History's Pain; Future's hope

Written by Shreya Venkatachalam, 14

Texas, USA

For many years,

Women have been

Pushed down,

Inferiorized,

Hidden.

For many years,

Women have been only associated with

Child rearing,

Cleaning,

Cooking.

For many years,

Women have been

Used,

Broken,

Thrown away.

For many years,

Women have had to

Cast their eyes low,

Hold their tongue,

Keep their backs bent.

Women’s rights have come a long way, but many are still denied the same wages as men of the same position, the right to own property, and in some cases, education after a secondary level. Still, many women across the world have to think twice before choosing an outfit to wear in fear of what may be whispered about them. Still, many are forced to be constantly conscious and insecure of their looks and diet because of the sexism and pressure choking them. In the years to come, I hope that the same women who had to don a mask of fake content to escape the fists of Men will walk with their shoulders thrown back, chin tilted up, revealing the eyes blazing with the urge to prove their oppressors wrong and fight for themselves.