“We Can’t Breathe, We Are Not Free, Help!” – Concerned Uniben Student Laments

I love to live, it’s my right.
I love to dress, it’s my choice.
I love to be educated, don’t deny me.
I love to grow, it’s in my nature.

… but the society’s attitude is making me confused;

When I wear trousers, the society would say it reveals my body and it tempts the lustful rapist.

When I wear a skirt, the society would say it is a loosed clothes for the lustful rapist!

Then, when I wear a gown, the society says they will see me so vulnerable.

What should we wear then?

When we go to school, we meet rapists, because the school produces them too.

When we go to the market we meet rapists, because there they are – buying and selling.

When we go to church, they are there too, because they are there for hypocritical worship.

When we go up, there they hang, and down – it’s their base.

Where should we go?

“I can’t breathe”, it shouldn’t be a crime that I am a girl-child.

Honestly I’m tired of living in fear knowing that one day it could be me or my sisters or any of my close friends.

All I want is freedom to ‘breathe’!

• Concerned Uniben Student, Esther.