How to be a woman in a world that doesn’t seem to support the feminine?
How is a world viable without the participation of women?
A Portuguese writer published this week, on her social network, about the importance of also highlighting men who love and support women, and who act as examples for younger people. I forwarded the post dedicating the message to a great friend, as a way of recognizing him as a man who respects, includes and honors women. It makes a lot of difference to have a person like that by our side.
I also read, recently, an article about a famous Brazilian actor where he explained that he hardly has any male friends anymore. The departure was due to the actor not identifying with the sexist and aggressive behavior of these peers, something that no longer matches the person he has become. Coexistence became uncomfortable and incoherent.
This process of excluding environments and people with whom we no longer align is a kind of purification. Otherwise, we could get sick.
How to deal with misogynistic, prejudiced and violent attitudes?
How to be a woman in another country with a limited or non-existent support network?
“My voice matters, my body matters, and my life matters.”, said a sign carried by a woman at one of the marches in Lisbon against violence. This Sunday (30), the Lisbon group of the Mulheres do Brasil group also protests for the end of gender violence in the “8th Walk to End Violence against Women and Children”.
While we still call for fundamental rights – the right to life, liberty and personal security – we write, we shout, we march.
As we undertake changes, we denounce, we point out, we unite.
May we women, as we live and challenge, remember to also be home to each other.
*Cristina Fontenele is a Brazilian writer, specializing in Writing and Creation. Author of “Um Lugar para Si – reflections on place, memory and belonging”, as well as a journalist and publicist. She has been writing chronicles for fifteen years and, like a typical Ceará native, she loves a hammock and couscous with hot coffee.