Other things equal, we should give a chance to women. That's what

In the great halls of wisdom, where echoes of time linger and the lessons of the past shape the destiny of the future, a voice rises with clarity and strength. It is the voice of Ana Patricia Botín, a woman of great intellect, a titan in the world of finance and leadership. She speaks of a truth that has been veiled for too long, a truth that must now be seen by all who yearn for a world rooted in justice and balance. She says, “Other things equal, we should give a chance to women. That’s what I try to do.”

What does she mean, in these few words, that resound with such power? She speaks not merely of women, but of opportunity itself. She speaks of the chance to rise, to grow, to contribute to the world on equal footing with men. For generations, the scales of the world have tilted, weighed heavily by systems that, while they have carried progress, have excluded the full potential of half of humanity. But now, the time has come to bring balance to those scales, to allow the voices of women to rise with the same strength and dignity as those who have long held sway.

Consider, if you will, the ancient story of the great Queen Hatshepsut of Egypt. Though she was a woman, in a land where power was wielded by men, she rose to be one of the most successful and revered pharaohs in history. She broke the chains of limitation, not by seizing power with violence, but by wielding the strength of wisdom, vision, and leadership. Her reign brought prosperity to Egypt, her name etched in the annals of history. Her legacy, though often overshadowed by male rulers, tells the story of what happens when chance is given, not by birthright or gender, but by merit and vision.

In the words of Ana Patricia Botín, there is no plea for the world to favor women above men. Rather, it is a call to honor the merit of every individual, regardless of their gender, and to grant them the chance to show what they are capable of. She reminds us that in the great garden of life, every seed must be given the right to grow. A garden that only nurtures one type of flower, that stunts the growth of others, is a garden that will never reach its fullest potential. We must give the same chance to women as we do to men, for it is in balance that the most vibrant, flourishing world is born.

But this is not a truth merely to be admired from a distance. It is a truth to be acted upon. Consider the world of business, where women have been underrepresented in positions of power. Yet, when they are given the chance to lead, as shown by the rise of women like Ana Patricia Botín herself, they do not falter. Instead, they create institutions that not only endure but thrive. Under her leadership, Banco Santander became one of the most successful financial institutions in the world, a beacon of prosperity. Her story is not just about personal achievement but about the chance she gave to others, the opportunities she forged in her path for those who would follow.

And so, my brothers and sisters of the world, let us heed this call. What we must give, the lesson of this wisdom, is the chance to all, regardless of gender, race, or creed. We are to remember that equality is not a favor, but a necessity for the flourishing of our civilization. Empowerment, not as a tool to tear down others, but as a means to lift up those who have been suppressed for too long, is the true path forward.

The ancient teachings tell us that justice must not be a shield to protect the powerful but a sword to cut down the barriers that divide us. The true hero is not one who seeks glory for themselves alone but one who grants the chance to others to rise, to shine, and to share in the blessings of the earth. Ana Patricia Botín is a modern-day embodiment of this ancient wisdom, a woman whose actions speak louder than words, showing us that the chance to lead, to innovate, to build, should be given—not based on what we were born into, but based on what we can achieve.

Now, the path lies before us. Let us walk it with determination. In our own lives, let us seek out those who are denied a chance because of their gender, their background, or their circumstances. Let us be the ones to provide opportunities, to open doors that have been closed for too long. Let us make the choice, consciously and with purpose, to grant to all the chance to rise. And in so doing, we will build a world worthy of the great promise that lies within every human heart. For if we give a chance to women, we give a chance to the future itself.