08/03/2025
On International Women’s Day, the essence of Freedom & Liberation, a perspective.
Existentialism posits that individuals define their own essence through choices and actions. At its core, this philosophy asserts that freedom is both a gift and a burden—one that demands responsibility and self-awareness. Liberation, then, is not simply external emancipation from oppression but an internal awakening to one’s authentic self, free from societal constructs and imposed identities.
Simone de Beauvoir, a key existentialist thinker, emphasized that women, like all individuals, must actively claim their freedom rather than passively accept roles assigned by patriarchal structures. True liberation requires transcending imposed narratives and embracing the radical responsibility of self-definition. This extends to egalitarianism, which in an existential sense is not just about systemic equality but the recognition of each person’s autonomy and agency.
However, existential freedom is not an isolated pursuit. Jean-Paul Sartre’s concept of “being-for-others” reminds us that our existence is deeply interwoven with others. Empowerment, therefore, is both personal and collective. To empower others is to acknowledge their agency while fostering conditions that enable authentic self-expression.
Thus, existentialist freedom is not about individualism in a vacuum but about forging spaces where all individuals can freely construct their essence. A truly egalitarian world is one where each person, unshackled from oppressive systems, can embrace their responsibility to exist meaningfully.
