The first episode of “Women in peace” was aired on our Facebook page, website, and youtube channel of Center for Women and Development (CWD) on March 30, 2022, featuring the topic “Which deadline is the right one to meet?”

 Please listen to the podcast here: https://www.facebook.com/CWD.VN/videos/737127477729327

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On women’s development path, they frequently face difficulties and hindrances that make them lose confidence in themselves. Many people carry pressure about their age, about the time limits that society creates, that is often present in popular sayings for women such as:

 You’re 22 already, have you got yourself a boyfriend?

You’re 24, it is about time to apply for a fine job

“25-28 years old is the favorable period of time for you to get married, hurry up and do it!”

30 and still on your own? I’m pretty sure you will be “on the shelf” at this rate!”

When do you plan to have children? You’re married and 30 years old, you know that?

Why would you start a business in your forties?

 We can't confirm yet whether these deadlines are completely good or bad. Some people find them appropriate when these deadlines fit right with their development path. Some people don't need to resist them completely, others choose to regard those terms as "references". However, many women suffer from negative impacts that deadlines of life create such as low self-esteem, not daring to pursue life's ambitions; always tormenting themselves about not getting married on time; the fact that they must achieve remarkable results at certain ages as expected by society and thus affects the morale of women. They have to perform things they are not into, which gradually forms obsession and pressure every time they reach a milestone.

 Living in a society that always fixates a stereotype for women, it is hardly avoidable for women to be criticized for being selfish when it comes to prioritizing careers; creating barriers for women's creativity and dedication; limiting their role in social development and this is also one of the bases for gender-based discrimination.

 If you still feel like you can't get over your worries about social milestones, try asking yourself these questions: Does that deadline make me happier? Do I have enough knowledge, psychological and physical health to perform those things? When you're not ready, there isn’t any appropriate pre-determined term.

The question is not sooner or later?

The question for you is what do you need to prepare to confidently operate your own development program?

• Do you expect to study abroad? Then it is necessary to spend time learning a foreign language and gain information about the institution you want to enroll in.
• Do you expect to start a business? Let’s start with fundamental business lessons, put your ideas in writing and try to establish as many relationships as possible…
• Do you wish to become a dancer? Let’s start with stretching exercises and remember to be patient with your body…
• Do you want to take care of your lovely family? Learn how to observe and react to the feelings of love, as knowing how to love yourself is the key factor of touching a person’s heart.
• Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all format for happiness. You must be courageous to say no to the deadline set by others, thereby creating yourself the best experience with your self-designed life plan.

Stay tuned for more podcast episodes of CWD, and don’t forget that you can suggest the content you want to listen to at our Fanpage https://www.facebook.com/CWD.VN and www.cwd.vn.