Yes, this is an every day thing for the next two weeks! I love hearing other women’s views regarding gender, social barriers and their general view on the world as a woman. So here’s the fourth episode with the amazing Chinyere (Chinny) who I met through my NGO Our Vision NG – an NGO empowering Nigerian youths to maximize national potential. Chinny has been working with us as a Political Analyst for over a year now and she always blows my mind!
(LJS) Hey Chinny! Thank you for agreeing to this interview!
(CE) Not a problem Laila!
(LJS) What does being a 21st century woman mean to you?
(CE) Being a 21st Century woman means empowering myself, and enabling myself to be the best I can be in whatever I choose to do. It means fighting societal barriers refraining me from being the best version of myself.
(LJS) Brilliant. Have you faced any barriers as a woman today?
(CE) As a woman studying Engineering, I have faced many gender-related barriers, such as male class mates doubting my intelligence and capabilities simply because I am female. As with many other women, I have been viewed as substandard when compared to my male counterparts. The Engineering field has come a long way with regards to eradicating sexism, but there is still a long way to go.
(LJS) I’m so proud of you and your dedication to your course regardless of the barriers. It’s so inspiring. Do you recognize yourself as a feminist? If so, what type of feminist are you?
(CE) I am a true feminist, in the sense that I stand for the true definition of feminism. I stand for equal opportunities for women in every aspect of life.
(LJS) When did you first recognize the fact that gender inequality exists?
(CE) The realization that gender inequality is a societal problem came during my high school years. I observed that most people believed that men were the superior sex at a very young age.
(LJS) Unfortunately that’s the case for most of us. But when you’re faced with barriers because of your gender, how do you overcome them?
(CE) I’ve come to understand that sexism is almost unavoidable in our communities today. As a result of this, I’ve resolved to do the absolute best I can and more. I believe the best way to combat these barriers is to not settle for mediocrity.
(LJS) Yes girl! What is your greatest achievement so far?
(CE) I am my greatest achievement. I have worked very hard to become the person I am today, spiritually, academically and socially. If I had to choose though, I would say my greatest achievement is my relationship with God.
(LJS) That’s such a beautiful statement. Recognizing your greatness and holding your head high is one of the most important tools for character development today. What does “The Future Is Female” mean to you?
(CE) “The Future is Female”, to me, means women can no longer be ignored, undermined or seen as substandard. Our achievements and aspirations reflect a greatness that cannot be shut down or put away. I believe The Future is Female represents the fight that many feminists, past and present, have been fighting for.
Chinny Eze is a 21 year old chemical engineering student in America. She is a strong advocate for human rights, feminism and making the world a better place.
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