THE FUTURE I SEE

When I think about the future, I see more opportunities for women to have their voices heard opening up. I see girls that had dropped out of school due to one reason or the other have the opportunity to learn and be meaningful members of the society, and more opportunities to go back. I am not deluded by promises of total eradication of poverty, or the total emancipation of women in the nearest future; I know that such things take decades to achieve and only through perseverance in the course of development for women.

I know I might not see women walking free and without fear on every street in every city in my life time, but I know it will happen in some cities. I know I can make a difference in one life today, who maybe will birth the generation that completes the change for the better for women everywhere. That is why I keep doing what I am doing, because I know I can touch a life, and contribute to change the future for the better for generations to come.

I dream of a life where every child goes to bed with a full stomach, and every girl and woman has a happy home. I work towards making life easier for those who do not have enough, and who live with fear most days in their lives. My vision for myself finds me at the forefront in defending the rights of girls and women worldwide. My vision for myself finds me speaking up for countless women who do not have the opportunity to do so themselves. My vision for myself finds me being part of a worldwide cause to empower woman-kind. I want to see a society that provides for those women who lack, that support those who can’t stand, and defend those who need it. I want to see a society that punishes those who harm women regardless of their societal, political or financial status; a place where every woman can be sure to get justice.

When I started this journey of ‘voices of our future’, I had a vision of sharing what I had experienced and learning from others. I had thought of the women who I would meet during the cause of this program. It was a new experience for me to be able to share what I had heard or seen with a larger community by writing. I have gotten this and so much more. I am inspired daily to keep on moving on the course I have chosen, I have shared in the lives of other women who I have never met, but feel a connection with because of our similar experiences, interests and goals.

I want to be a ‘voices of our future’ correspondent because I want to speak up for others so they can be heard by all. I want to share what I see every day and spark a movement for positive change with my words. Being part of the ‘voices of our future’ will develop skills in me that will support my desire to speak on behalf of women all over, sharing their stories and connecting them with others around the world. It will help me learn how to best bring attention and focus on pertinent issues that affect the health, empowerment and rights of girls and women everywhere in our world.