As above, so below. As within, so without.

Our inner strength as women and our power of transformation throughout history are undeniable. We have played crucial roles in society, often determining the success of men. “Behind every great man, there is always a great woman,” goes the saying. However, while we armed ourselves with patience and courage to hide or disguise our talents, they labelled us as witches, madwomen, or simply wrong.

Even so, history is full of women who have brought about transformative change in various fields: scientific research, politics, the fight for rights, art, spirituality, finance… Women who, through their intelligence, courage, and determination, have shaped the course of the world: Cleopatra, Hypatia of Alexandria, Eva Perón, Joan of Arc, Marie Curie, Jane Goodall, Eleanor Roosevelt, Indira Gandhi, Rosa Parks, Angela Merkel, Maya Angelou, Virginia Woolf, Coco Chanel, Jane Austen, Amelia Earhart, Frida Kahlo, Mary Shelley, Malala Yousafzai, Simone de Beauvoir, Maria Callas, Greta Thunberg, Valentina Tereshkova.

As above, so below.

It is true that the collective power of women is growing, but it is not true that the path has been made easy for us. As a woman with experience in political and business management, I have always believed that change must be driven by governments in order to be applied to society as a whole. However, I am also convinced that true change begins within each individual and is projected onto the environment around them.

As within, so without.

I have always believed there is great hypocrisy in the application of social policies. Demonstrations for equality are meaningless if public officials act from the hypocrisy of power. It is in daily life, in close interactions, where it becomes evident that we still need genuine equality policies—not only to combat gender inequality in all areas of society but also to prevent it for future generations, those who will one day lead us.

It is constantly repeated that efforts are being made to eliminate gender-based vulnerability in political programmes and corporate policies, but… how are these programmes truly put into practice? As long as there are women degraded because of their gender, we continue to fail as a society. Are we implementing gender equality at the cost of other inequalities? Are we leaving behind other vulnerable groups due to social and economic factors? As long as we generalise equality policies without addressing specific realities, we will have failed.

Are we truly acting through effective and socially responsible policies? Every year, finance and economy media publish lists of the most influential women in the world. But if we look closely, we realise that these women are one among thousands. One among many men in power. One among many women left behind by glass ceilings, social injustices, and lack of economic opportunities.

One among many. One among countless.

Let me tell you: this is not equality. It is proof that inequality still persists. It is evidence of the ongoing disrespect towards women and gender injustices. It reflects everything we, as women, experience daily and, out of fear, have often chosen to remain silent about.

Look at your environment, your professional and personal journey. If you are a woman like me, I am sure that, on more than one occasion, you too have been a victim of this system.

As above, so below. As within, so without.

Pro-women speeches are meaningless if change is not felt from within and does not translate into actions in our immediate surroundings. Days like today are pointless if we are forced to demand the same rights year after year.

As a WOMAN, I advocate for a fair life for us.
As a WOMAN, I advocate for a life where our rights are not violated, regardless of the context or the moment.
As a WOMAN, I advocate for the day when the need to celebrate 8M is no longer a utopia but a reality.