I Am Woman

Woman of Substance by Octavio Ocampo

Hi dear readers! I’m sharing to you my winning piece from the 2015 Iligan City Gender and Development Essay-writing Contest. Enjoy reading!

I am woman.

I create. The life I live has always been dedicated to building lives not only for my own sake but for the growth of others. I am a mother to the world because of this very nature. I care and nurture till I draw my last breath. I build homes with hands of compassion and make sure that all members of my family are fed with every bit of love I have in me. My happiness lies in the image of them advancing further to their successes even if it means me being left behind. This is because nothing makes me prouder than seeing what I’ve created and nurtured attain the best out of life.

I am woman.

I strive. I’ve faced a lot of battles. I’ve been hurt, belittled, and constantly judged mostly because society thinks I am just a woman. I’ve been told “no” so many times, but I will not give up. I may be gentle and I may cry, but I am not weak. No, my being a woman does not automatically make me inferior. In fact, I believe that I am one of the strongest beings in this world. I’ve faced the unimaginable pains of giving birth, I work hard just like man does, and I’ve fought my way through achieving and possessing the skills and knowledge that could make this world a better place. I’ve moved from just staying at home and serving to going out to the world and leading. I am a warrior.

I am woman.

I crumble. I get scared. I break down. But, I can pick up the pieces and make myself stronger. I don’t always need a man or anyone else to depend on and tell me I can or I can’t because I know. I know what I should do, what I should be, and all the ways I can do things. I may fail but I’ll stand up again and be better. I may not be accepted by society because of the ways I stray away from what they think I should only do and should only be. But, this will not stop me from showing them that I am not less of a person. I will wear what I want and this does not entitle man to show me disrespect. I will voice out my thoughts and this does not give society the right to shut me up just because I am a woman. I will go where I want to go, learn, and explore and this does not give the rest of the power to stop me because they believe I should just stay at home. I am woman and I am entitled to choices – choices that shall rebuild society’s broken views of my nature and choices that shall make me progress toward betterment.

I am woman.

I am more than just that. I am more than just my form. The complexities I go through in life and my ability to deal with them make up my substance. I am a person of many things. I am not less and nothing and nobody can hinder me from becoming more.

I am woman.