Freda Eshun, President of the African Students Union at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in India, has urged women to reject the “fake it till you make it” culture and embrace authenticity as the pathway to personal growth and fulfilment.

Speaking during an online event to commemorate International Women’s Day, Ms Eshun cautioned that the growing obsession with projecting false images of wealth and social status was pushing many young women into unsustainable lifestyles and moral compromise.

She advised women to remain true to themselves rather than trying to portray a lifestyle they could not genuinely sustain.

“You cannot fake it till you make it; you have to be yourself,” she said, explaining that pressure to acquire luxury brands such as Gucci and Prada often led individuals into unhealthy competition and dependency.

Ms Eshun said the culture of pretending to be wealthy or successful could leave individuals appearing prosperous outwardly while struggling internally.

She identified self-actualisation as the highest stage of personal development, noting that it involved recognising and fully utilising one’s potential.

According to her, women must learn to accept their physical appearance and personal characteristics, adding that genuine fulfilment comes from understanding and appreciating one’s own identity.

Touching on relationships, she observed that many relationships were failing because individuals were pretending to be someone they were not.

She explained that when people carry false identities into relationships, they often struggle to express genuine love, patience, and commitment.

To encourage self-awareness, Ms Eshun recommended journaling as a practical tool for self-reflection.

She said writing helped individuals process emotions such as anger, joy and sadness and enabled them to reflect on past experiences, which could reveal deeper meaning and personal growth.

“Be honest with yourself. If you cannot be honest with anyone else, at least be honest with yourself,” she advised.

Ms Eshun encouraged women to recognise their strengths and weaknesses, stating that such awareness would help them avoid seeking validation through external appearances or relationships.

She described women as “vessels of multiplication and fruitfulness”, capable of overcoming challenges and making meaningful contributions to society.

She emphasised that women could only maximise their impact once they recognised their inherent value and remained true to their identity.