It's a few minutes to 12am, and it's the celebration of the international day of the girl-child. I couldn't possibly let this day waste away without making my little mark on it.
Yes, not only because I am a girl, but because I see myself as an ambassador for every girl out there, as well as every other girl ambassador for me too.
It's not a fight that started today, neither was it the call during the summit a few years ago...
No, this has been the voice echoed over the hills and mountains, over the deserts and glaciers, over the forests and valleys.
Cries of the young one, her father's little treasure.
The Voice of the little girl screamed with joy as she played with her peers.
The voice of the smiling adolescent as she, innocently, whimpers along the streets, proudly hawking her oranges.
Oh, yes! I do speak of the proud courage on the face of that thirteen-ish student in the classroom, listening with all attentiveness, as she hopes for a future, a better one.
How can I forget the strong will of that twenty-something young lady, finding herself in a world that has already told her to keep her space? Even as she rumbles through the strives and hardships that we call life, she never gives up.
She may be dragged. She may be mocked.
But, no matter how often she's been told to go back to the kitchen, to perform the only duties she was made to do, to warm the beds of the other gender, she will not break!
No, she will not give in to their definition of her.
After all, she alone can define who she is.
This doesn't mean that she's not the caring daughter she's raised to be, the loving wife she's grown to be, the tough mother she had to be, and the woman society needs her to be.
Oh, yes, she can be all that, and still have a life, can't she?
Just like your sons and men, she could also juggle a career with her responsibilities, couldn't she?
Just like our fatherland, she hopes to give back her part to her homeland.
As God, most high had created Adam, so also he did make Eve.
He gave unto men and sons talents and wisdom, but he never neglected her.
She is also a part of this world. And she is much more than you see her.
If given the chance, encouragement, and support, then you will see that behind that cowering girl is a mighty soldier of the tomorrow.
Face a girl child today, no matter your gender, and tell her "You are special. The creator made you beautiful, and you can be whatever you choose to be. God is your strength."
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