Fernandez, Nancy

BA Psychology

“Women can”: A reflection on the visit of Her Excellency, President Michelle Bachelet

Introduction

It has been a long-struggle for women to be socially accepted in the world. History has told us of the many difficulties that women endured in order for them to finally experience the amount of respect and rights that they do deserve.

But it’s still a long way to go before we, women, would be finally equal with men. As some countries still continue with the Patriarchal system and the oppression of women, there is still hope since most countries are currently informed of the rights of women and also of its constant awareness to pass the many laws that can help the women live a peaceful life.

Finding out that a president of another country is visiting the school is a surprise that came to me. But I didn’t see its importance. So I made a basic research about Miss Bachelet.

And boy, I was surprised at what I found out.

Walk the Talk: Brief information about Michelle Bachelet

She’s an advocate for Gender Equality. She was also the first Executive Director for UN Women, an organization where it catered to the response of the United Nations in its struggle for Gender Equality among cultures.

Despite being tortured and being exiled from her country, Bachelet continues to ensure the progress of her country; from becoming a Minister of Health to Minister of Defense (5 th women in the world to hold that position), Bachelet continues to prove that women can hold National positions responsibly.

Upon her ascent as the President of Chile, she immediately finalized her cabinet; a surprising equal number of men and women, which was what she mentioned during her campaign for the Presidency. Requiring Political Parties in Chile to have at least 40% of the whole Parliament to be women candidates is a feat, and would be a clear indication that she wants women to be at the forefront of change in her country. In addition to this, she is the first President in Chile to have won the elections for a second time. Despite all these, she continues to promote Gender equality wherever she goes.

“It’s not enough to be seated at the table of discussion, I want to decide the shape of the table where I’m gonna be sitting at; and I think it’s a real difference, isn’t it?” (Bachelet 2015).

Fast forward to the day of her visit, I wasn’t surprised when she shared her life to the people that were present (myself and a few Psychology students included) and I was enraptured by how passionate she shared of her experiences as an Executive Director for UN Women, as a Minister of Health and Defense and as the President of a country. She also was actually witty, and light in disclosing her experiences of being a Women leader and an advocate of Gender Equality.

Bachelet commended the Philippines for placing 9th in the WEF Gender Equality ranking. She noted that this is a testament of the Philippines’s continuous ways to promote Gender Equality.

The battle may be over, but we haven’t won the war: Personal thoughts about the visit

I was honestly in awe with how she delivered her speech - or rather her tale of her journey to the Presidency. I admired her as to how willing she was to answer the Youth’s questions - even the ones that were about love. She’s an enigma, an inspiration to the women out there that women can do things (if not more) that what men would usually do.

Despite the fact that we are ranked 9th in the World for the Gender Equality ranking, I personally know that it isn’t over yet. We still have laws that weren’t passed that may be beneficial for women.

I believe that if we were to fully achieve Gender Equality, we must first properly acknowledge that women can. That women can hold a National position; that women can be trusted into things like holding the money in the bank, among others.

What Bachelet did (the mandatory policy of putting at least 40% of the Parliament with Women) is a feat and I personally hope that our leaders would see the need to entrust as many National positions as possible.

Moran (n.d.) stated in her study that the moment women are generally accepted as leaders would be the moment “men will change their leadership styles” (Burns, 1978).

I dream of the moment where women are now regarded with the same respect that men would usually get. I dream of a society where women do not have to forcefully conform themselves by instilling dress codes wherever they go, wearing what they think wouldn’t get them attracted to trouble, and educate everyone (regardless of gender) that sexually harassing someone (be it male or female, or any other gender out there) is morally incorrect. I dream of the world becoming a safe haven for everyone; no wars going on because of religion; no discrimination happening just because you’re lesbian or gay.

I know this is a utopian dream but honestly, I just want a society where it’s inclusive and innovative.

Call me crazy, but I dream for the moment where individuals will be looked and respected for what their capabilities are, and not because of their gender.

BibliographyMoran, B. B. (n.d.). Gender Differences in Leadership. Retrieved November 18, 2015, from Ideals: https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/7791/librarytrendsv40i3h_opt.pdf?sequence=1

Michelle Bachelet Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2015, from Bio: http://www.biography.com/people/michelle-bachelet-37782#synopsis

PH ranks 9th in WEF gender-equality ranking. (2014, October 29). Retrieved November 18, 2015, from Manila Bulletin: http://www.mb.com.ph/ph-ranks-9th-in-wef-gender-quality-ranking/