I'VE recently started playing The Sims again.
Kids from the ‘90s will definitely understand what I’m talking about. The Sims is a life simulation game that allows you to create Sims, towns, homes, jobs and other establishments. You can basically control their lives and make sure they live a happy life—or a miserable life, if that’s what you like.
I feel like my playing The Sims is a bit therapeutic—considering how crazy real life has been (these past few days, months, years).
If you can’t have a traffic-free, pollution-free, hazard-free, Covid-19-free and discrimination-free life in the real world, might as well just create your own little world online.
I’m up to 13 Sims now in my little town with a couple of houses and some pretty cool jobs running. Two of my Sims are musicians. One is running to be a politician; another is working his way up to be a film director. My two other Sims are working in a science laboratory, and one of my momma Sims is a firefighter.
I’ve taken extra joy in making sure that my female Sims take on pretty important jobs. I discovered it was important for me that my female Sims become firefighters, lead laboratory researchers, politicians, stellar athletes, and strong politicians. I liked knowing that strong independent women were running the town.
It’s always been important to me that women take on important roles and jobs. I find having the right representation in jobs is important. When I see politicians like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, I wish to be like her when I grow up.
Equal opportunity and gender equality are very important to me—especially coming from a household and local culture where I was often told that some of the things I did and wanted to do were things “girls shouldn’t do.” (Quote: “Kababae nimo. Ayaw ana.”)
It’s 2020, and while the gender equality and equal opportunity movement have taken such strong grounds, we still find our moments of struggle.
Today we begin the celebration of Women’s Month in the country. And as we celebrate each woman who takes so many important jobs both inside and outside of the household, let’s celebrate and bring into the spotlight the importance of equality.
On March 8, International Women’s Day, we celebrate the #EachForEqual campaign. Let’s begin to challenge stereotypes and fight biases. On Women’s Month, let’s celebrate women’s achievements and improve the situations we find ourselves in.
Happy Women’s Month. Let’s continue to rise up!