We live in a world, where women’s ability to being selfless and nurture is often abused. While we expect our women to be there for others, but there is hardly anyone for her.
On the same thought, earlier this year on International Women’s Day, Angelina Jolie dedicated a heartfelt essay to her daughters titled “Why Girls Deserve Love and Respect?”
We believe everyone needs to read it.
The 44-year-old actress who has 6 kids, 18-year-old Maddox, 16-year-old Pax, 15-year-old Zahara, 13-year-old Shiloh, and 11-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox, revealed that two of her daughters underwent surgeries earlier this year.
According to CNN, she wrote,
“They know that I am writing this because I respect their privacy and we discussed it together and they encouraged me to write. They understand that going through medical challenges and fighting to survive and heal is something to be proud of.”
Talking about how all the siblings handled the difficult situation she said,
“I have watched my daughters care for one another. My youngest daughter studied the nurses with her sister and then assisted the next time. I saw how all my girls so easily stopped everything and put each other first, and felt the joy of being of service to those they love…Their brothers were there for them, supportive and sweet.”
But then, someone mentioned to her that caring “comes naturally to girls,”. This made her wonder how the world expects women across the globe to make endless sacrifices and serve others. Their worth is measured by how much they “give”.
She further added that it is okay for girls to focus on themselves too,
“The little girl is expected to take care of others. The woman she grows up to be will be expected to give, and care for, and sacrifice. Girls are often conditioned to think that they are good only when they serve others, and selfish or wrong if ever they focus on their own needs and desires.”
She concluded by saying,
“Little girls’ softness, their openness, and instinct to nurture and help others, must be appreciated and not abused. We must do much more to protect them, in all societies: not only against the extreme ways girls’ rights are often violated but also the more subtle injustices and attitudes that so often go unnoticed or excused.”
“So my wish on this day is that we value girls. Care for them. And know that the stronger they grow, the healthier they will be and the more they will give back to their family and community.”
At IFORHER, we couldn’t agree more with her as a society should stop expecting women to make endless compromised. We feel it is high time that society stops making us feel guilty for making ourselves a priority!