Now or Never: #BalanceForBetter

A balanced world is a better world.

How can you help forge a more gender-balanced world?

This International Women’s Day #BalanceforBetter, as a gender activist and a firm feminist. I can't help contradicting celebrating women once a year. I mean, what happens during the other 364 days? 

Do we continue living in a "MAN'S" world until March 8th rolls around when it's acceptable again to go through the day celebrating our advancement as "EQUALS" and spam social media with posts of consolation and sisterhood?

Declaring one day to shed insight into an issue of this magnitude, which influences a more prominent populace (regardless of gender, race, age, religion, status, foundation, political standing) does not feel like advancement. 
We 'remember' these adherence, when uniformity should be a way of life? 
A way of life grounded in human intuition, in daily subconscious and routine, in corporate and conservative decisions, in educational systems, in political issues and in basic common sense. 
A way of life that ought to be agreed upon, taught by, learned from, and represented by men, women, and children.

Many individuals expect Feminism to be boy slamming, yet that is simply not it.

Women's liberation isn't closing off one side of the two parties. It's consolidating both. We want equal rights/regard on both sides.

The meaning of Feminism says everything: 
"the advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the fairness of the sexes."

Women are slut shamed. For what reason is this?

For what reason are women not permitted to have positive sex talk without being marked?

For what reason are men extolled for sleeping around but women are told it's despicable?
For what reason are women's worth measured by the neckline of her blouse or height of her heels?
Heels of a certain height or skirts of a certain length denote that the wearer must be promiscuous?

Both men and women ought to live their lives without a consistent go of judgment.

May I add, having something to say doesn't mean we have an awful frame of mind.

I believe the best way to bring about equality is in how we act in our everyday lives and how we treat each other.

It doesn't need to be an administration law encroached on us. It's what we begin authorizing on one another at this moment. We ought to educate our peers with the goal that everybody feels enabled enough to realize the distinction between respect and discrimination. We have to begin tuning into one another. 

Women, we are not characterized by our encounters. 

We are more than that.

For all the women still hanging tight to be heard, let us be your voice. We're all in it together. We aren't apprehensive.

I believe the future is female. I long for the day when bigotry and twofold principles are never heard of again. We are more than our bodies and faces. We are this generation's power. We are human.

If you take away anything from today’s piece I hope it’s this:

• A balanced world is a better world.
• The rise of women is not the fall of men.
•  Everyone can play a role in forging gender parity
• Gender balance is not a women’s issue, it’s an economics issue.
•  Advocacy, inclusive mindsets and tangible action are needed from all.

And, women can be numerous things!!!

They can be serious, delicate, ground-breaking, sexual, elegant, flippant, anything they desire, wild, free, ferocious, gentle, hard, divine, contemptuous, lively and distinctive all at the same time. 

#InternationalWomensDay , a day of celebration for our identity and how far we've come. A day to look back on all that has changed and how powerful we can be when stand together, rather than against. This journey has been long and challenging, and here are a few reasons why. Each stage gave an essential concentration in forging the gender agenda further along.

•  Activism: In the late 1800's and mid 1900's, women activists fought hard for balance. The attention was to a great extent on securing the right to cast a ballot and equal pay for equal work. These two issues - women's voice and participation in government, and the gender pay gap - stay key priorities over a century later.

•  Feminism: Fast-forward to the 1970's and far reaching women's activist activity saw women rallying, challenging and campaigning hard for inclusion, influence and equality.

• Fix the women: The 1980's saw a variety of "Fix the Women" programs that were good natured in attempting to enable women to become more confident, visible, well networked and assertive - yet many strengthened a thought that women needed to "act like men" and "fit" into existing male centric structures and associations if they somehow happened to succeed (all while as yet being a superwoman in the home). Shoulder braces, power suits, high heels and a boisterous voice were in style.

• Change the organization: The 1990's and Noughties focused on authoritative advancement: "Maybe if we change or fix the organizational structures, women will thrive?" So areas like the focus on women in the boardroom escalated, as did more diverse recruiting, inclusive talent pipelines, and attention to wider diversity groups beyond gender such as race, LGBT+ and so forth. The introduction of "Top Company" and "Top Women" style lists occurred and as they increased in popularity, the number of new lists launched each year increased exponentially.  The number of women's conferences and networks also increased significantly - and continue to play an important and necessary role across all countries. The volume of gender-related research also increased - new insight, new terms and understandings, new phrases, measurement of the extent of problems or success; hard facts and numbers.

•  Men as allies: In later years, men as advocates and champions of progress have been recognized as playing a key part in accelerating women’s equity. Numerous dynamic CEOs and compelling pioneers have committed by means of formal public channels to helping build diverse and comprehensive associations that challenge stereotypes and predisposition.

•  The world expects balance: And so here we are - 2020 is on the near horizon. Movements like #MeToo, #HeForShe, #TimesUp and the significant global rise in International Women's Day movement in every corner of the world - alongside the numerous female-centered days and initiatives around the globe - mean gender is solidly on the agenda!

When we stand up, rather than take a seat. When we stand for ourselves, as opposed to giving the world a chance to choose our destiny.

Today does not only signify success, today also is a reminder that every one of us – every color and race and sexual identity and confidence and stance – must continue fighting.

We will be women – BOLD – today and and everyday.

From Zimbabwe to Kuala Lumpur.

There is more to university life, than just acquiring a 
degree or diploma. This is one of the places you get to 
introduce yourself to the world independently and allow 
yourself to be whoever you want to be.

Hey there….

I’m Mitchell Tendai Kangausaru, born and bred in Zimbabwe’s capital city, 

Harare also referred to as Sunshine City of Southern Africa. My life has been

nothing other than the normal life of any other student. Education was taken 

as a very serious thing as evidenced by the constant pressure we got from both 

our parents and teachers to aim higher than our peers. Flying colors always 

meant special privileges and it was always something to look forward to. That 

kind of competitive society encouraged me to always push harder to go above 

and beyond which explains why today I’m majoring in something I have always 

wanted as a young kid, ENGINEERING. I’m undertaking my second year in 

B.Eng. (Hons) in Chemical Engineering at UCSI University. Engineering is the 

ultimate field for challenges and creativity, you learn skills you can apply

anywhere, not forgetting the great rewards and opportunities.

Moving to Malaysia.

When I first moved here, I was mesmerized by the beauty Kuala Lumpur has to 
offer. Coming all the way from Zimbabwe to study abroad in a country I had never 
visited before was quite daunting. I mean, I would be in a place where I wouldn’t 
know anyone, surrounded by diverse races. At first I would get anxiety, but this was 
set to be my life for the next four years. Now as a student at UCSI University I am 
happy and grateful I decided to study here. However, a few ups and downs can’t afford to 
disrupt or detract your study abroad experience. There are always ways to mitigate some snags:

Homesickness.
Getting lost.
Staying motivated to attend classes.
Time zone annoyances.
Running low on cash.
Feeling like an outsider. 

Language or cross cultural barriers.

 Not wanting to leave

What I love about being at UCSI.

Well, who would not be anxious about their experience in university? But trust me the feeling 
will transform into the best experiences with time. UCSI has made me understand that home 
is not just a place. It’s a blessing to call UCSI home and it’s honestly safe to say I cannot get 
enough of Kuala Lumpur. Though it took me a while to adapt to the environment and all. 
Whatever your experience and no matter what ups and downs there may be, university will 
definitely shape you as a person and set you up for the big wide world. If you set your mind to 
it, you really can achieve anything!