The Birth of a Daughter, by Etishri Chaturvedi, India

In the early hours of May 15, 2005, I came into this world, innocent and unaware of the storm brewing around my arrival. Instead of the usual sounds of joy and excitement that greet newborns, my first cries were met with tears. Tears that flowed freely from the eyes of my family, my mother's parents, and every other person present in the room.

I was born a girl, and in the eyes of many, that fact alone was cause for sorrow. It didn't matter that I was healthy and full of promise. In that moment, the world seemed to have already decided my fate – that my gender was a burden, a disappointment.

I was the sixth daughter in my family, a fact that only compounded the sadness in the room. Even my maternal grandparents, who should have been overjoyed at the birth of their grandchild, couldn't hide their disappointment. It was as if my very existence was a mark of failure.

But amidst the sea of tears and regret, there was one person who held onto hope – my father. Despite the weight of societal expectations, he welcomed me into the world with open arms and a heart full of love. His joy was a beacon of light in the darkness, a reminder that not everyone saw my birth as a tragedy.

As I grew older, the tears subsided, replaced by admiration, love, and respect from my family. They came to realize that my worth wasn't determined by my gender or birth order, but by the person I was becoming. My mother often reflects on those early days, recalling how my father's happiness was the only genuine emotion amidst the sea of tears.

It's a sad truth that in our society, the birth of a daughter is often met with disappointment and sorrow. But my story is a testament to the power of love and resilience. Despite the tears that greeted my arrival, I've grown to be cherished and valued, proving that every life, regardless of gender or birth order, is worthy of celebration and love.

What does International Women's Day mean to our girls?

At Global Girl Project, we centre the voices and perspectives of the girls we work with. We asked them what International Women’s Day means to them, and received a variety of answers, from those who find it empowering, to those who will not be celebrating it. Read on to explore new perspectives from girls in Jordan, Pakistan, and Nigeria.

Women's empowerment is about enabling women to have control over their lives, to have equal opportunities, and to be able to make choices without limitations or constraints based on gender. It's about challenging and breaking down barriers that prevent women from reaching their full potential in all aspects of life – socially, economically, politically, and personally. On Women's Day, we celebrate the achievements of women throughout history and advocate for a world where every woman can thrive, succeed, and live free from discrimination and oppression. Empowering women isn't just the right thing to do; it's essential for creating a more equitable and just society for all. It requires collective action, support, and solidarity to ensure that women's voices are heard, their rights are respected, and their contributions are valued. Let's continue to strive for gender equality and empower women to create a brighter, more inclusive future for generations to come.

by Aniza, Pakistan

International Womenʼs Day is that special day that is hallmarked to celebrate women across the world, regardless of religion, shape, size, race, religious background, social status or financial situation. It is that moment to look inward and appreciate every woman in your life. It might be your sister, friend, mom, guardian, grandma, any woman at all. 

For me, women should be celebrated everyday. 

The more I come to realise that women go through so many pains just to bring forth another life into the world makes my belly twitch. Recently, I lost a very close person to me; my cousin. She died from a complication after child delivery. This happens to many other women as well. Many have died just to bring a child into the world, while some are struggling and doing whatever in their power to protect the future of their children and families. 

The importance of women in our society is very crucial. So I decided to ask a few of my friends what they think about International Womenʼs Day. Here’s what I heard:

Eseroghene: “I think it’s good. It gives women a feeling of self worth and that they are very important in our society. I mean what will we all be without women? They are life givers.” 

Anita: “Women should be treated with respect in the society and that they should be recognised. In Africa, it seems like men are not really recognising the value of women. We are very important and we should be made more special. Not just by saying ‘Happy Women’s Day’ but to make us feel special. While in secondary school, I participated in a debate on the topic; “women are more important in the society than men” which was a whole experience and I was able to convince my co-debaters that women should not be sidelined. Women should be given the chance to rule, to explore, to be given the opportunity to explore and dream beyond limit” 

Peace: “It’s a day when women should enjoy themselves. It’s not easy to be a woman. The stress, struggle, the pain and all that. Well, women have been trying their best to prove their worth in this patriarchal society of ours so I feel women should be given this special moment to be celebrated.” 

