Why Me?
Dad, why am I a responsibility & someone else’s belonging with you?
Why am I conditioned in a certain way made to respond just at a cue?
Why do neighbour’s comment affect you more than what I say?
Why are there restrictions and barriers on me in every way?
Why my actions, my talks, my clothes, my gestures are all your decision?
Why making me ‘marriage material’ is your ultimate mission?
I study to fulfill my hunger for knowledge, not someone’s criteria.
Why he has to be just rich whereas I have to master in every area?
Why should I marry a man whom I don’t know at all?
Why this decision of my life cannot be mine?
Why do my in-laws get and feel like kings?
They take me away with them, then why the other things?
Why do you join your hands in front of them, why do you feel small?
Dad you have a daughter not a disease, please stand tall!
Why do I have to change my surname, leave my house and you?
Why do I leave my old master and walk away with new?
Why does he disapproves of my job and dictates my life?
I am not his hired maid, but a lawful wedded wife.
He asks me to work as a teacher, as it will leave me with family time
Or even better, quit my job, enjoy at home, why struggle for a dime?
Why do only I am supposed to compromise, why should I only adjust?
Why do my choice and opinion is secondary and his comes first?
Your answer to my questions is very well known to me,
“You are a girl; all this is meant to be”.
Well, right I am a girl, not a cow or sheep,
That one could give away and the other could keep!
My sex is not my handicap, neither a flaw nor a disease,
I can do what you can and cannot with utmost ease.
So, everybody please upgrade you ancient ideologies about how I should be.
Question your own actions and mentality and let me be me!!
———— About the Author: This article is contributed by Ashwarya Bhardwaj, our intern. Ashwarya is an Economics Hons. Student form I.P College for Women, Delhi university. For her, words are her weapon to fight against the evils and her writing is a medium to pour her heart out on issues of concern. She is a firm believer of girl power and is contributing her bit to empower it.”
