The Women’s Day that should no longer be

You want to pluck out my feathers and slow my flight, I will instead dive in the ocean and swim seven seas, searching down below for what you prevent me from aspiring to, up there.
I will climb mountains with bare hands and feet, I will cling to stones and trees, I will find my way to the summit and I invite you to join me there for a cup of tea.

You insist that I change the woman in me; become tough and cruel, lose my motherly instincts and turn into a war machine, I will instead replace every thought of war with a thought for peace, I will wipe out feelings of hate with a message of love.

You want to wrap me in 10 layers of clothing and hide me away from the world, you give me a false sense of protection and when time comes I am sold to the highest bidder!

Instead, look at my soul shining through the tent you covered me with, feel its power unveiling one layer at a time, No clothing will veil my mind and prevent it from soaring where it is supposed to be.

Another time you starve me to a bone with only marrow, you dress me with no dress and make me walk on a runway, all eyes staring at me; lust eating through my most intimate details, then you crown me with a glass tiara and send me home with plastic flowers. I will play your game and make it my gain, I will overcome the pains of growing and learn from my mistakes, I will never walk that catwalk again.

You have given me a day among international days, you want me to be happy neighbouring world water day and environment day, and you think half of humanity should be remembered in a day! I will leave you that day and divide the remaining days equally between you and me!

Every time you accuse me of a dull mind remember the physicist Marie Curie, when you think I am a coward recall the strength of Joan of Arc. I have the will power of Frida Kahlo who overcame her pains to become a great artist.

If you think I can’t stand for what I believe, the bravery of Rosa Parks who did not give up her seat on a bus for her rights is another reminder, I have Wangari Maathai as my role model and Shirin Ebadi as my inspiration. Don’t forget the thousands of unnamed ladies behind the scenes working tirelessly to raise nations.

Don’t pluck my feathers, instead give me wings and I shall hold your hand and we fly together, for the world is a bird with two wings it can never fly with one wing!

Ms Ebrahimi is a social critic.
nafhamaani@yahoo.com