Following their opinions, it can be agreed that women should be given the opportunity to be included in all decision making that affects the family, society and even national status too. 

by Tracy, Nigeria

International Women's day is a day where women are supposed to be uplifted and proud of society's progress, and while I understand the sentiment I can't celebrate because there are so many women in Sudan, Afghanistan, Palestine, Congo, and so many more countries where they aren't being treated properly. Many women around the world don't have access to food, clean water, and even hygienic products. I can't see myself celebrating while so many women are suffering.

by Rawan, Jordan

Every Woman’s Dream, by Tracy Ohovwore, Nigeria

Born as a female child, I am saddled with house chores, a situation I found myself without making myself a choice. Here I am in a ‘patriarchal’ society, where I have to fight my way to the top and prove that I am worthy. The struggle is hard, I had to devise a way to play the game with my unique card.

Now here’s my dream and my wish list;

That my voice be heard without restraint

That I may be respected and treated not with disdain.

That every feminine figure like me be given equal opportunity.

That we should be included in every discussion whether nationally even down to our locality.

I am not a sexual object that men might want to use to satisfy their cravings or gratification. Instead I am equal like you and you must acknowledge that I am not your puppet for unleashing your satisfaction.

Desirably, I yearn to be in an equal position with my male counterparts

Enjoying every moment and receiving accolades and promotion while playing my parts.

I wish that every woman be treated like a sweet princess And find love and partners that would love and stick to us regardless.

I deserve to be educated and pursue my ambitions, that I may be allowed to dream wild without restrictions that point fingers to alienation because of my gender

That in unity, our voices rise together and shake the world

That we unite against practices that hinder and discriminate against us

That we become the pride of “mama” nature and recognized as a force globally

That all our struggles pays off in the future

And with this I speak the dreams of every woman clearly.

Yours sincerely,

Tracy

'A So-Called Society': A Story of Women’s Barriers, Resilience, and Financial Independence in India, by Shubhi Uma

In a society where traditional gender norms dictate that men should be breadwinners and women confined to homemaking, a disheartening narrative unfolds through a survey. A woman from this community, whose affinity for knowledge and education was immense, faced numerous challenges due to societal expectations and gender-based restrictions.

Born into a lower-middle-class family, she longed for academic pursuits beyond her city, but financial constraints thwarted those aspirations. As the eldest sibling in a single-parent household, she juggled familial responsibilities while earning a living by teaching students. Tragedy struck when her father fell ill, compelling her into an arranged marriage for familial support, despite knowing nothing about the older, uneducated groom.

The story takes a distressing turn as the woman, the only educated member of her new family, faces abuse and restrictions from her husband. Despite excelling in competitive exams and securing three government jobs, she encountered no familial support. Her husband neglected parental responsibilities, refused essential healthcare for their children, and even created obstacles in her attempts to work.

In a joint family setup, her husband's erratic behaviour escalated after his mother's death. Struggling to make ends meet, the woman resorted to private tuition classes, facing resistance from her in-laws. However, when her husband fell ill, she returned to care for him, only to endure further hardships.

After a brief period of apparent improvement in their relationship, the husband reverted to imposing restrictions on the woman and their children. Undeterred, she resumed working to provide for her family, facing additional challenges due to her husband's opposition to working women.

Presently, the woman lives independently, having weathered the storms of her tumultuous life. Her inspiring journey serves as a stark reminder of the systemic issues faced by women globally. The call for financial independence resonates, emphasizing the importance of self-reliance and autonomy, irrespective of one's gender.

The story challenges traditional gender roles and underscores the necessity for women to be their advocates, emphasizing the resilience needed to overcome societal expectations. The call to "RISE, SHINE, AND ROCK" becomes a universal anthem for individuals, irrespective of gender, encouraging them to stand up for themselves and strive for independence.

