The Zittos’ naming fascination

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Just a day before the 40th day ceremony of their second-born, Life&Style spoke to Zitto and Anna regarding their unconventional decision in naming both their daughters.

The simple idea behind naming their daughters was that they didn’t want these women to be forgotten. “When you read the history of nations, all over the world, especially so in Africa, you don’t read about women who participated in the struggle. It doesn’t mean there were no women – there were women but because of the patriarchal system – it’s only men who are seen as fighters. For us, it is part of a small contribution in recognising that women have participated in the liberation,” Zitto tells. Anna believes that we are in this period of life where being able to break stereotypes is important and both Josina Machel and Alaa Salah have been able to do so by being young women involved in movements. “And what I’ve learnt today, here sitting with Alaa, is that we tend to forget that there is a human and simple side to them. She helped me realise that it’s not that she is any different from us, she is a normal girl doing amazing things and it helps to build an act of courage in people like myself.”