didn’t have the right to vote in the past. I think Norwegian women are incredibly strong and brave. They’re still fighting to get equal payment for equal job. We’re not there yet.

At school, girls and boys have the same opportunities, responsibilities and have access to the same toys. Soccer is popular among boys and girls, for example. Girls are allowed and encouraged to do/be anything they want to be. They never hear: you can’t because you are a girl. Thanks to the previous generations of Norwegian women. All my applause to you.

Many countries in the world still have high rates of murder of women by husbands, boyfriends and other men. Unfortunately, there are still thoughts that women are worthless creatures made to please men. In Brazil, laws like Maria da Penha came finally to punish the aggressors and protect women who are abused. There’s one car in the subway only for women at rush hour. I wish we didn’t need that, but I’m very grateful we do have one place to commute in peace. I tested it last year and it felt good, as if I was only among friends.

Thanks to the MeToo movement, women from many parts of the world have joint forces to say: No is No.
No, it’s not normal to be touched by others if you don’t want to. No, we don’t want to be harassed at work just because we wear skirts. How can men understand that? No, I don’t want to hear you, stranger, asking if I want to sit on your lap, at the gym. This is not flirting. This is sexual harassment.

Yesterday, I attended an event called More Than a Woman. There, many immigrant women with different backgrounds and a Norwegian woman talked about their lives and their efforts for a better world, with gender equality meaning girls having right to education and against femicide. Those women are brave and have an important role in our society. Hearing them all brings to me two words: empathy and solidarity. One of those amazing women said: I want to be proud of my friends, not jealous.

Why are so many women against other women? Why do we gossip and envy other women? Why do we follow this model of competition that do nothing but tear us apart and weaken us?

Women’s self esteem. There’s been actions to encourage girls to accept and love their natural curly hair. Some celebrities and influencers have worked to show girls they should be happy with their bodies and not feel pressured to change and fit in a pattern.

A simple change of habit that everybody can do. I’d like girls to understand that gossip and excluding other girls won’t make you happier or more popular. There’s room for everybody to shine.

Happy International Women’s Day. I hope you shine bright like a diamond and lift others as well.