Asociación del Nuevo Amanecer (ANADESA): Women can make the change

International Women's Day

What is the role of women in society and how Josefa Damian, Education Project Coordinator does it.

Today we see some women in political, religious, social and cultural spaces, women who raise their voices against the mediocrity that happens in our communities, however sometimes we do not support them for fear of being rejected or because we don't have academic crendentials.

My name is Josefa Damian Sosof, currently coordinator of the Women's Project in ANADESA and former president and legal representative of the same association.

Personally I am an independent woman, I have no formal academic background but practice and experience have made me a strong and brave woman; I know how to fight for myself and not depend on anyone.

But it was not as easy, as you can imagine.  Many times I was rejected for not being able to speak Spanish, I was rejected because of opinions and ideas, people took advantage of my position of power to victimize and deceive me. Many thanks to close friends, who guided me on legal issues about the operation of an association and how to lead a group of people (men or women).

I feel happy for having achieved what I have achieved, but I also remember those bad moments and I feel like going back in time to defend myself. But bad experiences are part of life to learn how to value lessons and to know the importance of academic preparation.

Now I guide my group of women who suffer some kind of exclusion or violence, women who suffer from the social problems of their children or their husbands, women who are trying to overcome physical and psychological violence. It is difficult to work with them because sometimes they want to justify the violence but little by little they are opening their eyes to see the reality, a reality where the voice of women in the family and in society is very important and valuable.

I encourage all women leaders to continue encouraging free, independent and courageous women. I also take this opportunity to thank all our allies for supporting the training and the creation of opportunities for vulnerable women.  I'd also like to inform them not to despair because the training results are slow compared to planting crops that are harvested in in two or three months.