Zehra Sayin: "There are 165,000 people with a mental handicap in Belgium, let's stop ignoring them"
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Bienvenue dans notre nouvelle rubrique « Tout feu tout femme»» ! Deux fois par mois, Paris Match.Be will discover an inspiring woman all sectors of activity combined.The guest will tell us about her but also ....And their places in today's world.The urgency of their fights and other struggles for ever more inclusion in society.
By Laurent Depré
To start this series, it is Zerha Sayin, CEO of the Special Olympics Belgium who has been ensuring for over 40 years the development of sport in people with a mental handicap, which opens the ball.Coming from diversity, 36 years old, she has a desire for iron to bring the adapted sport towards ever more light and the hope in humanity of people.Zehra Sayin was a perfect choice to launch this new meeting.Paris Match meeting.be.
Paris Match.be.We imagine that the CEO of the Special Olympics Belgium vibrated by seeing the Paralympic Olympics and the number of medals won by Belgian athletes… Zerha Sayin." Absolutely !These are all beautiful victories.Especially if we take into account the conditions of preparation and training which were complicated.But let's stay ambitious and look at our Dutch neighbors who brought back much more medals (Editor's note: 59 for the Netherlands, 15 for Belgium).For our mentally handicapped athletes, see the athletes with the Olympic Games and the Paralympic, it was a breath of fresh air and a hope of being able to resume their activities as quickly as possible ... "
What was the impact of the COVVI-19 on disabled people and the practice of sport? "Huge ... because it was only anchored on cancellations of long-standing events.In March 2020, we necessarily renounced the National Games of Antwerp and then to those of 2021 in Louvain-la-Neuve and a few weeks ago at the National Winter Games which was looming this fall ... morally and physically, it does notwas not easy for these athletes.Special Olympics has developed an alternative to virtual games but it should be noted that many mental disabled people have still not understood why their championships were canceled.The isolation that followed was difficult to live for them.Athletes took ten kilos, others have made heavy depressions, some were even more marginalized ... "
How did you become CEO of the Specials Olympics? "In a very simple way: I was volunteering with the organization, I was preparing" lunch box ".She was looking for a profile to develop her marketing, communication and sponsorship department.At that time in my life, I left Luxembourg to come back to live in Belgium and I left my job at Xerox.In 2015, I was therefore offered to become CEO and every day I take advantage of this magnificent experience in terms of human values.It is a job where humanity is sold for emotions that spring from the suitable sprot.»»
What makes you want every morning to go into combat in your profession? "It is being able to offer athletes a life in which they can really exist and a society in which they are respected!I have this rage to defeat in me to make them accept them as normal athletes, like you and me.I want to wake up people by telling them that there are 165,000 people with a mental handicap in this small country. Arrêtons de les ignorer, de les cacher !»»
In a recent interview you explained that it is important to applaud mental disabled athletes at events, but that it is even more important to practice their sport with themselves 15 minutes ... Why? "We realize, studiessupporting scientists, which they evolve three times faster in terms of motor skills in contact with non-handicapped.This little quarter of an hour spent with them therefore has a rather extraordinary added value.And then at the human level, it is of great richness and an immeasurable sharing.»»
The media speak more of gender equality, of integration of people of foreign origin than mental handicap.It remains difficult to get the media to talk about it? "I find that the media are more and more interested in it because sport has acquired a new status in recent years.A phenomenon still amplified by COVVI-19.The concern is mainly on how to treat it and not highlight the importance of the inclusion by sport.We are talking about sport as a vector but not yet the place of the disabled person in society.»»
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The inclusion of mental disabled people in society is a reality.The obstacles that women must often overcome during their professional career are another ... "It would be to veil their face that to assert that women do not encounter this type of difficulty in the world of work.I hasten to say that it was not fortunately my case.I come from a very multicultural family and I have never suffered from school, or higher education and even less in my jobs.To be a woman rather helped me in my career.I think that emotional intelligence allowed me to move forward and to be decisive especially in negotiations with business partners.I have always favored collaborations based on loyalty and long term.It’s probably a female touch, it served me a lot.»»
It is estimated that 60 % of the brakes on the career of women is what ordinary sexism is shown.So you have never experienced it during your career? "No, but I know that many women are seen at work as being a mother above all and therefore prescribing their family primarily.At one point in their career development, women naturally ask themselves these questions because the environment simply does not allow them to do otherwise!It’s very pernicious. ‘Vais-je devoir faire un choix entre être mère et la poursuite de ma carrière ?»»Une question que les hommes ne se posent jamais.It is shocking that they should not say to myself "am I a businessman, a husband, a father"?I often say to young women of my organization who ask themselves these questions: ‘If you already put obstacles, how do you want to be respected and that we can see you otherwise?’ "
What other advice would you give? "They must be 100% aligned with the choices they make.I decided, at the start of my career, that I did not want a child and I worked thoroughly.In perfect harmony with my family and my companion.Today, I am 36 years old and my priorities change.I know what I can do, what some choices will bring but it should never be an obstacle to the ambition or the desire to perform important functions.»»
