How to become a better woman
Being a young woman in today's world is a paradox—it’s both empowering and challenging. On one hand, opportunities for women have expanded like never before, with many breaking barriers in leadership, business, tech, and various fields. On the other hand, gender biases, societal expectations, and deeply ingrained stereotypes still exist, often limiting how far young women believe they can go.
The reality? You are not defined by the limits society places on you. You are capable of great things. Here’s why:
1. You Don’t Have to Limit Yourself—You Can Do Great Things
The world may try to put labels on what a young woman should do, but you don’t have to fit into those boxes. The greatest female trailblazers refused to be confined by limitations.
Take Malala Yousafzai, for instance. Growing up in Pakistan, she was told that girls shouldn’t pursue education. But instead of accepting that fate, she stood up for her right to learn, surviving an assassination attempt by the Taliban and going on to become the youngest Nobel Prize laureate.
Closer to home, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, one of Nigeria’s most renowned authors, defied the stereotype that literature is a man’s world. Today, her books, such as We Should All Be Feminists, inspire millions globally.
The lesson? No one should tell you what you can’t do. You have the power to define your own path.
2. Your Gender Is Not a Reason to Be Less—Aim for More, and You’ll Get It
There’s an outdated notion that being a woman means settling for less—less pay, fewer leadership roles, and lower expectations. But history proves otherwise. Women who have refused to accept less have shattered ceilings.
Take Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and first African to serve as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). She didn't let gender bias stop her from reaching the top of global finance and economics.
You, too, can break limits in whatever field you choose—whether it’s tech, law, business, media, or any other industry. The key is to aim for more. If you believe you belong at the top, work towards it and take up space.
3. Don’t Let Anyone Make You Stop Pursuing Your Dreams—You Too Can Achieve It
Many young women give up on their dreams because of societal pressures—pressure to settle down early, pressure to “tone down” their ambitions, pressure to conform. But success stories exist to remind us that those who persist despite obstacles make it.
For instance, Serena Williams faced gender discrimination in sports but still became one of the greatest tennis players of all time. In the corporate world, Ibukun Awosika, a Nigerian businesswoman, defied expectations to become the first female Chairperson of First Bank Nigeria.
The road to success may not be easy, but the most important thing is to keep going. If you have a dream, pursue it relentlessly. The only person who can truly stop you is you.
4. Be an Inspiration to Other Women Out There
Every time a woman succeeds, she becomes proof that another woman can do it too. Your journey isn’t just about you—it’s about the young girls watching, the women who need to see someone like them winning.
Imagine if women like Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, or Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti had given up. Imagine if they thought, “Maybe I’m not enough.” Their stories wouldn’t have shaped millions of lives.
You don’t have to be famous to inspire others. By simply standing firm in your ambitions, refusing to be silenced, and helping other women rise, you become a force for change.
Final Thoughts
Being a young woman in today’s world is both a privilege and a battle. The world will try to tell you what you can or cannot do, but your voice, your dreams, and your determination are stronger than any limitations placed on you.
So, dream big. Break barriers. And most importantly, be the woman who inspires others to believe that they, too, can do great things.
