I Hope I Never Have a Daughter.

By Pranjli Chaturvedi

Not because I believe she's not enough, but because I'm weak. 

I lack courage. 

How will I tell her how this society functions? 

How will I ever look at her in her innocent eyes and tell her that no woman in this society is viewed as a human? 

From little girls to older women, we are sexualised and objectified on a daily basis. 

I hope I never have a daughter. 

I lack the courage to tell her that a rapist is not sentenced to death, but is only charged 50,000 rupees for the hours of torture and torment he brought to an innocent woman. 

How will I tell her that even a week old baby is raped and molested in this society? 

How will I tell her that our rage is dismissed and unseen? 

How will I tell her that men still worship and idolise people like Andrew Tate? 

I hope I never have a daughter. 

How will I explain to her why I cannot let her wear her favourite little frock outside because of the monstrous eyes? 

How will I tell her that her little hands and feet will be looked at with evil eyes and will be sexualised? 

How will I tell her that every movie she watches, or songs she hears will portray a woman as a doll rather than a person? 

How will I tell her that if she chooses to watch feminist movies, she will be shamed for it? 

I hope I never have a daughter. 

Because how will I tell her that women in this society still shiver when they see men nearby? 

How will I tell her that it's entertainment to men when they instill fear inside our hearts and souls? 

They don't care about our nervous sweating and racing heart rate. 

How will I tell her that she has to constantly keep an eye on the people around her, make sure she's not followed, and hold tightly that pepper spray? 

I hope I never have a daughter. 

How will I tell her that despite working hours everyday, we are still not equally paid? 

We are given no respect, and we are expected to work like robots. 

We are expected to do house chores, and then earn money as well. 

Merely because men failed to have real masculinity and learn how to be independent. 

How will I tell her we are expected to pay dowry, endure domestic violence and marital rape? 

And then divorce will be considered "wrong" and a matter of shame? 

How will I tell her if she then chooses to not marry, she will be shamed for the same? 

How will I tell her she has no rights over her own body and her own reproductive system? 

I hope I never have a daughter. 

Because while I know she will be a goddess in disguise, I will always remain a failure enough. 

I will never gather the courage to tell her how this society functions. 

By Pranjli Chaturvedi