Women in communication: interview with Paola Baravalle from Avon
Coming of age is certainly an important milestone, both for a person and for a brand and, in this very particular case, for ours.
As the female turns 18, we have decided to start a Women Empowerment project that focuses on women who work in the field of communication.
Paola Baravalle, Avon's Head of Communication, answered 5 significant questions for us, explaining the importance of finding one's own balance in order to really get to know each other.
1. What is "being a woman" like in the world of work?
Being a woman is good in general, not just in the workplace. I believe that a woman, in professional contexts, can count on many physiological resources, typical of "being a woman": first of all multivision, that is the ability to go beyond two-dimensionality (characteristic of men), secondly the ability to juggle with a certain skill in the complexity of current reality with approaches that are not only pragmatic. The woman certainly has, also for atavistic reasons (the man hunted and the woman reaped the fruits), the ability to carefully observe what surrounds her and to find solutions in complex contexts. Above all through dialogue, women are able to create community: the story of a problem is already part of the resolution of the same. Another aspect on which women can count on a biological level is the ability to take care of the other: thinking about the world of work today, its complexity and the various situations in which one can find oneself in the field of interpersonal relationships, the natural characteristic of taking care of others creates harmonious contexts in which to work. To conclude, I personally believe a lot in completion among individuals, and certainly a woman can complete the male vision in a world where female odds represent only 20%.
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2. What was "women empowerment" for you at 18?
Independence, not only financially, but also in the management of my spaces, my time and my commitments. At 18 I did a thousand things: I went to school, I did dance, I did theater and animation in the parish, I played the guitar, I went out with my friends ... Taking on various activities and surrounding myself with people has always been my form of emancipation. Making as many experiences as possible, both by nature and for personal enrichment: the more things I did, the more I felt emancipated; I saw empowerment as a sort of dilation of time for the multiplication of possible activities to be carried out.
3. Three words you associate today with "women empowerment"
Three hashtags came to mind: #harmony, # perspective, # opportunity.
As for harmony, I strongly believe that it is a fundamental theme for women: women, perhaps more than men, have to deal with stereotypes and happy women are those in harmony with their choices; a resolute, emancipated, serene woman who can give the best of herself to the world (in a work, family and community context) is definitely a woman in harmony - having been doing dance for many years I have learned that the theme of balance is crucial and helped me in defining my personality.
Compared to the past, women have greater prospects: an asset to always keep in mind, because thanks to the women who fought before us today we can do anything, such as going into orbit like Samantha Cristoforetti or leaving everything and going to volunteer. in the most remote areas of the planet. Years ago a pilot woman was a miracle, while today you have the chance to be a miracle every day.
Connected to the concept of perspective is that of opportunity: I have a young daughter I would like to teach her that in life you can do everything; a man can do almost anything. True empowerment is the freedom of choice.
4. What would you recommend to the 18-year-old you?
I would recommend three things to the 18-year-old me: think once more in the face of choices, because in some cases it can make a difference; breathe, because I spent entire periods in apnea due to the frenzy of my daily life; pursue your dreams, while still cultivating a plan B.
5. How much need is there today to talk about women empowerment and what should be done?
More than quantity, I would like to emphasize quality: how to speak. Girls need to understand how to be women in equilibrium in an increasingly complex context, in which the smartest, the most reactive, the strongest or the one who "shoots the biggest" wins. To be able to live in a serene way and aligned with her own center, a woman first of all needs to understand who she is and what kind of woman she wants to become; otherwise there is the risk of embarking on a path that does not feel right and living the life of another. It must always be considered that every decision will bring changes in one's life, therefore the girls must be helped to dialogue and to accept the changes (physical and otherwise).