Sexual Harassment: A Personal Story and a Case For Why We All Need to Care About It; By Tracy, Nigeria

This is one of many prevailing phenomena that are plaguing our society today. Women, despite their social status, are still being seen as sexual objects. They are also being sexually harassed because of the appalling stereotype that society has constructed for women by reducing them to the weaker and lesser sex which should be dominated by men. 

The predominance of this obvious fallacy in our society has given rise to the audacious behaviours of men to use women as objects to satisfy their sexual gratifications. The result is sombre, owing to the fact that this evil act has led to a lot of women, especially young women, to their early graves, while some have been left to wallow with the trauma of their saddening experience, which is so heartbreaking. 

In this patrachial society, a lot of women are using all their means to raise their voices against the sexual harassment of women by the domineering male sex. 

Estimates published by WHO indicate that globally about 1 in 3 (30%) of women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women) But then, when accounting for actual sexual harassment, the figure is probably higher. There are a lot of people who wouldn't speak up at all. 

In Nigerian society, a lot of women and young women have complained of sexual harassment, while some have kept their mouths closed. A lot of people see this issue as being of little significance.  However, this is a critical issue that shouldn't be treated with levity as it has subjected a lot of women into thinking lowly of themselves as a mere object for the sexual gratifications of men. 

Ethically, justice should be carried out on the culprits so as to serve as a lesson for other men who see women as sexual objects and harass them also. 

Talking from a personal angle, I recalled a recent incident that happened a few weeks ago. It was one afternoon as I headed to school to attend lectures. On this fateful day, the sun was so hot at its highest temperature,  and the whole environment was quiet. There were no people on the road and as I continued to walk through this quiet and narrow road that led to the back gate of my campus, I sighted a young man who was sexually harassing a coursemate of mine who was also heading to school for the lectures. Quickly, I approached them as the girl began to raise alarm. Before I could hasten my steps and get to them, the young man fled. I walked over to inquire about what transpired between them. She told me that the disgraceful young man had touched her breasts and was trying to drag her into the bush. She said he was even telling her that there was nothing she could do since nobody was around to help her. I had to sympathise with her and we ensured that all her valuables were intact. 

Looking back, I keep wondering; what if I didn't show up? What if no one came to her rescue? What kind of impact has her experience with that scornful young man ingrained in her? The consequences are grave and it can destabilise her mentally. 

Moving ahead, it should be strongly upheld that women are not sexual objects and they should be given due respect. The idea of women as  the weaker and less sex as a whole is a fallacy. 

In my opinion, this controversial issue should be strongly looked into so as to address the rising concern of sexual harassment and debunk the idea of women as sexual objects. Hence, this brings me to say that in all our relationships with the female sex, the expected reference, admiration and honour should be given to them. 

Waiting! A Poem by Meerab Ilyas, Pakistan

Have you ever suffered from this temptation?

Repeatedly, my personal contemplation

It is such a hope

Which burns your blood, drop after drop

In order to get your purpose thirst

Waiting! Waiting! Waiting! Must

The central senate is the sun

Every planet waits for its turn

Day waits for night

Night waits for sunshine bright

Four marriages he is already done

Nine daughters but still waiting for son

Parents’ old-age reached

Children waiting to them teach

In the season of spring

Birds waiting for swing

Hunter waits for prey

Nervous victim tries to find running way

Patient remember, how he will be dead

On his diseased bed

Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law battle replete

Mother wants divorce give her to defeat

Time needle break

While knitting ‘wait’

God Himself waiting for sinner repentance

On last judgment they will get redemption

Be Yourself, by one of our girls

Can you remember the last time you didn't do something just because you were worried about what others would think? And later on, did you experience a sense of worthlessness and regret? Let me tell you something that can change your life. I'm sure you've heard it before, but today, as you read this, I want you to truly think about it and make a decision. Be yourself!

