When I open my eyes to this world, everyone turns sad.
When they learn my gender, people say oh my God.
When I am small and need my father’s love and kindness, he turns his back on me, giving all his love to his sons instead.
When I speak loudly, everyone tells me “speak softly, it is a shame you are a girl, a girl should speak quietly.”
When I go to the masjeed (mosque), I am told not to look other places, just go straight there and return.
When I am ready to attend school, no one allows me.
When I become sick, no one cares for me.
When I need something or want something, I can’t get it, even if it costs little.
When they want me to marry, they give me no choice and will not hear me.
When I want to defend my rights, they beat me, or kill me.
When I am pregnant, no taking care of me.
When someone asks the father of my children about them, he will not speak his daughters’ names, for fear of bringing shame, and has no pride in them.
When I bear daughters, more than two or three, they try to name my baby Bas bi bi, which means stop bringing girls.
When I bear more daughters, they beat me and marry another woman, and think the fault is mine alone.
When I bear a son, they feed him but I am left uncared for.
You know why?
Because
I am a woman.
Just a woman.
That is my mistake.
Just being a woman.
By Freshta
Freshta — I love this poem and while all of what you say is true you could only write a poem that beautiful BECAUSE YOU ARE A WOMAN! Thank you for sharing this with me.
It’s beautifully written… yet describing a cruel, cruel situation for Afghan women and girls. I’m so sorry and the knowledge you give me through your writing is so important- for me and for all who is reading it.
This is a beautifully written poem, Freshta, that gives a voice to abused women not only in Afghanistan but everywhere. Impressive work.
nice poems blog! Wishing you a Merry Christmas 2009
I can hear you say this one because it’s pattern is so forceful. Good work!
Dear Freshta,
Your poem speaks so loudly and beautifully that any sentient person understands the injustice and pain of your situation. Keep writing! This is truly beautiful.
Thank you for your courage and your clarity.
Just a woman.
That is my mistake.
Just being a woman.
We must all fight, wherever we are, to challenge this truth and change it. You give me purpose. Again, Thank you.
Your sister,
Joanna in Boston MA USA
Thank you for sharing this poem. The sadness of it breaks my heart. Yours in sisterhood.
Because you are a woman your eyes are open to the world.
Because you are a woman you can give birth.
Because you are a woman you are truly special.
More than us men…
I stumbled accross this website doing research for a school paper on the hardships that women of Afghanistan face. I am so overwhelmed with emotion. I have so much respect for the women of your country. No words could describe the way this poem just made me feel. This is amazing work!!! Please remember that without women there would be no men! They would be lost without you. You are the back bone of your families whether the men want to believe/acknowledge it or not. I pray that things change for you. Keep writing!!
Hi Freshta,
I`ll start by saying Happy anniversary! Because today is the International Woman Day. I was browsing the internet to get some quotes for my article for this special day…and I found your poem and my article change- I answered your words in there….http://serenia-words.blogspot.com/
“Be proud to be a woman because you are a fighter…You never gave up when they slander you, you never gave up when they hit you, and you never gave up when they stopped loving you! You carried your disappointment with you for centuries!
Because you are a strong woman!”. I hope I got a good answer in my words for you. See the rest, in there!
Hi Freshta,
Your poem is as beautiful as you are. Period
You define strength, you are a woman indeed and i’m happy to be a woman with you.
Happy International Women’s day Freshta