Little Woman in a Big Men's World

As International Women's Day dawns upon us, my laptop screen becomes a canvas of vivid notifications, painting a picture of a world seemingly eager to celebrate womanhood. Yet, as a tiny(or so I am called) 5ft woman sitting before the glaring screen of my laptop, notifications popping up with an overwhelming flood of posts, ads, and events tailored for Women's Day, I find myself caught in a whirlwind of emotions and scepticism.

The market screams pink products, exclusive Women's Day sales, and special gift packages, all under the guise of honouring women. Yet, these gestures feel shallow, echoing the manipulative undertones of capitalism rather than genuine care. It makes one ponder - do these entities truly care about women, or are they merely capitalizing on a date to sell to the HR departments of large, impersonal corporations desperate to tick off the inclusion checkbox?

The corporate world often offers superficial compensations—a cake to make up for inadequate maternity leave or a selective promotion of a male colleague over a female—citing the comfort of maintaining a male-dominated environment rather than dismantling it. Isn't that convenient? "The job requires working late shifts, out-of-office shifts, dinners and networking, and as all these spaces are already male-dominated, we selected a male instead of you because he won't be uncomfortable despite similar or fewer capabilities."Guess I will be able to relate to my granddaughter's problems too in the future. This isn't just about a day; it's about the systemic issues that continue to plague women, making every other day of the year an uphill battle.

Reflecting on my journey, I recall my younger self at 15, brimming with dreams and the naive belief that the world was mine to conquer. Academia was my promised land, a place where meritocracy ruled, or so I thought. By 17, the harsh realities began to surface during internships where a 38-year-old supervisor saw me more as a potential date than a budding professional. My early twenties were a series of disillusionments - watching talented women compromise, altering my appearance and demeanour to avoid unwelcome advances, and constantly having to justify my existence in professional spaces.

The most disheartening aspect has been the professional interactions with men. What should be straightforward work-related collaborations often slip into uncomfortable personal territory, leaving me to question my actions. Was I too polite? Yet, how does one become rude when every fibre of their being is woven with politeness?

This isn't just my story. It's the narrative of countless women navigating a world where our achievements are overshadowed by our gender, where our safety is contingent on our size, and where our professional interactions are fraught with unsolicited personal intrusions. The sad reality is that when a man assists another man professionally, it ends with a thank you. But for women, the professional can inexplicably merge with the personal, leaving us to navigate a maze of unwelcome advances and uncomfortable questions. My personal DM's are still filled with messages asking me how I was, if I had dinner or when I am planning to get married. Its from a man I almost collaborated with in a professional project 2 years ago.

My early twenties were marred by the realization that safety was conditional, contingent on the perception of others. A man once told me that my diminutive size would protect me from unwanted attention, a statement quickly nullified by another's actions.The professional world has been a battleground where my physical appearance often overshadowed my capabilities.

Being petite has not only subjected me to unsolicited advances but has also cast a shadow of doubt on my ability to lead and delegate. Comments insinuating that my tiny frame somehow diminishes my leadership potential have been both direct and implied, suggesting that stature is somehow correlated with capability. I found myself altering my appearance, adopting a rudeness that was foreign to me, all in an attempt to navigate a world where my professional aspirations were intertwined with personal vulnerabilities. Interactions with male colleagues have been a constant negotiation.

This Women's Day, I call for a shift beyond the tokenistic celebrations and towards a genuine reassessment of how women are perceived and treated, especially in professional settings. It's time for a world where our safety is a given, not a privilege; and where our professional interactions are defined by mutual respect, not ulterior motives.