A Woman entrepreneur's journey despite stereotypes

In 2024, I continue to share my professional journey, focusing on bringing African stories and female representation to the forefront.

This journey has not only been about business but also about fulfilling a mission that requires extensive travel and deep engagement with communities.

Today, I feel compelled to address a situation that underscores the slow pace of change in societal attitudes towards working mothers, emphasizing the legacy I hope to leave, particularly for my daughter, and the importance of empowering the next generation by speaking out.

It’s surprising and disheartening, especially in 2024, to hear advice, particularly from other women, suggesting I should “slow down” and “think about my kids.”

This advice, while possibly well-intentioned, echoes stereotypes we’ve been striving to overcome. It perpetuates a narrow view of a woman’s capabilities and responsibilities, confining our roles to the domestic sphere and suggesting our professional ambitions are secondary or detrimental to our familial duties.

My daughter and son, aged 18 and 15, are integral to why I do what I do.

They see their mother as someone fiercely dedicated to her beliefs, challenging the status quo, and tirelessly working towards creating a better world. Their pride and support reflect the balanced life we’ve built together, countering the notion that a woman must choose between her career and her children. This outdated view undermines a woman’s ability to make informed decisions about her life and work, perpetuating a double standard rarely applied to men.

In aiming to leave a legacy for my children, I want to embody the values of resilience, empowerment, and the courage to speak out against injustices. It’s essential for them to see their mother not only as a caregiver but as a trailblazer who contributes meaningfully to society and fights for a fairer world. By doing so, I hope to inspire not just my daughter but also the next generation to challenge stereotypes, pursue their ambitions, and support one another in a more equitable society.

We are in 2024, yet we still grapple with outdated prejudices about women’s roles. It’s time to challenge these notions and support one another in the multifaceted roles we occupy.

Being a mother and an entrepreneur are not mutually exclusive; they are complementary parts of who I am. My commitment to my family and my work is unwavering.We must redefine success, recognizing that each woman’s balance is unique to her circumstances and choices. Let’s encourage and uplift, not judge or undermine. Progress is measured by our ability to respect and support diverse pathways to fulfillment and achievement.

To the women who’ve shared their concerns: I hear you.

But it’s 2024, and I urge us to consider the broader implications of our words and to foster a culture that champions women’s autonomy, ambitions, and complex identities.

We are in 2024 – it’s time for these outdated perspectives to change. Together, we can build a more inclusive, understanding, and equitable world.

#womeninbusiness #entrepreneurship #womenempowerment #genderequality  #worklifeBalance #femaleleadership #motherhoodandcareer  #diversityandinclusion  #Inclusion #breakingstereotypes    #empoweringwomen #leadership  #africanstories #nextgenleaders #changemakers #diaspora #marocaine #2024