Ep1: Being a Woman Through Native Voices

I want you to learn with me what being a woman means in different cultures, so I asked different women to answer this tough question, “What does being a woman mean to you?“ in their native languages. As for me, since I grew up, International Women’s Day is all about womanhood and the Power of a Woman. Tune in and enjoy! Since women replied in their native languages, I have added a translation for you below in English: 00:00 - Sakha Woman: To me, being a woman means doing everything a man can and even more, all while shedding blood. 00:25 - Intro 01:44 - Uzbek Woman: Being a modern Uzbek woman is difficult; unfortunately, due to distorted religious concepts, we live in hell. Reading the accounts of European travellers from the thirteenth century, you understand that the previous Uzbek women were freer. Now, we are required to be submissive, always perfect in everything; people don’t see us as individuals but as “Baby machines,“ as servants. 02:28 - British Woman 03:01 - Thai Woman: For me, I think what is meant to be a woman is being able to live happily and do our best for our roles. No matter what roles we are, daughters, sisters, mothers. As a woman, we should live happily, and we should share this happiness with people who surround us. 03:30 - Mongolian Woman: Because everyone has their own unique behaviour, body shape, and appearance, it seems that it is not suitable to set a fixed pattern. But biologically, being able to carry and give birth to a child in the womb is the most amazing thing. This is the biggest meaning of being a woman and being born as a woman. Others think that we should not have different responsibilities as men and women. 04:11 - Russian Woman: What does it mean for me to be a woman? It’s complicated. For me, being a woman means experiencing endless emotional pressure. Being a woman is a constant internal struggle against societal expectations imposed from the outside, trying not to let oneself be hurt emotionally. But sometimes, it also involves pushing back physically. So, for me, being a woman is difficult. Very difficult. 04:49 - Portuguese Woman: For me, being a woman means strength, courage, determination, resilience and acceptance. It’s having the power to choose and being grateful for all those who fought to make it happen. It’s about continuing to fight for my rights. It’s appreciated how strong I was to get where I am. It’s beautiful, it’s challenging, it’s audacious and it requires a lot of courage, being a woman. 05:20 - Khakas Woman: I believe that every woman’s life is challenging, so all women are very strong. For me, being a woman means loving my native land, the steppe, and the sun. Reading epics about heroic women and studying history. Drawing the past and the history of Khakass women. 05:46 - Chinese Woman: For me, being a woman means to keep growing and self-discovering. Growing up is a process of exploring myself, I can discover my strength, passions and goals, and how to realise my own values. Being a woman also refers to the possibility of building friendship and connections with other females. We can face challenges together, support and encourage each other to create a more inclusive and supportive society. 06:15 - Kalmyk Woman: I am already 65 years old, according to old customs, I can be considered a very elderly person. Among the Oirat Kalmyks, elderly women, grandmothers, were highly respected not only within their own families but also in society; people sought their advice, and their words carried weight. To make it clear to the younger generation - at my age, I am an elder. Elderly individuals, both women and men, were treated with equal respect; there was no distinction. It was believed that they could leave this world at any time. Therefore, the youth aspired to learn from the elderly about their experience of a long life while they were still alive. 07:00 - Altay Woman: I want to say that being a woman is incredibly challenging, but at the same time, I would hardly want to be born a man myself. I love sparkles, cosmetics, the diversity of clothing, especially because it is not condemned by society. I like that I am allowed to feel all the emotions that every person experiences. But I don’t like it when women are considered weak, judged when something happens, but it was not their own choice. Being a woman means being as strong as a mountain and as soft as a cloud at the same time. 07:46 - Kalmyk Woman in Russian: To be a woman means to be happy. Light, confident. Not afraid to be delicate, but at the same time strong, self-assured. Deep, understanding, and accepting Music references: 1. Qaynar & radif kashapov called Сәхибҗамал, Газиз һәм Фатыйх. 2. ⁠/Lose (Instrumental Version)/courtesy of: