Counseling is the best help for rape victims - Claudia

Effervescent Claudia Noble-Arett is the Director of Films, Noble Pictures, South Africa. The eloquent mother of a daughter at a recent event revealed to www.angeladaviesblog.blogspot.com that rape is her greatest fear in life. She also spoke about what can be done to help victims, among other issues.

You look really elegant. Can you define your fashion statement?

The way I dress determines the way I feel about myself. Women must always be proud of who they are and what they have accomplished. Therefore, the fashion should make that statement I have arrived.

You also look like a woman who loves jewelry. Are you one?

Yes, I like jewelry a lot. But I have my rules when wearing jewelry. If my earrings are very big, I don’t wear necklace and if they are small, I wear necklace. The jewelry complements your entire outfit and it is important to accessorise. Sometimes you can put on a dress and if you don’t accessorise, you will not actually see the beauty of the dress. Accessories actually make a statement with your outfit.

Everyone has one fear or the other in life. What is your greatest fear?

Oh, to be raped is my greatest fear. I don’t know what it is but I have this huge fear for that. I was a Sunday school teacher and I work with the youths and I have always felt bad when young girls come to me and tell me their experiences. That has been my biggest fear in life really. My heart always goes out to women and young girls who have gone through such experiences.

What do you do to help these victims?

I counsel them. Counselling is always the best thing. It is very difficult, I don’t think it is something they would ever get over, it would always be with them but the important thing is learning how to live with oneself. It is not forgetting it because it doesn’t get away but it is learning how to carry on living, although you have had a terrible experience in your life.

Don’t you think that it is actually a difficult thing to live with?

It is true; most girls can’t live with it. It is very difficult and it ruins their entire life because they go on with life however, they cannot have proper relationships again with the opposite sex. But they have to try. You cannot change the world but you can try to make a difference in somebody’s life by giving them encouragement.

How many children do you have?

I have one child and she is 16 years old. My husband was married before and he has three children, so I have three step-children.

In Africa, many women do not like the responsibility of taking care of step-children. How do you cope?

It is difficult because it is a kind of adoption. My husband’s children are already ages 18, 19 and 24 years, so it wasn’t a difficult adjustment. My daughter is 16 and it was difficult for her to come into a family and she just felt like I was giving the other children all the attention and I didn’t love her anymore. I had to be very sensitive to that need that she had. I wanted to give his children attention too because I didn’t want them to feel that I had taken their dad away so I had to really try and balance my life. I try and make it work but all situations are difficult but together, if you love each other and you have God in your life, it does really help you to get through all those barriers and to pull together as a family.

What do you love about womanhood?

We could look lovely whenever we want. We could get dressed, look at ourselves and say we are so gorgeous. The fact that men turn their heads, look at you and appreciate your beauty. I think that is wonderful about being a woman - just having that power and control over men.

What is that fashion item you cannot do without as a woman?

My earrings, I always feel like I am undressed if I don’t have them on.

What kind of shoes do you love to wear?

I really love shoes that glitter but it must be high heels always. I don’t feel I am dressed unless I have a high heeled shoe on, so I am always on heels.

How do you love to carry your hair?

If I am putting on an evening outfit, I would normally wrap my hair up but during the week, for the office, I leave it straight and down.

How do you love your make-up?

I like my make-up standard. I love to wear red lipsticks. They always say a man looks at a woman twice when she is wearing red lipstick.

How do you keep fit?

The truth is that I have added weight. I have to start dieting again, although it is very difficult because we have a lot of lovely food. When you are way over 40, the metabolism slows down. So it is difficult to keep yourself trim and slim but it is important to look good, maintain a good exercise routine and try to keep a healthy diet.

You are over 40 and you look really graceful. What is the secret?

I am actually 45 years old. I think it is having good genes and also eating healthy. I had very bad acne as a child and so I battled with my skin. As a result I used a lot of skin products to always make sure that my skin was cleansed. It simply helps if you make sure you are using cleanser and moisturiser.

What kind of books do you read?

I read mostly magazines. I also read inspirational books to improve myself. I actually grew up with the book ‘Think And Grow Rich’. There is this part that says, “Anything the mind of men can believe and conceive he can achieve”. I have always turned it around and said, “Anything the mind of women can conceive and believe she can achieve”. That is a book my dad gave to me as a young girl and I have always kept that in my mind.

What are your hobbies?

I love filmmaking, reading, horse-riding and dancing.