A father asks his daughter:
Study? Why should you study?
I have sons aplenty who can study.
Girl, why should you study?
The daughter tells her father:
Since you ask, here’s why I must study.
Because I am a girl, I must study.
Long denied this right, I must study
For my dreams to take flight, I must study
Knowledge brings new light, so I must study
For the battles I must fight, I must study
Because I am a girl, I must study.
To avoid destitution, I must study
To win independence, I must study
To fight frustration, I must study
To find inspiration, I must study
Because I am a girl, I must study.
To fight men’s violence, I must study
To end my silence, I must study
To challenge patriarchy I must study
To demolish all hierarchy, I must study.
Because I am a girl, I must study.
To mould a faith I can trust, I must study
To make laws that are just, I must study
To sweep centuries of dust, I must study
To challenge what I must, I must study
Because I am a girl, I must study.
To know right from wrong, I must study.
To find a voice that is strong, I must study
To write feminist songs I must study
To make a world where girls belong, I must study.
Because I am a girl, I must study.
This poem originally appeared on peacexpeace.org, which invites you all to find out more about Kamla Bhasin’s women’s empowerment organization in New Delhi, India, Sangat. An interesting interview with her on the women’s movement and the role of NGOs can be viewed here.
To learn more about girls’ empowerment around the world, also see Reaching Girls at the Grassroots – A Sound Investment (Part 2) and Plan International’s campaign by the same title as Bhasin’s poem, “Because I am a Girl.”
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wonderful … !!
Mam, this is superb……….
I wish every household understands this……..truely one fine day……hope that the day is not very far……
Kamla ji, this reminds me our previous slogan on “Azadi”. May be we can make another slogan on “I Must Study”
Such a small world! Reading the poem I felt so nostalgic. I still have such fond memories of the days when with such dedication I translated writings by Kamla. And that collection of poems for children which I translated in a day.
I am sure there would be Hindi/Urdu version of the poem available. If possible I would highly appreciate receiving a copy.