#Fresh Take – Part two: you are in control of your body

Clara is an engineer and she’s done listening that women and mathematics “don’t go together”. Relax Clara, those who think that gender determines intellectual performance can’t really have a good logical thinking.

Isura had an abortion – everybody seemed to be a lot more willing to judge the legitimacy of her reasons than actually helping in any way possible. Isura, regardless of your reasons you deserved a safe procedure.

Laura only wears loose clothes because she has never felt comfortable with “women’s wear” collections. Laura, gender does not define clothing. Everybody can and should wear whatever best fits their identity.

Lily doesn’t feel good about eating other animals, but many people seem to bother about her eating habits. Lily, nobody has anything to do with what you eat or stop eating. Your nutrition concerns you only!

Some people doubted that Vicky had been abused, saying she didn’t look “traumatised enough”. Vicky, nobody has the right to dictate the way you deal with your own experiences and even less to judge the weight of those experiences based on your brave smile.

Liv usually has pimples on her face. She has lost count of how many times random people have come up to her saying she should handle her problem. Liv knows acne is something natural, and doesn’t understand why other people are so concerned about something on her skin, which doesn’t even bother her as much as it bothers others.

Rose decided not to have children. You don’t have to worry Rose, motherhood is a choice and your decision does not make you any less of a woman! When Loise found out she was HIV positive many people said her life was over. It’s been some time now since she was diagnosed and she has come to learn that it is possible to be happy and live well with the virus, that her life is more than just surviving.

Some people said that Thais should give up her dream because some jobs are really meant “just for men”. Thais was the first female in her town to become an airplane pilot and she doesn’t regret ignoring bad advice.

Yasmin suffers from bulimia, but many didn’t take it seriously because her body doesn’t match the image some people have of women with eating disorders. Yasmin, the fact that your bones aren’t showing doesn’t mean your problem shouldn’t be taken seriously. You deserve help regardless of how people think you should look.

Ursula never liked wearing makeup. That’s not a problem, Ursula! You are the boss of your own face.

Collette, doesn’t identify with society’s expectations for senior citizens, and at the age of 64 she began college for a degree in architecture. Collette, your will to learn and love for life do not depend on your age, and remember there is no age restriction placed on anyone’s education.

Flora has been told several times to get a tan so she doesn’t look sickly pale. Flora, you don’t have any obligation to please others.

Manu has dwarfism and she has heard plenty of horrible comments, especially when she was in a public place with her husband. Manu you’re entitled to love and be loved like anyone else.

As a child Celest was sexually abused by a family friend and many believed she would never be happy again. But today, Celest is very happy, probably happier than individuals who haven’t been sexually abused. She was hurt, but not broken. She is more than what a horrible person did to her.

Susan wears a hijab out of choice (Hijab is a head covering worn in public by some Muslim women), but many say she is just another woman oppressed by Islam. Susan, what you wear is your own personal decision, and its oppressive to strip you of the freedom of choice.

Maya has been told that she would be gorgeous is her skin wasn’t so dark. Maya, skin tone doesn’t define beauty or ugliness, it just skin deep. That comment can reveal racism in some people. You are BEAUTIFUL! With or without your dark skin tone, beauty is what is on the inside, which reflects on the outside.

I had to stop myself here, or else I’ll just keep going… I wanted to touch on the range of impressive, intersectional topics, including identity, body image, ageism, racism, sexism, etc. I also wanted to highlight the difficulties faced by women in our society or those that come along with womanhood as well as serve as empowering reminders that will get you fist pumping in the air.

Some characters are based on the experiences of friends I’ve known and others I’ve drawn inspiration from all the stories of the many women that they share in novels or that represent themselves either directly or indirectly on TV shows or media platforms.
Each sentence speaks for itself, and has a voice of its own. All are entitled to agree or disagree with the above. If you can relate to anything similar to the above I hope it encourages you to stand up to what you believe is right and put you in control of your situation. Some of the character’s stories may make you cheer, smile or maybe even cry a little.