Ruthabel
What does life as a woman or girl look like in your part of the world? What roles do women play in your society?
As a woman, everyone has a way they want you to behave, what to wear, how to talk, but I want to quote scripture, “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future” (Proverbs 21:35). This is what we should live by wherever we find ourselves but no, society won’t allow this. Society will prefer if women are regarded and seen as the weaker gender. As a woman, you are told to follow your dreams but just when you start to do so, they come back to bite you, trying to tell you what to do and not to do. Recently, things have been looking different [here]. Women are allowed to do much much more than the past but we still need to fight harder.
What do you think is the most significant barrier to women empowerment and/or gender equality today?
To me I will say the most significant barrier to women empowerment is low self-esteem as women. Low self-esteem is characterized by a lack of confidence and feeling bad about oneself. Women with low self-esteem often feel unlovable, awkward, or incompetent. According to researchers Morris Rosenberg and Timothy J. Owens, who wrote Low Self-Esteem People: A Collective Portrait, people with low self-esteem tend to be hypersensitive. They have a fragile sense of self that can easily be wounded by others. So I believe this is something we should work on as women.
OK, tell us all about yourself. Who are YOU & what should the world know about you?
I am Ruthabel Mensah, a young woman of 27 years. I am very creative and I want others to share in this so I train young ladies who avail themselves to learn from what I know at no cost. I am a fun-loving person! In my free time, I watch movies and browse the internet. I love kids so much so I am planning to start something for kids (still in the pipeline though) and I am the best cook LOL!
Describe yourself in one word: "I am... FUN!
What are some of the most notable events (milestones) that have happened in your life to date?
I lost my dad when I was just six years old and it wasn’t easy for my mum to bring myself and my brother up, but here I am - a graduate with my own startup business so I will say my whole life is a notable event LOL!
What obstacles have you faced and overcome?
I don’t call any of those things obstacles but life lessons. They are what have helped me to be who I am today. And I will share this quotation with you, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13 ). So just know this anytime you are faced with an obstacle.
Looking externally into the public sphere, what female public figure inspires you the most to achieve your dreams & why?
I would say my mum but naaah - she isn’t a public figure so Michelle Obama. She inspires me in more ways that one, reading her book BECOMING, I was overwhelmed with how much inspiration I got from that book.
What's your definition of success?
My definition of success is quite simple: success is simply what you feel after you are able to achieve a goal. Success shouldn’t be measured because is relative to everyone.
How have the women and girls around you helped you to get to where you are today?
My mother and grandmother have taught me to always face the world with a smile and lots of confidence. They always say that I should know that everyone cries, just not in front of you… and also, never share your dreams with just anyone because usually more than half of them will just laugh at you because they don’t have foresight. So always believe in yourself.
Complete this sentence: "To be a girl or woman today, is to be..."
Strong and ready because you won’t know what will be thrown at you.