Who are you standing for?
Today, October 11th, 2014 coincidentally is my nephews second birthday. He is an independent and
adventurous child who "speaks" his mind and holds his own. He is
already ahead of the game not having to envision dealing with the 2nd class
status his age mates globally are dealing with. My role as an aunt is to
contribute to his being raised as a boy who
values girls, a young man who respects women, a husband who will see his wife
as an equal, a father who will love his girl-child and boy-child the same, and
most importantly a male advocate and global citizen fighting for social justice
and freedom!
In his
presidential proclamation, President Obama states "On International Day of the
Girl, we stand with girls, women, and male and female advocates in every
country who are calling for freedom and justice, and we renew our commitment to
build a world where all girls feel safe, supported, and encouraged to pursue
their own measure of happiness."
What is my
reality? As I stand up as a girl standing up for other girls, I am free
to breath, free to think. I did not have to put up a fight to get an education,
and of May 15th 2014, I am a doctor. I have the freedom of expression, I can
train for an upcoming half marathon running on the sidewalks and trails without
fear for my life. My voice has been heard, and continues to be heard.
I am treated
as a first class citizen to the best of society's ability living in the United
States, BUT I am still fighting for fair wages and to be treated as an equal at
the table instead of dealing with sexual harassment in professional settings; BUT that is nothing in comparison to the fight of not wanting to be married off
at the age of 9, not wanting to go through traditional rituals of female
genital circumcision, not being able to go to school and be educated, falling
prey to human traffickers, domestic violence, rape, my rights as a girl being
violated every second, every minute, every hour, every day, every week, every month
of every year!
Enough is enough...this cycle has to end! A new day has to come
to STAND UP, KEEP STANDING UNTIL THE PAST REMAINS THE PAST, THE PRESENT AND THE
FUTURE REFLECT A WORLD OF EDUCATED, EMPOWERED, ENLIGHTENED girls living up to
their full potential!
Malala spoke
and stood up and this week was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize! We too need to
stand up in solidarity...She is my #SHE Hero
I stand with
50/50 Leadership
I stand with
UN Women
I stand with
DAWN (Diaspora of African's Women Network)
I stand with
CASE (Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation)
I stand with
AAUW (American Association of University Women)
i stand with
ALARM (African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries)
I stand with
Global Fund for Women
I stand with
the daughters, sisters, aunts, mothers, grandmothers around the world
I stand as a
girl who grew up
I stand up
as a young lady finding my footing in the world
I stand as a
future wife
I stand as a
future mother
I stand as a
mentor
I stand as a
voice that will not be silenced
I stand
because my sisters around the world need me to stand and KEEP standing!
