By: Marisa Sanchez
The “women supporting women” movement, at its core, advocates for solidarity and mutual empowerment among women. It’s about uplifting each other, celebrating achievements, and creating a supportive network that tackles gender-based challenges collectively.
When women support each other’s ambitions and goals, they break down barriers and stereotypes, paving the way for a more equitable society. It translates to increased female representation in various sectors, leading to diverse perspectives and decision-making.
Madrid-based Mozambican entrepreneur Manisha Pratapsinh witnessed how this movement can change women’s lives for the better. Throughout her career, Manisha has always dared to defy stereotypes, particularly gender-based ones. She established herself as a specialist in civil construction machinery and was always driven by her passion and determination to get the job done.
However, her recent business venture thrust Manisha into a different position and industry–Mozambique’s transportation sector. She opened a bus company to provide Mozambicans with quality service, enabling them to access various parts of the country effortlessly.
“The idea originated through a phone call between my partners and me, stemming from the lack of provision of these services,” she said.
Yet, as eager as Manisha is to make the lives of her fellow Mozambicans easy, she still worries about what society might say about her establishing a foundation in a male-dominated industry.
“For a long time, I hid my business side out of fear of what people might say and judge me since it’s an area dominated by men,” the entrepreneur said. Eventually, she met a group of equally strong and capable women who encouraged her to step into the limelight and talk about her ventures as an entrepreneur.
Empowered by other women who know the struggle, Manisha holds her head high as she navigates through Mozambique’s transportation industry, even though she still faces some discrimination along the way.
“The major difficulty I had and still face is always having to prove that we are capable of making significant decisions, considering that women are considered the weaker sex,” she said.
Nonetheless, Manisha believes that women can reach their goals, whether simple or lofty. And even if society still has a long way to go before embracing gender equality, the Mozambican native inspires women to continue fighting for a place in society.
Besides helping women find their voices and places in society, Manisha advocates for diversity and inclusivity. She aspires to spread the message that one’s origin, ethnicity, or physical appearance should never be snags to achieving one’s goals and embracing success.
“I demonstrate in practice that, regardless of gender, age, and social status, anything is possible with focus and determination. This is my life philosophy; I carry this principle into my daily life, and it helps me overcome adversity,” she said proudly.
Manisha’s success and story through her private bus company in Mozambique have become significant parts of society and women’s empowerment as she joins the ever-growing list of strong, capable women sharing their abilities to foster growth and development across the globe by lifting each other to become the best versions of themselves.
The narrative of women supporting women is not just a slogan but a powerful force driving transformative change in society. Madrid-based entrepreneur Manisha Pratapsinh embodies this ethos through her journey.
Manisha’s story underscores the importance of diversity and inclusivity in fostering progress and prosperity. Through her actions, Manisha not only uplifts herself but also empowers others to believe in their potential and strive for greatness.
Manisha Pratapsinh’s success is a reminder to women that together, they have the power to reshape societal norms and create a world where gender equality is not just a dream but a reality.
Published by: Martin De Juan
