The struggling child (Ten days of March dayX)

Marking the last piece in this series Ten days of March themed The struggling Child I present to you the piece that inspired this months title. This was rendered at the Oxfam International Women Day  celebration 2020 on the 9tg of March 2020, at the NAF conference center Abuja. See link to watch perfomance YouTube....

We never seek to inspire, because this, right now, is only but a story teller...

I could tell the story of many but I prefer that of a child

At five, she had a dad, but before that, there was another and a brother and in time, she wrote a letter

Dear God,

When I grow up, I want to be a dad. To be the most feared around the house. Not to be beat and pushed around. I don't want to be shamed for my body kind. I don't want to see smelly blood from my body part or told that the one I carry is not his child. I don't want to be looked down on and be told to walk behind. I don't want to stay home on Friday nights because my hair is bad. When I grown up I want to be a dad.

My teachers say the father is the head of the family, but my mummy pays the rent, and my class  teacher Mrs. Raymond, she said the father works the hardest but my mummy's back is bent. Why does she say that when she tells miss Mary that all men are wicked? I don't understand, But my mummy, I see her only at night when I massage her feet but daddy is always home, he never ask what I eat. Dear God when I grow up... I want to read the papers and chew tobacco, I want to drink from beer cans and talk to my friends about Ronaldo.

He is the most feared, but I think he is scared too that's why he never leaves home, but he is not afraid of anything that is what he told his friends that used to come and drink with him two days ago, but if it's safe inside then I want to be a dad.

Daddy said the one before me is good for nothing and does not have a future and I will be like her. But Mummy says I am very smart and can be anything I want.

So dear God if you hear prayers do grant mine and make me a dad.

Your daughter,

Struggling Child.

She believes the society to be a world of titles

If called a dad saves her from all of its scars

Then so be it.

Patriarchy has taught us that a man should be powerful while a woman submissive

And you feel less of a man without your power

While she feels less of a woman with it.

When is the right time to fight for a woman's right.

Every woman was that little girl

Treat them right

Every child deserves a better future

Every child deserves to live their dreams.

Thanks for following this series.