WHEN we talk about celebrations, we typically think of them as only necessary when a significant achievement occurs. This, however, causes us to ignore some of the things worth celebrating every day.
Most of the time, we forget how difficult it is to face all of the responsibilities that await us. As an example, the challenging task of raising an individual is something we frequently overlook to celebrate.
Photo Courtesy: Bryan Gadingan
However, as we celebrate Women’s Month, it is critical that we reflect on the significant impact that women have had on changing lives, communities, and society as a whole in every way possible.
Aside from commemorating these women’s significant contributions to our society, it is critical to recognize how they have affected our lives on a daily level, right within our own homes.
A Household of Strong Women
Growing up, I always wondered how life would be without my mother to illuminate the way for us. Just like what Filipinos refer to as “Ilaw ng Tahanan,” the light that guides us and determines the course of our lives.
I grew up in a household controlled by powerful women, including my mother, grandmother, aunts, and sisters, all of whom played important roles in molding my identity.
Despite not having a strong father figure growing up, I had the opportunity to witness and interact with strong women who worked tirelessly to make ends meet while providing me with love, discipline, and wisdom.
Photo Courtesy: Bryan Gadingan
Living in the bustling streets of Tondo, Manila, where most would consider the roughest of the toughest lives, being a man required me to be stoic, strong, independent, and emotionally repressed majority of the time.
However, as a man raised by women, I reflect on my upbringing, which was profoundly influenced by women. Raised by women, I saw personally the complexity and resilience that they embodied on a daily basis.
My experience has given me a new perspective on empowerment, as I have seen the ideal blend of kindness and strength. In today’s tough world, finding that balance is difficult.
Redefining Strength
As a young boy, it would have been simple to embrace society’s gender stereotypes, which portray males as powerful and women as subservient. However, at my home, I was taught the opposite.
I was shown that power is not and will never be based on gender, as women are in fact the driving force behind the success and emotional well-being of every household, including mine.
Their steadfast commitment and perseverance instilled in me a strong appreciation for women’s responsibilities in today’s society and how they will positively impact our future as well.
The women who raised me had an excellent combination of tender and caring personalities, as well as the ability to be fierce when necessary, particularly in the face of adversity.
I observed my mother bear burdens that most people would find unbearable. These instances showed a deeper strength, one that allowed her emotions to grow rather than suppress them.
#EmpowerHer, Everyday
As a man raised by women, I’ve been acutely aware of the harm caused by toxic masculinity. This destructive societal construct forces men to comply to obsolete and damaging ideas about what it means to “be a man.”
Thinking about it, toxic masculinity has inhibited emotional expression, reinforced detrimental stereotypes about women, and perpetuated a never-ending cycle of oppression.
#EmpowerHer is more than simply a hashtag; it is a call to action for men to take an active part in advocating for gender equality, challenging our biases, and building a world in which women are celebrated and not discriminated against.
Photo Courtesy: Bryan Gadingan
More than that, it is a simple way to honor not just these women’s monumental triumphs, but also the challenges they overcame while remaining unafraid of any adversity that comes their way.
I am fortunate to have been raised by strong, educated, and kind women who taught me the true meaning of empowerment—not as a concept limited to one gender, but as an ideal that transcends barriers.
It is not about one gender controlling the other; rather, it is about empowering one another and breaking down oppressive structures that limit our potential. I am a staunch believer that when women succeed, society benefits.
