BECAUSE I AM A GIRL - I MUST STUDY By Kamla Bhasin

2013 VOF POETRY

BECAUSE I AM A GIRL – I MUST STUDY
A father asks his daughter:
Study ? Why should you study?
I have sons a plenty 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

To avoid destitution, I must study
To win independence, I must study
To fight frustration, I must study
To find inspiration, 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

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 hate, 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 create a world where girls belong, I must study
Because I am a girl, I must study.