life STORIES of WOMEN & GIRLS around THE WORLD

THE GT STORY PROJECT - LIFE AS A WOMAN

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Fiona

Fiona

India has always treated its boys and girls differently. Girls are taught from a very young age to be obedient to their male counterparts and they are prepared to be compliant, demure wives, and thus, whenever a girl decides to take her life into her own hands or put her happiness before other people's, she is ostracized as a "rebel", her character is put under question and the girl herself cannot have dreams of her own or be passionate about anything without feeling guilty, because of the way she has been trained to think and believe by the patriarchal society.

IndiaGirlTable AdminJuly 31, 2018India

Aysha

Aysha

In our community, we are seen humans who are meant to be locked up in the house, as humans whose voices are not meant to be heard, like we don't have a say. But if things continue this way it'll lead to the downfall of our society. Women have unique ideas they can bring to the table. It's time we're given the chance to speak, prove ourselves and make a positive impact in the world.

NigeriaGirlTable AdminJuly 30, 2018Nigeria

Mary

I'm passionate about art and activism. I work as a professional illustrator, and sometimes show my beliefs through my art. I received death threats over my art, because it portrayed a naked woman intertwined with a snake.

GreeceGirlTable AdminJuly 30, 2018Greece

Huma

Huma

I got married just after my graduation. I wanted to follow my dreams. I wanted to be someone unique, popular in any way. I wanted to be a strong, independent woman. I have been criticized a lot for being active on social media and reading books all the time. I still have to face [criticism]. But eventually, criticism made me strong. I knew nothing about websites & all but I learned through social media step by step. Designed a website. Started blogging. For me, to be read by hundreds of people is the first step of my achievement. A lot more to come

PakistanGirlTable AdminJuly 29, 2018Pakistan

Anna

There's always this 'you're not safe when you're outside in the evening/at night' vibe - and with a reason. Every single girl that I know from my age, has experienced at least one bad experience with men. And we're young adults living in one of the safest countries in the world! I can't imagine what's it like in other countries that are called less safe.

NetherlandsGirlTable AdminJuly 28, 2018Netherlands

Jacqueline

Jacqueline

Feminists are the people that constantly remind me that as a woman, I can do anything and be whoever I want to be. My being a woman shouldn’t stop me from getting privileges I would like to have but I cannot have.

UgandaGirlTable AdminJuly 27, 2018Uganda

Ela

Many girls in Korea have plastic surgery when they are teenagers. It is also considered a graduation gift from parents. They also go on a diet even when they don't need it. The things we hear and say the most often is "I need to lose weight. I'm so fat". Most girls in my country are skinny and pretty. We are pressured to do something to change our appearances if we are not.

South KoreaGirlTable AdminJuly 26, 2018South Korea

Anu

Anu

There is gender inequality. Women are not treated fairly. Men are always believed to have the righter way. Parents are very protective over their daughters, they are very discouraging and close minded. They always expect us to do the right things when they are the ones who showcase bad behaviour. Boys get their freedom and are encouraged to pursue their passions whereas girls are pushed towards having a good education as well as focusing on marriage and childbirth.

Trinidad & TobagoGirlTable AdminJuly 25, 2018Trinidad & Tobago

Blessing

Blessing

We have been facing issues of having lower incomes and less job security than men and also women remained underrepresented in decision-making positions. We are very glad now that the campaigns have caused the authorities of Zimbabwe to increase efforts to ensure women's equal access to employment and decision-making positions.

ZimbabweGirlTable AdminJuly 24, 2018Zimbabwe

Stella

Stella

In my country, we've been at crossroads for years... Trying to decide whether to move forward or backwards, whether to make gender equity a reality or to stay in the dark ages. In my country, women are treated as less than they should be... Never looked upon to lead or be voted for. But called upon to support politicians who pay no attention to progressive women's rights. As a woman in Nigeria, I'm constantly told that gender inequality doesn't exist, yet there are things a woman is expected not to do. Everyday, women like me try to reconcile these words with reality.

NigeriaGirlTable AdminJuly 23, 2018Nigeria

Sayonee

Sayonee

I was molested because there were no lights in my alley. After the incident, I learnt that most of the women of my area faced the same. I took to social media and protested till the word went to the local MLA. After that, he promised to put lights in the alley. And now, my alley is well-lit.

IndiaGirlTable AdminJuly 23, 2018India

Zuleika

Zuleika

I look forward to a society where gender won't define any human, where women will be given a chance to prove all their capabilities because, what a man can do, a woman can do twice and better.

MalawiGirlTable AdminJuly 22, 2018Malawi

Imane

Imane

In general, inequality / harassment / the macho culture are the main problems here, but I'm so proud to see a lot of women who reached great things out of these challenges. I think Morocco's new generation of women are the real representation of 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger'.

MoroccoGirlTable AdminJuly 22, 2018Morocco

Ayisha

Ayisha

And to prove their point, I have been told several times that this job is not meant for girls as we are 'emotionally unstable'. Everyday I'm getting a step ahead to success, following my passion.

IndiaGirlTable AdminJuly 19, 2018India

Dinah

Dinah

Passion and and interest are the basic reason for Sisters Diary, which is a support system for women and girls in Ghana. It started in 2016 as just a birthday giveaway to a now not-for-profit organization. Supporting women brings fulfillment, messages like ‘thanks for believing in me, Dinah, you gave me hope to forge on and am grateful’ brings illumination to my world...

GhanaGirlTable AdminJuly 19, 2018Ghana

Maureen

Apparently, when a man sleeps around its totally fine... It even earns him some sort of praises. It's quite the opposite when a girl portrays this behavior. She gets dirty remarks and insults thrown her way. It's so unbearable yet stupid.. .two people committing the same act yet one looks cool at it while the other is disrespected!

TanzaniaGirlTable AdminJuly 19, 2018tanzania

Naa Achoi

Naa Achoi

And in my family when I start to feel equal, I am shut down by my father and constantly reminded that because of my gender, certain things are specially expected of me and when I dream, I am told it would take me nowhere in life.

GhanaGirlTable AdminJuly 18, 2018Ghana

Shruti

Shruti

To be a girl or woman today means to work shoulder to shoulder with men and maintain a class and a separate reputation of the women in a society, depicting that girls are no less than boys. A daughter is equal to ten sons and not tensions.

IndiaGirlTable AdminJuly 17, 2018India

Fiona

Fiona

I started selling shea butter, African black soap, coconut oil, cocoa butter and other products a year ago, while in university and I’m still there... I was doing this alone because African parents, especially in Ghana, only believe in education. I needed advice and I needed ideas but there was nobody. I needed exposure from people with a lot of followers on Instagram but most of them were asking for money which I didn’t have as a start up business, so I searched for companies on the internet, and wrote proposals. Some responded, others didn’t. Today, I only have 800 Instagram followers but I’m about to ship a 20ft container to China.

GhanaGirlTable AdminJuly 12, 2018Ghana

Sara

Sara

Where I live being a woman is typically about being a body, a beautiful one.
Being a woman means you'll never be enough intellectually to equal a man.
Being a woman means that you are not strong enough to stand for yourself.
Being a woman is being a baby machine.

MoroccoGirlTable AdminJuly 12, 2018Morocco