Going back a hundred years,
Through throes of known history;
Not sure when I became a mere,
And man chose to deride me.
Unrealistic standards, to be haute,
My life, to serve at the pleasure of men;
Anon the author, for all the books I wrote,
Scorned for daring, to take to my pen.
Right from when, I was young,
I was trained, to make a home;
Propriety, was to hold my tongue,
Perpetual smile, with aplomb.
When I played, the daughters’ role,
At my own home, I was viewed a guest;
When as a wife, I was made to move,
And find perch, in my spouse’s nest.
As kids, boys were sent to school,
With a singular purpose, of education;
While the sole aim, to add me to this pool,
Was to ensure, I married above my station.
Worn out, by the end of the day,
Cooking, cleaning and kids filled my time;
Matrimony gave me, a big role to play,
Entrusted with, continuity of the family line.
Housekeeper, Caregiver, Wife and Mother,
The hats I now wore, were so many;
My success and failure, governed by my culture,
And harsh standards, readily set by society.
Hitherto, I was happy to feel wanted,
Content, I failed to see the truth;
I was being taken for granted,
To succeed, my scales were adversely skewed.
If ever, my marital circumstances were doomed,
I was permitted to earn, to seek work outside my realm;
My inferior abilities, were already assumed,
My worth, less than a bloke at the same helm.
All my hopes and dreams, quelled to subdue,
Any superior abilities, were viewed as slights;
So many restrictions, on what I can and cannot do,
Denied a voice, to fight for basic human rights.
When it came to owing property,
I needed to be someone’s bride;
To elect who would lead my country,
My choice and right to vote, were denied.
As time passed, I started to see reason,
And that I was being deprived;
Started questioning the very foundation,
Of common norms, that thrived.
Slowly I started to fight my fights,
For rights that were deemed natural;
I believed what I deserved were equal rights,
A social change, that needed to be agile, not gradual.
Next in line, was equal employment,
Nondiscriminatory rights to jobs and equal pay;
Advocating that Maternity leave was not for my enjoyment,
Losing my career as I was having a child, was not child’s play.
Then came the big political battle,
On having my choice matter;
Women’s suffrage, made such a rattle,
My voice and vote, no longer as silly banter.
Right to health and education,
Property rights, freedom of movement;
Rights against discrimination,
Legal rights, were all part of the list of motions.
Child Marriage, Abortion and Abuse,
Reproductive Rights, Birth control;
Forced Pregnancy, all needed peruse,
While Freedom from Violence, was added to the bowl.
Rape, Sexual Violence, Genocide,
And Trafficking, further made the list;
Women’s Liberation, took it in stride,
And brought women, some much needed trysts.
Present world is about Women’s Empowerment,
Equity not Equality, is vital today;
Increasing awareness, through social media and advertisement,
Enabling us to, level the field of play.
As we enjoy our achievements and success,
Do take a moment, if you may;
Cherish your freedom, and value the sacrifices made,
By the brave women of yesterday!
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