The world is evolving, and just as robots are busy building future cars, it’s time for women to begin building their future as modern and autonomous members of society.
“Here’s to strong women, may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.” – Unknown
BEIRUT: The modern world is full of ironies.
Human beings have progressed to a point where it’s possible to video call across continents, clone animals, have robots do chores; yet, in many other aspects, it seems society is still living in the Stone Age.
Unmarried women above the age of 35 are pitied and labeled spinsters, women remain in abusive relationships because they don’t have a dime to their name, and women get assaulted daily all over the world and coerced into using their sexuality to get ahead professionally.
The #MeToo and #TimesUp movements have certainly already illustrated modern society’s failures.
Even more ironically, society still labels a strong independent woman as a “lonely woman.”
However, many strong women are happily married with children. Independence should no longer be synonymous with such a weak depiction of the modern woman.
The world is evolving, and just as robots are busy building future cars, it’s time for women to begin building their future as modern and autonomous members of society.
In the Middle East particularly, as “avant-garde” as we may believe we are, there are still many aspects of a woman’s life that are rarely discussed, for fear of ruffling some feathers amongst the traditionalists.
HAVING A PERSONAL BANK ACCOUNT
Being economically independent is liberating, to say the least.
The sad truth is that one day a man may insist on his wife abandoning her career to be fully devoted to their children, however, the next he might make her feel like a burden.
The hard truth is that a man simply can’t exploit a financially independent woman. No matter what anyone may say, it is a hard fact that a woman’s personal banking account gives her the leverage and respect she desires.
Life is uncertain, so if anything, it is a safety net for whatever life may throw at you.
OWNING REAL ESTATE
It is often said that a single woman who owns real estate may scare away potential suitors.
As wonderful as it may be to share a home with a future partner, there is no harm in having a personal real estate investment. It may not be feasible for many women in their 20s, but with time and smart saving choices, a woman can have enough to buy her own little piece of real estate in her 30s or 40s.
LEARNING SELF DEFENSE
The #MeToo movement that took the world by storm has shown how prevalent assault on a daily basis, no matter where one may live.
One may believe they live in the safest of neighborhoods, yet many women are abused and attacked every day in all parts of the world. Learning a few moves doesn’t hurt and will boost any woman’s self-confidence.
Kickboxing or a self-defense class may be a solid place to start.
A SEPARATE SOCIAL LIFE
Speaking of marriage, Gebran Khalil Gebran says:
“Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.”
It’s been clinically proven that in order to have a healthy relationship, you need to get a life.
Whether this involves spending time alone reading a book, or going out with friends once in a while, or maybe even going on a girl’s trip, this time apart fosters even more intimacy once the couple reunites.
Having time apart keeps freshness in the relationship. It encourages each person to maintain their own sense of identity while still being a couple, and it fosters independence and strength rather than neediness and clinginess.
The modern woman may indeed love to cook delicious traditional dishes for her family, clean her home, and take pride in raising her children with the utmost care.
However, nothing stops her from also having her very own savings account, a real estate investment, a group of close gal friends, all while being able to throw a mean punch.
—————————————–
Born Lebanese, raised in Canada, Dana Azzi has built an international Private Banking career in Paris, Geneva, London, New York, and Dubai. She recently returned to her home country to pursue her career as a senior private banker at Saradar Bank, as well as grow her blog among fellow Lebanese executives and entrepreneurs.
Azzi pens a blog called The Rebel Chronicles, with an aim to empower and inspire women through her own experience, advice, and her shared stories. The Rebel Chronicles offers career tips, as well as lifestyle advice for the modern executive woman.