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I cannot believe a plane is about to embark me on a journey where I have always been told “don’t go” “it’s too risky” as a solo, young, woman, who does not speak the language. One of the countries I am about to visit is listed as one of the “most DANGEROUS countries” in the WORLD, a country one should avoid at all costs, especially as a WOMAN.
Anyone who has remotely met me knows I have an addiction and burning desire to do what I shouldn’t do. To do something crazy and dangerous, to find adrenaline in every way possible. I’m the type of person that meets someone and instantly wants to visit their country to know more about their story and how different their life is to mine.
My whole life I have dreamed of visiting this side of the world, especially alone, to prove to myself and to women all over that we are
powerful and fearless.
That no matter how threatened, abused, and harassed we have been, we will still walk out of the door and live our life with our head held high.
I spent sleepless nights wondering whether I should go, whether the opinions of those around me were right…
that I would be
completely
and
utterly
risking my life.
But somehow, the more I felt scared, the more I desired to go.
The truth about being a woman is that it is difficult everywhere, yes there are places where freedom and rights are even more restricted, but everywhere we go there is danger – even with the people we know, within our own house, in our university. There is a possibility for something threatening to happen anywhere. The constant looks on the street, the vulgar comments, the physical and psychological aggressions, the tiresome “normality” of being lusted over rather than viewed as a human being.
This is the reality we must confront – a world where women often gaslight themselves into believing mistreatment is acceptable and where fear holds them back from leaving or standing up for themselves.
No matter how it is disguised, women EVERYWHERE still navigate a “man’s world”.
I am determined to show everyone that this side of the world is not what the media deems it to be, that stereotypes and judgement of others are the DEATH of connection and love, the DEATH of humanity.
I am so proud of myself and how far I have come, over the past couple of years I have been so afraid of many things, and quite frankly I have been afraid of men to an extreme extent. This is something that has stopped me from doing the things I want, being the woman I know I am.
With this trip I know that no matter what happens, good or bad, I will be a stronger woman. I will be the woman I have been looking up to. The woman I want my future daughter to admire. A woman who does not tolerate anyone’s disrespect. A woman who lives her days with courage running through her blood. A woman who does not stay quiet. A woman in all that she is: feminine and soft yet bold and brave, graceful and sensitive yet adventurous and unbreakable, kind and sweet yet firm and powerful.
Fearless.
A woman.
Written by Daniela Trigilia
Author
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