You find men who do not have sexist attitudes but who remain silent just as guilty? "Certainly.The fact of not taking a position does not help.We can make parallelism with the struggle for childhood rights, disabled, homosexuality ... not to take a stand, to be silent or not having an opinion is no longer acceptable.More and more women arrive at high positions in companies and they need support at all levels.So, the gentlemen who are silent should today show signs of support.The world evolves quickly, it would be a shame for them to miss the train ... "
Figures of women who inspired you when you were younger?"In fact, when I started my professional life at Xerox, the international CEO of the group was a woman as well as that of our great competitor, Ricoh.At 26, when you start your career in a large American firm that gives you your eyes to attract you, it is an element that motivates and impresses.Particularly in a very competitive sector and a priori men.Just like when I joined the Special Olympics Europe, my CEO (Editor's note: Ingrid Ceusters) was also a woman.So I never imagined that it would not be possible one day for me too ... "
Do you understand the more offensive side of the young generations of women who demand to free themselves completely and quickly from this sexist shackles still in place in society? "I understand the desire to go faster and further.On the other hand, I have the impression that young women will be losing if they venture too much in the field of arrogance or aggressiveness.We must maintain dialogue and base ourselves on their emotional intelligence which is superior.Again, I can understand that at a certain age we want to denounce our situation by advocating the other extreme.I admire that they cry loudly that it is not the world in which they want to evolve. Et qu’elles exigent du changement mesurable !»»
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Kabul and the Taliban takeover. On craint pour la « liberté»» dont jouissaient les femmes et même les jeunes filles sous le précédent pouvoir.And we are admiring in front of these women who challenge the Taliban by demonstrating."We can only be admirable before these women who dare to challenge this power instead of hiding or fleeing.It is a sign of despair also from the moment they risk their lives.For me, they have so much to bring that they should leave Afghanistan to come back later with force.I wonder if while staying there, they will really be able to make the difference. J’ai des doutes…»»
Texas has become one of the most restrictive abortion states in the United States a few weeks ago.The legislation prohibits any voluntary termination of pregnancy (abortion) as soon as the heartbeat of the fetus are perceptible, or from the sixth week of pregnancy."This is a subject so personal because of beliefs, experience, age, context ... Each case deserves to be taken seriously.If a woman believes that she must have an abortion rather than become a bad mother, for example, it is her right.A woman who does not want to be a mom will have the greatest difficulties in transmitting the best.Why start a scenario that announces an unstable future with such bases?The company is not positive to withdraw ... it must keep the right to say no.»»
The controversy of Anuna de Wever criticized after his tweet "an old heterosexual white man who minimizes the climate crisis" ... about the Flemish producer Gert Verhulst."I find the point shocking ... From my point of view, it is neither intelligent nor necessary.Should women decrease to speak the same aggressive language?Why repeat what you are stigmatized yourself?Let's show people a different and inspiring model.»»
From tac to caster..
Civil status-Brussels of housing-Brusselslanges spoken-French, Dutch, English, Turkish Holidays-on the side of Nicepetit Coin de Paradis near you-Les Ponds Mellaerts in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre (s) practiced-NoBut I love football that I practiced until I was 15.Favorite restaurant - Umami in Antwerp and Belga Queen in Brussels.Coffee favorite - Nicolas gardens in Brussels Péné Mignon - Chocolate: it's morning, noon and evening ... But I calm down! Favorite clothes store - favorite mangoplat - Pad Thai with favorite kitchen chicken - Asianicplat the best managed - IKitchen very little but I would say the desserts like the Red Fruit Tiramisu, beer or spirits?Vin Rosésées Netflix (or other) of the moment - Lupinlivre read at the moment - a book on digital marketing incorporation (s) followed on social networks to advise - I am especially subscribed to TEDX content (Editor's note: short 15 -minute conference on atopic).This allows me to get to know sectors that are quite different from the favorite minemment of the day-in the afternoon, I am really not the morning motto or proverb-say that I have faith in a completely inclusive societyand that I believe in the human to get there.What insupports - the epitaph injustice on your grave - I love life too much, I have never asked myself the question!
