Always stand up for your self

In person Stephani Siriwardena is a bubbly charming and delightful personality. She is a Sri Lankan Lebanese, a model and the winner of 2011 Miss Universe Pageant and represented Sri Lanka at Miss Asia Pacific 2013

A graduate of Concorde University in Canada, she has specialized in journalism and communication and is a talented singer and dancer. She is also the founder of the Stephanie Siriwardene Foundation.

by Zanita Careem

Do you think that one who desires to look glamorous should be the parameter of success?

“First of all it is important to understand that the “parameters of success” are not defined by you. Most times it is defined by society and what people expect of you within the structures society has created for itself.

Therefore it is more important for you to define your “parameters of satisfaction” based on what you know will make you happy and make you feel fulfilled in life. This way you take control of your narrative and are not endlessly running behind external validation.  Also realize that most times the definitions of the words “glamorous” and “beautiful” are defined by mass media . Set your own “parameters of satisfaction” and strive towards them”.

What do you think of Female Empowerment?

“I think every human being, regardless of which gender they are should feel and be empowered. This is the only way that they can reach their true potential and give their best to the world to make it a better, safer and happier place for all of us to live in.

I believe people harm others and themselves and are led into the world of crime when they feel disempowered, unheard, unseen, invalidated, helpless and desperate for change. We shouldn’t let systems that were created by archaic assumptions and definitions of a humans worth based on their gender, race, cast or creed lead any human towards that path. We need to get rid of systematic discrimination because every human being deserves to live a fulfilling life where they are empowered and have equal opportunity to make their dreams a reality thereby giving the best version of themselves to the world.

Do you think more support and strength should be given to women who share their experience of sexual harassment?

“I think support in all its forms, should be given to anyone who has been subject to any sort of harassment or abuse whether it is verbal, physical, emotional and/or sexual. Sometimes people are unable to share their stories of harassment and abuse for many different reasons. It is therefore our duty to create a safe space where people can share their stories when they are ready to do so and simultaneously create the necessary support systems that these individuals can lean on as they begin their journey towards healing.

What does ‘power’ mean to you?

“As it is said in every Spider-Man movie: “with great power comes great responsibility.” The reason that it is a very important line is because in its essence power is the ability to change or influence a situation and another individuals thoughts, feelings, circumstances and lives for the positive or negative. It is important that we exercise that power responsibly with respect to the other so that we don’t just use it selfishly to further our own needs and wants. Ideally we should only exercise power over anything for the individual and collective good of the person, people or situation we are exercising it on.

Have you ever been in a situation  where you were made to think that women and power were two incompatible  concepts?

‘Of course I have. I think living in a patriarchal world all females have experienced it in some form and at some point in their lives. The important thing however is to not accept that feeling of powerlessness and stand up for yourself. Stop giving away your innate power and work hard to develop yourself”

 Do you consider yourself a powerful woman?

“I think we are all powerful beyond measure as we are all made in God’s image. We just need to step into that power and own it.

The action or decision you are most proud of?

“That is a hard question but I think the decision I am most proud of is the one I took when I was a little girl of about 10 years old. I had just finished watching Shirley Temples movie “The little princess” and I was amazed with how regardless of her terrible circumstances and how mean everyone was to her she chose to be kind to everyone and behave like a “princess.” Even though no one gave her a crown, she lost her father and was poor and destitute she didn’t allow it to take away her beautiful, positive and kind personality. I decided that I wanted to do my best to emulate her and always be a princess too.