Nirbhaya

By Aakriti Jain

Frolicking in mom's tummy and kicking her belly,

I was celebrating the bliss of being a girl while counting days on my fingers.

But wait, are they saying they don't want me? Am I undesirable?

No, please don't kill me. I want to live.

And, NIRBHAYA was silenced even before she could step into this world.

Dad bought a new school dress and books for my brother.

I was wondering where are mine.

It was when I got shunned that the kitchen is where I belong and that books are not for me.

And, NIRBHAYA'S dreams were smashed when she could have done wonders.

They kept toying with my body and ripped my clothes apart,

My squeals didn't melt them. Was it too hard to understand that "NO means NO"?

But they were not hanged, it was justice which kept hanging for so long.

And, NIRBHAYA was shedding tears up in heaven.

My parents got me married to my Prince Charming,

What else could I have asked for?

But what I had dreamt would be a fairyland turned out to be a turmoil when I saw my bruised face.

And, NIRBHAYA was overpowered when she demanded equality.

I work 16 hours a day and toil hard all year long without any day-off.

And, NIRBHAYA was labeled “Just a Housewife".

We celebrate International women's day on 8th March every year

But, is that true women's day?

The day no woman would be killed in the womb,

The day no woman is put on fire for dowry,

The day no woman has to sell her body for earning a living,

The day no woman would be considered inferior to men,

That would be the day world will celebrate the real “WOMEN’S DAY”.

By Aakriti Jain