When I was younger, I would often hear people say, “She looks at life through rose-tinted glasses.” I could not tell exactly if that phrase had a positive or negative meaning. Still, my perspective on the world changed significantly since hearing those words.
I was 16 years old when I realized that not every girl is as fortunate as I was to feel safe at home. That summer, the media was full of news about a tragic case of three sisters of my generation killing their abusive father. This helped me comprehend the magnitude of the issues girls and women in my country and around the world are facing. After that, I decided to contribute to the adoption of the Domestic Violence Bill in Russia. I wanted to find out more about the feminist movement fighting against gender discrimination. That is why I began to research the social roots of feminist waves throughout history and presented that research at the local school scientific conference.
Although my research gave me theoretical knowledge, I still wasn’t sure if my actions could change the real world. I needed support to take action.
That support came in the form of Women Deliver, an international organization that champions the health and rights of girls and women. After being accepted into their Young Leaders program, I got into a diverse community of passionate advocates. There, the most important thing I learned was to never doubt yourself, even if the people around you do. I realized this was the reason why I was hesitant to take action, as I was afraid someone around would disapprove of me or say unkind things. But the work and enthusiasm of the members have inspired me to get closer to my own dream.
Looking back, I think that seeing through rose-tinted glasses is the same thing as dreaming. But it’s not just about being a dreamer—it’s about dreaming with the inner confidence that you can change the world. I dream of a world where each girl and woman feels safe and supported by society and knows that her voice is heard. Some people would say it is naive, but now I am proudly wearing my rose-tinted glasses.