From time immemorial, the position of women was different from that of men. From professions to rights όμως There have been and still are women who have gone beyond stereotypes and managed to excel in fields that we would consider forbidden and inaccessible to women.
Overcoming taboos and prejudices behind male-dominated professions, there are women! With love for the specific profession, they tried it and not only did they try it but they also succeeded. They dared, claimed and succeeded in male-dominated professions.
She is Fotini Gerasimou from Xylofagou and is 27 years old, who graduated from the academy 'LAFHAB' (Leeds Academy For Hairdressing And Barbering) in Leeds, United Kingdom and now works as a barber in a barber shop in Xylofagou and Christina Tzavalia, 27, from Trikala, who has studied in Athens at a private cooking school and is now a chef in one of the best restaurants in Ayia Napa.
The Famagusta News and Andri Fluenzou, made sure you met them and entered the position of a woman in a male-dominated profession…
Fotini talking to FamagustaNews, analyzes what it is like to be a woman… barber.
No, it was not a dream come true
I could say the classics "It was a dream come true" and "Something I wanted as a child" but it would be a lie. Several years ago I turned my life 360 degrees, I left my studies in nursing as it was something that did not fill me and I left for England. It was there that I first came in contact with the world of barbering. In every barber shop, almost all of them have more women barbers. This image was the beginning.
I was determined…
Barbering has become my passion and my personal way of making people happy.
The truth is that everyone supported me, family and friends. They saw how determined I was. As determined as they were to defend me and support me in the difficulties we knew I would face upon my return to Cyprus.
"Did you take women to clean you?"
Sexism! I faced, I face and no matter how much it hurts I will always face. Not only me but every woman who will try to succeed in a male dominated profession. One is the reaction from a customer that I will never forget, "but did you take a woman to clean you?" As much as this phrase hurt me then, it's just as stubborn now.
When I first started practicing the profession the reactions were very negative. They did not want me to cut them, they hesitated to sit in my chair and chose the male barber. Especially older customers. But now I would not say that this is true, the self-confidence and confidence I have in what I do does not give them room for doubt.
I took a breath before giving up…
My own thoughts change and are tested from time to time but the goal remains the same. I do not hide that many times I found myself taking a breath before giving up everything. No matter how good you are with yourself when you constantly hear comments from the press "What is a woman looking for in here" and "But surely you can? You know;" from people who know neither you nor your job and just judge you, you start to bend somewhere. But life is very short and above all mine, I continue to do what I love, after all I chose it.
When we understand that we are unique, others will understand…
The message I send to all the women of the world but also to me together is for each of us to love ourselves individually for who we are. To stop comparing the body, our beliefs and everything that makes us different and unique. When we do, then everyone else will.
Speaking to FamagustaNews, Christina analyzes what it is like to be a woman… chef.
"Germ" the cooking
I loved cooking since I was little. It was something that my whole family did and so my path took me there without any doubt since this "germ" was cultivated from my very young years. And even though I started cooking through my family at first my family environment was hesitant and the reason of course was gender, "a woman can not have a family if she goes into the kitchens", so they said.
Chef in one of the best restaurants in Ayia Napa
It is not easy for a woman to enter this profession, however it is not impossible. After all, you do not see so many women, something that at first discourages you, but when you know what you want you can at some point even become a Chef in one of the best restaurants in Ayia Napa.
I worked hard to achieve it, it was not easy. Many hours, a lot of work… quantity, quality, vigilance and all at the same time. Stubbornness requires patience.
I will never stop believing that the only thing that makes a woman different from a man is muscular strength. So in the kitchen!
Sexism in the kitchen exists
The truth is that I have not experienced any kind of sexism in my workplace. There is a possibility that this happens, due to my dynamic character, because many times I leave no room for anyone and for nothing, according to my friends. However, I have heard several incidents which make me very sad.
It's nice for the man to cook at home!
Cooking should not consist only of men. I believe that a woman can cope in the kitchen as long as there is equality in that kitchen. The fact that women belong in the kitchens of the house and men make it a profession is just a stereotype. I think we are in a very difficult society where we both need to work and if the woman loves cooking so much, I find no reason not to make it a profession. By the same logic, I consider it right for the man to cook something at home, which is also very beautiful.
The woman hides great power inside her
I think women have a lot of power inside them. They have an inner power that no one understands. They need to be firm on their feet to be confident and dynamic.
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