Have you ever noticed that when you refuse to do something because of what others might think, you aren't being true to yourself? If you constantly worry about being liked, accepted, and respected by others, if you fear being alone or rejected, or find it difficult to express yourself fully because you doubt your own worth, then this passage is for you. I believe that by the end of this article, you will be inspired to bring positive changes into your life. Are you ready to face the fear of not being accepted, liked, or respected by others? Let's get started.

Firstly, let me share why I decided to write about being yourself. Until last year, I was just like the people who constantly put others' happiness before my own. I was a people pleaser. There's a famous quote among philosophers that goes, "The more you strive for perfection to please others, the more you lose touch with yourself." I personally went through this struggle, and as you may be experiencing, it was a painful journey. But fear not, because if I could overcome the fear of being myself, so can you.

To solve any problem, we first need to understand its root causes. The first reason why we are not true to ourselves lies within us – our negative thoughts. Seeking attention, love, and respect from others, and excessively pondering over what they say, think, and how they might react, leads to a lack of trust in ourselves and a fear of being authentic. Let me share one of my experiences regarding this. Last year, we went to a pastry shop to order a cake for Teacher's Day. Some boys were there, struggling to choose a cake. They asked for my opinion, and I liked one cake, but I thought my friends and those boys wouldn't approve of it. So, I chose another cake, and later, I deeply regretted it. Even now, when I go shopping with my friends, I struggle to make decisions and often prefer to go alone. It's clear how much we value others' opinions over our own. The main issue lies within ourselves and our negative thoughts that prioritize others' opinions over our own. If you constantly seek attention, love, and respect, the negative thoughts about what others think will hinder you from being yourself.

The second reason is the influence of family, friends, and society. Allow me to share another example. I recently went shopping alone and encountered a couple. The wife chose a piece of clothing, but the husband criticized it and persuaded her to choose something else. Witnessing their interaction, I felt sorry for the woman. You can see how others can influence and manipulate us. Family, friends, and society have a significant impact on our ability to be ourselves. If we grow up in a family that rejects us or constantly interferes with our decisions, we start believing that we are not enough without their approval, that we must conform to their desires. Similarly, friends and society play a crucial role in shaping our identities. For instance, in some communities today, government regulations dictate how girls and women should dress. How can you choose to be yourself when you can't even choose your own clothes? However, you have the power to determine what type of life you want to live. Remember, no one should make you feel bad about yourself.

Now, let's discuss what we can do to solve this problem.

Firstly, be confident and do not measure your value based on others' opinions. Love and respect yourself. When you truly love yourself and acknowledge your own worth, you become fearless. You realize that you can survive without others because you have yourself. When you love and respect yourself, you don't constantly seek validation from others, and as a result, you pursue the things you truly want. I understand that it's easier said than done, but initially, it may be challenging. How can you love yourself? Start by being kind and forgiving towards yourself. Embrace self-care activities and spend time alone, getting to know yourself better. Deepen your understanding of your own interests, passions, and values. Sometimes, loving yourself may not be enough. You also need to free yourself from the opinions and expectations of others that you've carried for so many years. It's not an easy task, given the long-standing conditioning you've experienced. Here's what you can do: start doing the things you've avoided in the past because of what others might think, say, or how they might react. When you're with others, try to express your honest opinions. If someone asks for a favor that you don't want to do, don't be afraid to say no. Take responsibility for your own life and stop letting others make decisions for you. Make yourself a priority. Yes, prioritize your own needs and desires. Keep in mind that prioritizing yourself isn't a selfish act unless you completely disregard others. I'm not encouraging you to ignore others; rather, my point is that while you should consider others, never forget yourself or place their needs above your own.

In conclusion, I want you to reflect on the importance of being yourself. Be brave and nurture a strong relationship with yourself. When faced with a decision, listen to your own voice, not the voices of others. If Steve Jobs hadn't followed his own instincts and quit when others said it wasn't possible or good enough, we wouldn't have Apple today. Listen to yourself, trust yourself, and be yourself. I have faith that you can win this battle. Keep in mind that you are not alone on this journey, for God is with you every step of the way.