As International Women’s Day comes around, some people will be saying ‘what’s the fuss?’ I say it’s totally worth the fuss. This is not only because I am a woman, but because I’ve seen incredible women achieve so much, even when dealt an unfair hand. I know how many more women would be able to achieve their potential if they weren’t faced with the barrier of bias.

Personally, I have been given a fair chance to succeed and I am so grateful for this, but I know others may not be as fortunate as I am. There are so many women around the world who may not have had some of the opportunities that I have had; parents who gave me an equal opportunity to the male peers around me, great institutions who gave me an opportunity to thrive and succeed, and a supportive family that allows me to pursue my career aspirations.

Because of these things, I was about to describe myself as “privileged” - but then I wondered, why “privileged”? Should these things really be considered a privilege?

It’s a question of perspective

Part of the reason I consider myself so lucky is because I have seen so many women before me forced to lay down their dreams so others could pursue theirs. I come from a part of the world where the little girl who is smarter than her brothers is told that education is not for her. The woman is required to step aside just so that she doesn’t tread on the male ego, and mothers - as a given - must sacrifice their careers to tend to the children or be labelled a “bad mother”.

As African women, we all have our fair share of stories like this - so when you’re given a fairer chance to be educated, to pick up your career after a break for childcare, to thrive in a Fintech or Insurtech company, you do feel privileged…

Fighting the odds

To give some context of my background and why this means so much to me, my paternal aunt, as much as she wanted to get educated, was told that education wasn’t for her - just because she was a girl. She watched her younger siblings (the boys) being schooled while she sat on the sidelines, wishing for the education that she wanted so badly.

Long story short, she got married off at a tender age. Against all odds, she was determined to fulfil her dreams of gaining an education. To achieve this, she enrolled herself in her daughter’s primary school, sitting in the same class as her daughter.

Today she holds a Ph.D. in Economics.

Hearing this story in my family as a young woman has shaped my perspective, and it has given me the resolve to always be a champion for fairer chances for women.

#breakthebias to me means education for all, giving a fairer chance for female or non-binary people to thrive in whatever it is that they set their hearts to do. It’s about dismantling discrimination and calling out the stereotypes. It is calling out bias in schools, the workplace, leadership roles, or in a family setting.

Today, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, I am taking a moment to celebrate the powerful women in my life and to encourage those who feel that life hasn’t given them a fairer chance. I am calling out the stereotypes - as a Talent Acquisition Specialist working in technology, and encouraging more women to consider technology-inclined roles.

Dear Woman,

You are enough. You have the skills and the talent. Don’t second guess yourself - just do it! Put in that application, learn a new skill, take up that leadership role.

I am currently a Talent Acquisition Specialist at By Miles and I’m particularly looking out for amazing women and non-binary people to join our Engineering teams. Regardless of your circumstances, be assured that you will be fully supported and you’ll be given a fairer chance to succeed.