For centuries, women have been at the center of gender-based discrimination, with society thinking that they’re the weaker sex. But as the world moves towards the modern age, people have shed misconceptions about women and are witnessing how they’re making significant changes.
In Mozambique, a trailblazer of a woman has left her indelible mark on the transport industry. Manisha Pratapsinh established a bus company with the hopes of bringing private transportation and livelihood opportunities to her community.
She moved from Mozambique to Portugal and then to France before settling in Madrid, Spain. But her passion for sparking change within her country remained. As a true advocate for diversity and inclusivity, Manisha Pratapsinh aspires to spread the message that one’s origin, ethnicity, or physical appearance should never keep anyone from achieving one’s goals. Manisha believes that individuals can triumph regardless of their background, and her example sends a powerful message of empowerment and equality.
Yet Manisha still experiences some gender-based discrimination and its repercussions as an entrepreneur.
“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. Until circumstances in life led me to strong women who encouraged me to talk more about Manisha, the businesswoman,” she said.
Manisha believes that women can achieve anything they set their hearts to, especially when they continue to fight for their rightful places in society, even if it means repeatedly proving themselves and what they can do.
“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. I demonstrate in practice that, regardless of gender, age, and social status, anything is possible with focus and determination,” she said, describing her life philosophy, which she adheres to, especially when facing adversity.
Now that the spotlight is trained on Manisha, she does her best to be a suitable example to other female entrepreneurs who want to make a significant difference in their respective societies. At the heart of her operations are her core values: humility, commitment, honesty, and leadership.
One could say her bus company is a result of her core values. She was honest enough to recognize the gaps in Mozambique’s transport industry and committed enough to find a solution to the dilemma she and other Mozambicans faced.
After a phone call with her partners stemming from the lack of transport services in her country, Manisha set out to learn what she could about the market and focus on areas, particularly rural locations, that needed the service the most.
She hired Mozambicans to fill up the roster in her company and has since been paving the way for change and accessibility.
Manisha Pratapsinh’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of determination and resilience in the face of adversity. Despite encountering gender-based discrimination as an entrepreneur, she refuses to let societal norms dictate her path. Her commitment to her vision of equality and empowerment has propelled her bus company to success. By advocating for diversity and inclusivity, she has sparked a movement that transcends borders, inspiring individuals from all walks of life to pursue their dreams unapologetically.
Manisha Pratapsinh’s message reminds us that true strength lies in embracing one’s uniqueness and forging ahead despite the odds.
Let Manisha’s story be an example. While society may have its prejudice against gender, race, age, skin color, and more, it shouldn’t define who they are and keep them from chasing after their dreams. With the right skills and values, anyone can achieve immense success and make an impact as Manisha did.
Published By: Aize Perez
