A MAG is a Modern African Girl, so no subject is taboo. My purpose is to share things which may interest a MAG.

This week's contributors: Lydia, Doré Fasolati, Melody, this week's subjects: Christmas and fashion, Domestic violence, I am 30 and not yet a millionaire, have I failed.

Christmas and fashion. Christmas is around the corner and all we want is to show up and show off. Shopping spree for the girls and booze for the boys. Most of the dresses for Christmas 2022 will be in red in all its shade variations, as people are looking to return to old customs, that is, keeping the tradition will be the great differential of this year's festivities. Red and green are the classic Christmas colors, but they're not the only hues associated with the holiday—and each one has its own special meaning. It's definitely something to keep in mind when choosing Christmas ornaments and other assorted holiday decor. Anything red, green, plaid or tartan is perfect for a Christmas themed photo shoot. A family can mix plaids too – red plaid, green plaid, and solid colors from the patterns go well together. A timeless style tips for you in this season,

A flowy, champagne-colored dress and heels are the perfect way to dress up.

Another foolproof Christmas-dinner look is a slip dress with a silk scarf over your shoulders.

And if you're feeling bright, you can't go wrong with a colorful sweater and an equally colorful coat for those in cold winters.

A wide leg pants romper. This eye-catching jumpsuit is sure to turn heads when you walk in the door at any party. The bow detail around the waist really takes things to the next level.

This pullover top is an easy, fancier look when you are running out of time on Christmas Day. The lace adds a festive flair and the cinched bottom makes it comfortable and spacious for all-day movement.

Domestic violence. According to the latest report of the Accra Regional Office of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) 30 % of Ghanaian women suffer physical violence, emotional violence, economical violence, psychological violence or sexual violence, and now, because we are M.A.G.s, Modern African Girls, we go with the times and add cyber violence, meaning control of phone, e mails and social accounts, and maybe hidden tracking devices. That 30 % is really extremely high, European figures are around half a percent only. So what is happening here? Are we living so much in a man's world that the moment a woman opens her mouth the man thinks he has to close it? Is the woman economically so dependent on the man that she has no other choice than to accept this? Is our social system such that if she protests publicly she puts shame on the 2 families and is anyway declared guilty? Don't give up hope, there are organizations which advice on how to handle some of these things and sometimes that is a real support. Check the internet. There is FIDA Ghana, (The International Federation of Women Lawyers)  a collective of women lawyers who  can be consulted free of charge and who know your rights, and sometimes a simple letter or phone call from a lawyer to an aggressive partner can cool things down and keep life bearable. Remember that most people never deal with lawyers or courts so the simple fact that a lawyer is involved can be very impressive. If the aggression starts before you are even married you really should reconsider, he may promise not to do it again but is likely to repeat. If it happens when you are already married try to get evidence like doctors or neighbours reports, it may serve when you are divorcing.  My main suggestion: don’t accept.

I am 30 and not yet a millionaire, have I failed?

No, you haven't failed, most people don’t get there anyway. These days social media somehow make us believe that we should have certain things, do certain thing, achieve certain things. To the extent that the iPhone and KFC are responsible for a lot of teenage pregnancies. Don’t forget that these social media are free of charge, but paid for by advertisers who will explain to you that unless you own an iPhone and a Rolex you are a failure. They show you the lifestyles of the rich and famous. If everybody would live like that these rich and famous would not be called rich and famous, they would be average. So take it easy, accept that you are average, like the great majority of us, and try to advance a little day by day, maybe that way you will indeed. one day become exceptional. Meanwhile don’t be stressed because some seem to have made it and you have not. Some of those who have what we call “made it” have difficulty explaining how they made it anyway. Rather better yourself a bit every day, maybe learning to cook, or to sow, rather than waste your time on silly wasteful things on social media. Enjoy things like real friendship, not facebook friends, family, good food, quality things, helping people advance, laughing, reading a good book. Be positive and learn and strategize, and you will advance to levels you don’t expect you can, without doing the comparison “have I made it”.

Lydia...

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