The sun shined bright and the birds chirped cheerfully while the trees bloomed which made every road look beautiful. All the shops hung boards saying, "Women's Day exclusive offer!!! 8-80% off on products!!!" But the sight inside Sri Nandhan School's auditorium was contrast.

It was filled with people either gloomy or uninterested in the 'Women's Day Programme' and there were pupils on the stage talking about the women achievers they knew.

The teacher called the next student, Ahalya of class XI to give her speech. The girl in checked-black and red uniform with a ponytail climbed up the stage and started delivering her speech.

"Hey!! Good morning, guys." As Ms Divya said, "I'm Ahalya of class XI. Before going into the topic, I can see many gloomy faces here. Why is that so? Can anyone tell me?" she inquired.

"It's because we're hearing the same stories every year. Same old stories about the same achievers every year." A voice replied from the crowd of at least 500 students and parents. She just chuckled and continued to address her speech.

"Oh really? Then I think that you won't be gloomy anymore because I am not going to talk about any achievers you have known. Actually, it's about one of us. You guys have been hearing about all the good things, right? Let us talk about reality for some time. So, the topic I am going to speak about is 'An Anti-feminist' or you can also call them a sexist.

Since I don't know whether you guys know the actual meaning of feminism, let me explain it to you guys. Feminism is not about publicising that femineity is greater than masculinity or any other gender. It is all about saying that every gender on this damn planet is equal.

Second, who are sexists? They are people who judge others according to the clothes they wear. They are people who say that a girl who comes late at night is not sanskari (cultured) while their son does the same thing. They are the ones who blame the victim of a rape. They are the people who have set standards like, a man shouldn't cry like a girl, a man shouldn't dress up like a girl, a man shouldn't wear makeup like a girl. They are the people who say that women are always one step below men. They are the people call the women who prioritise their careers as selfish. They are the people who looked down on men who are stay at home dads. Overall, they are the people who don't see a fellow human being of another gender as an equal.

Now, let us dive into real-life incidents. I know a family of three with a grandfather, a mother, and a teenage girl. The grandfather wants to see his granddaughter safe before he dies. Sweet right? It is not. Let me tell you why. The grandfather wants to see his granddaughter safe and secure in someone else's hand just because she is a girl and there will not be a man in their family after him. He thinks that a girl cannot be safe all alone. There is nothing wrong with that. But shouldn't he teach the girl how to live in this society?

The next incident was when I heard my parents telling me to sit like a girl, laugh like a girl etc., I have an unsolved doubt. I don't know why none comes forward to clear it. Why should a girl sit, laugh, and dress up like a girl when she is already a girl? please don't tell me that men will be provoked by seeing us. First, a man should not be provoked however we dress. And if at all they are provoked, you should teach them not to.

I have seen my aunties borrowing money from the money lenders for their daughters. As you think, it is not for their education. It is for their dowry. So, to the ones who don't know the meaning of dowry, it is just something you give to the groom's family to buy their son. You will indeed buy the groom but will send the bride to their home not as a daughter in law but as a slave. The funny thing is, the groom and his family will shamelessly ask for more dowry and will abuse the bride. If the girl goes and tells this to her family, all they will say to her is to adjust. The result: The death of Vismaya, Mofiya Praveen, Suchitra and many more which were not brought to the light. Why is this happening? Is it because of the victim who was not allowed to voice out loud? Or is it because of the people who abused her? Or is it because of the people who asked her to adjust?

All the fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers sitting over here! Most of you go to work right? And there are women working with you right? Imagine them getting promoted. It may be you or someone else. It may be a man or another woman. But definitely at least one will pass a comment. One will say, "She came just a year ago and she got a promotion this soon? She would definitely have some nice and hot tricks up her sleeves" that too with a smirk. All I want to ask is, why should a woman get promoted because of how she behaves with her male superior? Why should a working woman get compared to her male colleagues? Why shouldn't she get promoted because of her talent? Why shouldn't she get paid based on how she works and not based on her gender?

"Forgetfulness is the national disease of our country!" You guys have heard many villains say this right? It is indeed true. Let me tell you guys why. A SCHOOL GOING TEENAGE GIRL COMMITS SUICIDE BECAUSE OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT BY A TEACHER. A WOMAN GANGED RAPED.

Don't these headlines seem familiar? How would it not be? They are the cases that we were seeking justice for. But how? By sharing memes and videos regarding it. We were determined in seeking justice indeed. But when we heard about an upcoming movie or a famous power couple getting divorced, we left it all forlorn. Then, we heard about much more interesting news and forgot about these cases. I guess even the media, courts and the government forgot about them.

The cases are still pending in the court while the accused are wandering around us happily as if they have done no mistake. I know we cannot go back in time and fight for the victims again. But, if you guys come forward, we can fight for the future victims and even prevent something like this to happen. And I am very sure that if we fight and get justice, then, no woman will fear to come forward and file a complaint about the harasser.

You guys may think about what I am going to do or gain from telling you about all these. I know I cannot change every one of you sitting before me. But I believe that at least one of you has been changed. And you can change another and that another one can change yet another person. At last, everyone will make sure to make this heart a beautiful place without sexism for our future generations to live happily. With this, I am ending my speech. Thanks to the school management for giving me this wonderful opportunity. And, thank you all for listening to me patiently."

Ahalya got off the stage while the whole auditorium clapped and cheered for her.

Both Ahalya and I have put forth some questions before you. Pass on these questions to others and be a reason for then change. HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY💜~

See you guys... Until then,

BE SAFE. BE YOU. BE HAPPY

With love,

~Nila💜🌙

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