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My career or my family?

June 26, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Erica Paiva

The empowered woman of today receives this question almost every day in an ironic way. As if she could not choose and had to blindly consent that there is no possibility of pursuing a career to the detriment of the family, only to the man is given that possibility of being able to venture into his academic or professional career and leaving the care of the family in the woman's responsibility. But is that right?

Depending on the socio-cultural conjuncture of the area or community that she is in, especially looking at Africa, they would say yes, because just letting the woman go to work is already a lot. But let's see, in structural, physical terms, most of the women really cannot be equal to men. However, even if they cannot somehow perform some of the functions of a masculine nature, this should not dictate the possibility of having or not having to pursue an academic and professional opportunity.

The woman must have the freedom to be away from her family for 6 months, 1 year or more, either in an academic or professional pursuit. The tasks she normally performs may be transferred to her husband, boyfriend or a close relative, whether is her mother, sister and so on, and this should not constitute a repudiation of her character, much less lack of love for her family.

So, a woman can and should choose for herself and that will not make her any less better, as long as she makes sure that she leaves a support network that can literally help to take care of her family as well as she does. It is important to emphasize that this is one of the most difficult decisions for women, so much so that some end up giving up on their dreams for fear of reprisals and social stereotypes, but I tell you woman, don't be afraid, just study your family base and negotiate the best way to combine your dreams with the well-being of your family, don't feel trapped and unable to do so.

Therefore, WOMAN GO AND SHINE!


A minha Carreira ou a minha família?

Erica Paiva

A mulher empoderada dos dias de hoje, recebe essa questão quase todos dias de forma irônica como se nao pudesse escolher e tivesse que cegamente consentir que não existe a possibilidade de seguir com a carreira em detrimento da família, e apenas ao homem e dada essa possibilidade de poder aventurar na sua carreira acadêmica ou profissional e deixando o cuidado da família na responsabilidade da mulher. Mas será isso correcto?

Dependendo da conjuntura sócio cultural da área ou comunidade que esteja inserido, principalmente olhando para África, diriam que sim, pois só o facto de deixar com que a mulher vá trabalhar já é um muito.

Mas ora vejamos, em termos estruturais, físicos, realmente na sua maioria a mulher não tem como se igualar ao homem, porém, mesmo não podendo de alguma forma exercer algumas das funções de cariz masculino, isso nao devera ditar a possibilidade de ter ou não que seguir uma oportunidade acadêmica e profissional.

A mulher tem que ter a liberdade de poder também ficar distante da sua família por 6meses, 1 ano ou mais, seja em uma busca acadêmica ou profissional, e as tarefas que normalmente exerce poderão passar para o seu marido, namorado ou para um parente próximo, seja  mãe, irmã e por ai fora, e isso nao devera constituir um repúdio ao seu carácter e muito menos falta de amor pela sua família.

A mulher pode sim e deve escolher por si próprio e isso não a tornará menos melhor, desde que garanta que deixa uma rede de apoio que possa literalmente ajudar a cuidar tão bem quanto ela. É importante frisar que esta é uma das decisões mais difíceis para a mulher, tanto que algumas acabam desistindo dos seus sonhos por medo das represálias e estereótipos sociais, mas lhe digo mulher não tenha medo, apenas estude a sua base familiar e negocie a melhor forma de aliar os teus sonhos ao bem estar da sua familia, nao se sinta presa e incapaz de o fazer.

Portanto, TU MULHER VÁ E BRILHE!


Erica Paiva is a creative woman entrepreneur from Mozambique who decided to use her own unique skills as a tv host, writer, actress, master of ceremony, and event planner to create a niche, personal brand in the marketplace. Erica’s brand has been in the market for 7 years, but she has been working for a total of 15 years. As well as planning and producing events, Erica is also a Master of Ceremonies and an actress. Her business has a social media department that creates live streams with guests on Facebook called Descomplicando Sentimentoscom a Erica Paiva.

More about Erica Paiva

More articles by Erica

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Procrastination of My Days
Nov 26, 2023
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A minha Carreira ou a minha família?
Jul 7, 2022
A minha Carreira ou a minha família?
Jul 7, 2022
Jul 7, 2022
My career or my family?
Jun 26, 2022
My career or my family?
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Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c
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Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
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Glamorous fruit gifting…For all those lovers of great hand-made chocolates, look no further than Food Lounge Mz in Mozambique, founded by Kátia Agy. Previously known as a singer and TV presenter, K&aac Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak 

Eye-catching accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The br Image of the Day / The Joinery

Sustainable Summer Tote…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ Image of the Day / The House of Agness

An elegant floral gifting idea… Mariana Agness Francisco Eria is a creative force in contemporary floral design. Her business, The House of Agness, is a luxury florist and gifting boutique nestled in Map Image of the Day / Bush Princess

Ethical luxury accessories…We think this Mara bag from the creative Charlotte Lefebvre, founder of Bush Princess in Kenya, is perfect for any occasion. Bush Princess is an ethical fashion brand, committed to s Image of the Day / Khokho Collection

Summer Tote Bag…We love this super stylish woven summer tote bag, perfect for the weekend from Khokho Collection, founded by social entrepreneurs Philippa Thorne, Sapna Shah and master weaver Zinhle Vilaka Image of the Day / The House of Agness

An elegant floral gifting idea… Mariana Agness Francisco Eria is a creative force in contemporary floral design. Her business, The House of Agness, is a luxury florist and gifting boutique nestled in Map Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c Image of the Day / Nokware Skincare

Sustainable skincare…We love to see natural cosmetics companies with a sustainable approach to business succeeding in Africa, and Nokware Skincare, founded by Tutuwa Ahwoi in Ghana is a great example. She f Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi

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