Celebrating International Women's day, March 8, 2018

AN ARTICLE ON THE GIRL CHILD

By Nwafor-Orizu Blossom Nnenna, Esq

The International Women Community set out March 8 of every year as the day to celebrate women in the world. To mark this year's IWD, I have written an article to empower and encourage every woman out there to keep up the good work and never relent in fighting the good fight for the right cause. 'Cheers to the womenfolk'

The theme for this year's women's day celebration is #PRESSFORPROGRESS#

This theme drives home a lot of thoughts but most especially, it raises a concern on the need for the women folk to rise and take responsibility, we have been given the mandate to press for progress, in the fight for equality, we should not relent, we should not give up, the society awaits our progress, we have been given the baton to pursue gender independence.

We have to rise, we need to stand tall, we need to be strong, we need to be united. The time is now.

We will surely overcome..

May we never relent in pressing for progress despite the odds. 

Shout out to all the ladies out there in the world with exceptions to none.

I dedicate this poem to every woman fighting for the right cause.

 I AM A GIRL

 I did not choose my gender

 I did not choose my continent

 I did not choose my country

 I did not choose my community

 I did not choose my skin color

 I did not choose my parents

 I did not choose my siblings

I AM GIRL

Education is not a priority

But marriage is compulsory

 I am subject to a man's decision

 I am not allowed to speak

 I cannot say what i want

 I cannot choose my path in life

 My opinion does not matter

 My voice cannot be heard

 All i do is whisper

 When i want to speak

 I am careful of my words

 To avoid being labelled a Feminist.

I AM GIRL

 My self esteem is dead

 My dignity has been taken away

 My reputation has been exchanged for some cheap currency notes

 My self confidence has been trampled upon

 I have lost my sense of pride/belonging

 I was told i am priceless

 But a price is attached to me

 I am told its Culture/Traditional Marriage Rites

 Who made the culture?

 Man made culture.

I AM A GIRL

 My brothers are high flyers

 They are allowed to travel far and beyond

 There's no curfew on their lives

 There's no limit to their freedom

 But because i am a girl

 I am told to beware and be careful

 I am told to be home by 7

 I am told to apologise to a man even when the man is wrong

 I am told not to speak when a man is speaking even when i am right

I AM A GIRL

 I am a girl

 I want to be free

 I demand to be liberated

 Free my chains

 I want equality

 I want freedom

 I want to be heard

 I am tired of being led

 I want to lead

 I am limitless

 I want to soar high like an eagle

I AM A GIRL

 I do not want marriage to limit me

 I do not wish to cook my dreams in a man's kitchen

 I wish to be on Forbes someday

 I wish to join in my Country's policy making

 I wish to be encouraged to learn more

 I wish to join the movement for the liberation of the girl child

I AM A GIRL

 I am the tomorrow we all dreamed about yesterday and talked about today

 Feed me with the right information

 Provide me with the right resources

 Do not teach me how to make babies alone

 Do not be quick to cut me off

 Teach me to explore my talents

I AM A GIRL

 I am the man's companion

 I am not his slave

 I am not his baby factory

 I am not his last resort

 I am not his punching bag

 I am not his clueless partner

 I want to contribute to my man's progress

 If you cut my wings

 I will die in pains because i cannot fly anymore

 My potentials will be untapped

 My beauty becomes useless

 You will live in regrets

I AM A GIRL

 I am a girl

 Every part of me represents something beautiful

 The world is waiting for my manifestation

 Do not hide my figure

 I have a womb

 I have power

 I have the multiplication ability

 I have the zeal to endure

 I have the courage to be consistent

 I have the ability to push further

 I am uncomfortable with being comfortable

 I have the urge to persevere

 I have the beauty from within

 I have the grace from above

 Give me the chance to let my light shine

 Allow me to join the women community

 Let my dreams be nurtured

 My emotions matter

 I deserve the right to love and be loved unconditionally.

Best Regards,

Nwafor-Orizu Blossom, Esq

08134097271