Aisha Coulibaly: the time has come to look far

This article is published in number 12 of Vanity Fair on newsstands until March 23, 2021

Aisha Coulibaly is 23 years old, she was born in Foggia to an Italian mother and an Ivorian father, even if her origins and identity are not of great value to her: the theme is not where you are from, but where you want to go. She, like her father, who was an activist for migrants in the camps, wanted to do something for them: at 17 she started working on the project Mygrants, an app that does two things: it delivers training courses for the most requested professions in Italy and puts migrants in contact with those who offer work. The result is 1,230 job placements and 100,000 people using the platform. But this is only the beginning, because Aisha’s words tell the ability to think big, with concrete acts. “The main problem with women,” she says, “is that sometimes it is they themselves who do not value themselves.”

How are we dealing with the issue of migrants?

“We are still behind, in Italy as well as in Europe. There is still talk of welcoming refugees when 90% of migrants arrive for economic reasons. We should understand how to use the situation to our advantage, also because the phenomenon of migration will not stop, on the contrary, it will increase: in 2050 the workforce of African countries will be double that of the world and we should exploit it not suffer it ».

What are Mygrants’ future projects?

«We want to create” intellectual corridors “, map the skills of migrants in their countries of origin and have them come according to the needs of European countries, so that people will arrive legally. In Italy there are many “low skills” professions for which there is a lack of workforce, from catering to riders, but there is also great research in the world of information technology, a field in which many young people in Africa have skills, even if often self-taught “.

Your father was a pioneer in migrant rights, what have you learned from him?

«Everything, altruism is the first thing. Our house was not large but there was always food and sleep for those in need. But also strength and perseverance ».

How many migrant women are there?

“Few come here for family reunification or because they are victims of trafficking. On our platform they are only 16%, but they have great performances and do not stop studying as soon as they find their first job, they want to go forward and always grow ».

Is there a story of courage that has stuck with you?

“Yes, her name is Kadiatu, I met her in a shelter when she was 20, she came from Mali, she did not speak and had signs of mistreatment on her body. In one week on Mygrants he had completed all the learning modules. We hired her and after two years she resigned to start studying again. It takes courage to leave a secure job to do more ».

What are the difficulties of a woman looking for a new life in Italy?

“I don’t see any differences. They are the same as a boyfriend has, to understand how things work, to find a house because no one wants to rent to migrants, to find work ».

Has being a woman hindered you in any way?

“Never. I grew up with the idea that I could do everything. Indeed, I believe that in this period being a woman is an advantage, never before have there been concessions and funds for female entrepreneurship. Now there is a lot of talk about inclusion, better exploit the wave ».

Are men ready to interact with a woman who has no limits?

“Not yet. Sometimes they compete ».

What is male chauvinism in your opinion?

«They are preconceptions that take it for granted that men must do things and women others. Unfortunately it is also rooted in women ».

What must we change to have a more equal future?

“The real change should start with women. It is they who often feel “not capable of” and “not up to”.

If you could establish a law in Italy that is valid from today, what would it be?

“One that rewards meritocracy. You should be able to earn everything only thanks to your own abilities ».

Is there a woman who has been an inspiration to you?

“Madam CJ Walker. Netflix has also dedicated a miniseries to her. At the end of the 19th century she created a line of hair products for African Americans and was the first woman in America to become a millionaire by doing herself. She never gave up. And then Michelle Obama: behind Barack there were his ideals and his strength ».

Which woman would you dedicate a street to?

«To Patrizia, my mother, because in a small town like Foggia and at different times from now, she had the courage to marry my father. When he introduced him to my grandparents they had hardly ever seen a black man. His open-mindedness is the emblem of those who have never given room to prejudices. In addition to the fact that, since my father passed away when I was 16, she raised two children alone. “

You can give advice to women all over the world: what is it?

«To dare. I myself have always been afraid to expose myself and if I had some project in mind I looked first for the problem instead of the opportunity. Instead, things can be done and must be done, just change the world of thinking and put commitment. I also don’t want to stop here. Now I would like to submit a training project to the UN, we’ll see ».

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