Orang Perempuan.

Today, twt_malaysia's topic was pretty interesting. I found the discussion to be more on the Muslim perspective on women's right and well being but it really got me thinking of what I do want for women. 

I want more girls to be encouraged to lead.

I remember in primary school, I was told that class monitors and club presidents should be boys. The boys are nominated and elected as leaders, in a way that it is a rule of life that a only a male can have leadership traits. There will be people playing the religion card and say "only men can be imam, thus only men can be leaders," I do not deny on the first part of that but the latter? No. (I do not think I'm in a fit state to say more on the religious views of this, so let just be that) 

I've been in many female-lead clubs, organization and classes.The teams worked out fantastic. It didn't crumble, it wasn't weak, It was no different working in a group lead by a strong man compared to a strong woman. From editing the school yearbook, performed at national band competitions and running university student societies, I've worked with a lot of strong ladies that I've learnt a lot from and hope to have their strength and courage.

I've heard people say "Bagi budak perempuan la," when a secretary position was opened and also "Nak cari budak lelaki untuk take the chair position," after me saying that I won't mind taking the job. Even in university, some people still prioritize positions to be gender-based rather than individuals' qualities. Everybody deserves to be evaluated regardless of their gender.

Cheers for the girls who dare speak up and proved to people that women can rule the world!

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!

We teach girls to shrink themselves
To make themselves smaller
We say to girls,
"You can have ambition
But not too much
You should aim to be successful
But not too successful
Otherwise you will threaten the man."
Because I am female
I am expected to aspire to marriage
I am expected to make my life choices
Always keeping in mind that
Marriage is the most important
Now marriage can be a source of
Joy and love and mutual support
But why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage
And we don't teach boys the same?
We raise girls to see each other as competitors
Not for jobs or for accomplishments
Which I think can be a good thing
But for the attention of men
We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings
In the way that boys are
Feminist: the person who believes in the social
Political, and economic equality of the sexes

 - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 
in her TEDx speech which was taken as part in Beyonce's Flawless.