by Susana Garcia

Feminism stands for the fight for equity and equality of opportunities, rights and duties. In Costa Rica, only fourteen of the eighty-two cantons have a woman Mayor. Women have 25% less access to work than men, and receive salaries below those of their peers with similar skills and responsibilities.Women leaders have long been described as witches, bosses, tomboys or madmen, for wanting a more inclusive world, without street harassment, and intrafamily violence. Many have prevailed in professional careers in areas such as science and technology, others have found glass ceilings, which has not allowed them to assume managerial positions for those who are more than prepared. The time has come to change!

All change begins with oneself, so we must listen to ourselves and not be silent. So powerful is the word when it is true and what we have to do is to share our daily reality. The social problem is not women, nor their minds, but some currents of thought that try to subject women to an archaic role. Therefore, I also invite men to open their minds and support gender equality.

Recently LAB-Lideresas was held, given in San José, under the Factory of Stories that had the support of UNICEF, the US Embassy and the office of Vice President of the Government of the Republic. In this workshop, I discovered "sorority," an alliance that promotes solidarity among women, which affirms that unity is strength, and that our brotherhood makes us shine with more intensity.

Also, in our participation in the Women Connecting Summit, we confirmed that although it may seem so, we are not alone. By opening our hearts we will find allies, who will fight with us for a future in equality. If in deep reflection, we manage to identify our purpose in life, we will understand that the word "impossible" should not be in the personal dictionary. Because together we can do more and nothing or no one can stop us!