Ayushi Patel is a QA Developer and an Instagram influencer. She pursued a Masters degree in Information, Network and Computer security. There’s a common myth out there in the misogynist streets that women cannot be solution-oriented, since their emotions would always lead them to focus on the problem.
Well, let’s see what Ayushi, an engineer whose job is to create solutions, has to say about that, as we ask her about sexism, how she deals with it, and her message to women on International Women’s Day.
Interview
Hello Ayushi! I’m happy to chat with you. I’ll first tell you a short story. An engineer and a developer’s job is to solve problems and make life easier. Most societies, however, are making life harder, especially for women. Have you ever been treated with sexism or discrimination at work?
Hello Ayushi! I’m happy to chat with you. I’ll first tell you a short story. An engineer and a developer’s job is to solve problems and make life easier. Most societies, however, are making life harder, especially for women. Have you ever been treated with sexism or discrimination at work?
However, growing up I’ve been listening to such sexist statements where women need to prove their capabilities again and again. Equality was never easy in society growing up and still is not – especially where society is mostly one gender dominant. Fortunately, I have been surrounded by such amazing Men, but I know it’s not easy for every woman out there. Men are just growing and glowing in every category out there while having the support from the entire society, where in most categories women are still struggling for equal recognition without being questioned.
How do you usually deal with such hate speech and sexism?
I believe that ‘Change begins with you’. So, I always speak up for woman empowerment when it’s needed. I support other women to grow in my best capacity. I believe that women anyway are more powerful to tackle the obstacles in the way. So if a woman decides to achieve something, all she has to do is have faith in herself and just focus on the hard work.
One sexist article I saw suggests that women can’t be “solution-oriented” and would always focus on the problem rather than finding a solution. As a problem solver yourself, how wrong is that statement?
I think the person who has said this has never seen a woman in action. For good or bad – society helps women a lot to be a multi-tasker from always. Mostly, Men get a clear path on whichever direction they want to go, whereas Women need to pass many obstacles for the same path if chosen. In earlier times, women were mostly behind the scenes, and so it was so easy for society to overlook their part in the play. And, now where Women are on the equal stage as Men – some are still not used to handle the facts.
Finally, since it’s International Women’s Day, what advice or message would you like to give to young girls who would like to take the same path you took?
I would say some lines from the article I wrote last woman’s day- ‘You are responsible to make every day a Woman’s day by allowing yourself to dream big, to work hard, and to be there for yourself because no one else is going to do that for you. You spend so much of your time focusing on what society wanted from you. But now it’s time to nurture yourself. To say yes to yourself, to give yourself permission to dream out loud and then do everything that you need to to achieve that dream.’
This woman’s day, let’s promise ourselves to be more, to do more, try to achieve more, be comfortable with ourselves more and try to become much more than just appearance.
This woman’s day, let’s promise ourselves to be more, to do more, try to achieve more, be comfortable with ourselves more and try to become much more than just appearance.
