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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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Statement Accessories…We love the power of accessories to make strong fashion statements, and Taíla Carrilho, founder of Atelier Taila Carrilho in Mozambique creates the most exquisite, eye-cat Image of the Day / Nokware Skincare

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African luxury couture…For those who want to stand out from the crowd, Dibo Ndumbe Eyoh, co-founder and co-creative Director of Eloli, an award-winning luxury African fashion brand in Cameroon, has just what you need. Image of the Day / KOVA

Luxury leather tote…Petrina Auino-Mwandingi is the founder and creative director of her own brand of leather products, KOVA, in Namibia. The business produces high quality leather handbags, primarily totes as well as o Image of the Day / Hope Distillery

Boutique gin…If you are a gin lover, then check out Hope Distillery, a South African distillery in the heart of urban Cape Town. Established by Lucy Beard and her husband Leigh Lisk, Hope Distillery is a sma Image of the Day / Amorambique

Capulana with style... If you love Capulana, then explore the new range of modern accessories from Amorambique, Mozambique, created by founder Patricia Vasco. This proudly Mozambican brand of accessories and footwear i Image of the Day / Suzie Beauty

Marvellous Make-up…When you need to take your make-up routine to the next level, professional Kenyan make-up brand, Suzie Beauty, founded by Suzie Wokabi, has you covered. Suzie founded her successful business Image of the Day / Aya K Design

Sophisticated sandal style…If you love design that combines traditional with modern style, then these sandals from Aya K Design, founded by Aya Keita in Cote d’Ivoire, are a must-buy. Aya is an entreprene Image of the Day / House of Cinnamon

Animal print pumps…These eye-catching animal print pumps from House of Cinnamon in South Africa are a great addition to any stylish wardrobe. Founded by Frances Edwards, House of Cinnamon is a proudly Afro

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