On This International Women's Day

On this International Women’s Day, I am somewhat speechless.

I see it all around me how women are socially built to be inferior and how if they choose to fight this status they have the word ‘feminist’ thrown at them as if it was a slur.

I see how a woman’s success in work or academia is considered a threat to her familial or marital life.

I see how a woman is seen by many as either a subject to rule over or an object to enjoy, and never as an individual with intellect and emotions.

I see how little girls are brought up to fantasies of Mr.Perfect and of financial dependence even if they have careers in the future.

I see how a girl’s actions inevitably reflect on her family’s reputation while a boy is just a boy, and whatever he does is what boys do.

I see how a woman’s body is the focal point of her existence and a meter of her morals.

I see how families still prefer baby boys to baby girls.

I see how women gossip about other women who are more successful and try to bring them down socially.

I see how a woman’s mobility can only be practiced in daylight and it ends after dark to protect her name.

I see how a woman’s sensuality is a big taboo, an automatic whore label.

I see how a woman’s intellect is more often than not a threat to men in power.

I see how many women, including myself, cannot hope for academic advancement abroad on their own. It’s taboo.

But despite all that, I renew my commitment to voice women’s causes and to fight gender inequality. And If I ever have a girl, she will kick ass, starting with mine.