This goes out to all the women on #InternationalWomensDay
I'm lucky enough to know some incredible women, whose strength is unparalleled. I'm also proud, honoured and privileged to say that some of those women are my family.
A lot people think coming from a Greek Cypriot background, the women in my family are put upon, living in a patriarchal society and we haven't progressed since Victorian times. This perception is only 90% true.
Greek men won't do the cooking, cleaning or washing. Many of them won't even train as nurses. They do man's work, with tools and lifting. However, even though the women are responsible for the running of the household and childcare, it's also the women who rule the roost.
The men are basically bossed around and have no idea what's going on from one day to the next. The mothers, aunts, sisters and cousins are always there to wipe your tears, tell you to pull yourself together and fight like lionesses for you.
As the mum in My Big Fat Greek Wedding said, 'Men might be the head, but women are the neck and have the ability to turn the head'.
Not only are they your counsel, your nurse, your cook, your cleaner, your best friend and your moral conscience, they work for a living. My mother and aunts didn't get maternity leave... In fact, I don't remember them having any sick days, they worked. My mum has been working since she was 12 years old and she hasn't stopped. She worked until she gave birth and went back to work afterwards.
My grandmother ran a household, bought up five incredible daughters, managed a small farm, took care of her elderly mother, enjoyed a happy marriage, ran from war, lost her home and had to begin again from scratch.
Women's strength shouldn't just be admired during these extraordinary circumstances. There are women who endure a lot worse. We also need to celebrate the women who simply juggle family, work and life... I say simply, pah! And the women go through all kinds of hardship with a smile on their face, always supporting everyone else - dusting themselves off and carrying on.
In Cyprus, whenever a baby girl is born, everyone congratulates the parents with a 'daughters are a blessing' and they are. They believe it's the daughters who take care of the parents and look after business. It's a shame people further East don't see it like that. One day, I hope everyone will see what I see - women are incredible.
First published 08/03/2015
A lot people think coming from a Greek Cypriot background, the women in my family are put upon, living in a patriarchal society and we haven't progressed since Victorian times. This perception is only 90% true.
Greek men won't do the cooking, cleaning or washing. Many of them won't even train as nurses. They do man's work, with tools and lifting. However, even though the women are responsible for the running of the household and childcare, it's also the women who rule the roost.
The men are basically bossed around and have no idea what's going on from one day to the next. The mothers, aunts, sisters and cousins are always there to wipe your tears, tell you to pull yourself together and fight like lionesses for you.
As the mum in My Big Fat Greek Wedding said, 'Men might be the head, but women are the neck and have the ability to turn the head'.
Not only are they your counsel, your nurse, your cook, your cleaner, your best friend and your moral conscience, they work for a living. My mother and aunts didn't get maternity leave... In fact, I don't remember them having any sick days, they worked. My mum has been working since she was 12 years old and she hasn't stopped. She worked until she gave birth and went back to work afterwards.
My grandmother ran a household, bought up five incredible daughters, managed a small farm, took care of her elderly mother, enjoyed a happy marriage, ran from war, lost her home and had to begin again from scratch.
Women's strength shouldn't just be admired during these extraordinary circumstances. There are women who endure a lot worse. We also need to celebrate the women who simply juggle family, work and life... I say simply, pah! And the women go through all kinds of hardship with a smile on their face, always supporting everyone else - dusting themselves off and carrying on.
In Cyprus, whenever a baby girl is born, everyone congratulates the parents with a 'daughters are a blessing' and they are. They believe it's the daughters who take care of the parents and look after business. It's a shame people further East don't see it like that. One day, I hope everyone will see what I see - women are incredible.
First published 08/03/2015
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