contributing to the economic future
of their community.
Marisa Belausteguigoitia, Professor
at the National Autonomous
University of Mexico, expert on
gender, critical theory and cultural
critique perspectives, was facilitator
of the forum at Alliance Francaise.
Belausteguigoitia, who currently
holds the prestigious Andrés Bello
Chair at New York University,
participated in the forum at the
invitation and facilitation of the
Embassy of Mexico, a partner in the
event.
After frank discussions on
women’s issues that followed the
documentary, she told me that
while the movie was heartbreaking
to watch, it nevertheless speaks
about the difficulties and obstacles
women face as it relates to their
bodies: the secrets, the stories they
were told, and their relationships
with men that often come with a
sense of absence and numbness.
The movie, she added, proves that
when women come together they
can empower each other, build
things and become entrepreneurs.
(In fact, one of the female
characters in the movie was so
empowered by the “Pad Project”
that she went after her dream
of becoming a police officer in
the city just so she could prevent
being forced into marriage by her
parents.)
Belausteguigoitia said women the
world over have to contend with
unwittingly being placed in gender
jails, where they are often made to
feel ashamed about the very things
that make them women.
“For example, whenever a woman
has her period, she feels a sense of
shame,” she tells me. “For men, the
prison is often the toxic masculinity
they demonstrate which forces
them to rewire so that they can
better relate to women.”
She believes that real change
will be realized when people can
articulate the jails women face in
different social classes, ethnicities
and sexualities, recognizing that
sexuality is a major issue in Saint
Lucia that needs to be addressed.
24 SL-YOU | Business, People & Lifestyle
Recently, the #MeToo movement
has become a formidable
microphone that has amplified
women who have mustered the
courage to speak out against
sexual harassment. Since the fall
of notable names such as Harvey
Weinstein, Bill Cosby, Matt Lauer,
Kevin Spacey et al, more women
have become empowered to
reveal past dirty secrets about men
who were revered public figures.
Belausteguigoitia noted that the
voice these women have now
found will continue to bring about
the necessary change.
“I think the #MeToo movement is
necessary because the experiences
women face break my heart in
many ways,” she stated. “Women
have been trying to tell their
stories; however, many of them
were silenced. So it’s always the
powerful women who dares to
break the ice.”
She added that women from poor
countries are increasingly becoming
the outstanding figures and leaders
and champions for millions of
women who still feel ashamed
www.slyoumag.com | July-August 2019