#4
One thing I really want to address, especially since I speak so much about women’s rights, which I’m deeply passionate about, is the misconception that advocating for women’s rights means being against men. I often talk about how patriarchal our current societal systems are, but I want to be absolutely clear: I have deep respect for men who think critically, challenge the status quo, and stand by the women they love. Men who cheer for women’s growth and help navigate oppressive systems are incredibly important and I admire them.
In fact, my father has been a huge role model for me. He’s a true critical thinker and never imposed traditional gender roles on me or my sister. He never told me to be soft or overly kind just because I’m a woman. He always celebrated my way of thinking and so did my mother. I’ve been incredibly lucky to have such supportive parents. Even as a child, they respected my opinions and included me in decisions. My dad would call me out when something I said didn’t make sense, but he never framed it in terms of “how a woman thinks” or “how a man should think.” It was always about logic and reasoning, not gender.
I’ve had amazing male mentors and friends, and even today, some of my biggest supporters are men. So, when it comes to long-term relationships or even marriage, I know that the person I choose needs to embody those same values but even multiplied. I need to see that we help each other grow. Too many relationships are built on comfort or autopilot decisions, without real reflection or shared purpose.
I know I talk a lot about women’s rights, but I want to make it clear that I believe a truly good man—a man raised with integrity—will stand by women. Take the example of Marie Curie.
Sadly, our societies—both men and women—are wounded, because a lot of people benefit from these divisions. But if I can shed even a little light on these issues, I’ll keep speaking up.