Today's Woman

“Grandma! Grannnn maaaaa!!!”

“What is it Ann? What is the fuss about?”

“Today is International Women’s day! It was all over Facebook and Twitter. So I brought you some flowers.”

“Set them down on the table. You’re a darling, thank you.”

“I have a question”

Grandma raised her eyebrows. Ann never stopped asking questions. It was a habit she had acquired as a little girl when she used to visit her grandmother with her hair in pigtails and freckles on her nose. Ten questions for granny, she called it. Today, she stood at six feet with her copper hair burnished to perfection through the eighteen years of her life. And so began Ann’s questions:

"Why is she judged when she speaks out and has strong opinions? Why is she labeled a “bitch” for being outspoken and honest?

Why do the men stare her down when she enters the board room with her head held high? Why do the magazines strip her of her clothes?

Why do the men stare as soon as she stands up and turns her back to them? Why do they call her ugly when she carries an extra few pounds?

Why is she blamed when the children turn out rotten? Why is she shunned when her husband files for divorce?

What of the men in their vests, with their mistress’ hanging on their arms? What of their affairs, condescending remarks and insulting jibes?"

In all her years, Grandma had not yet discovered a single answer to satisfactorily put an end to these questions. But she told the young woman in front of her something she hoped would remain with her all her life.

“For you see dear girl, you are not living in a very fair world. But there is hope yet and let us remind ourselves that today. Stand with your sisters in times of need. Prove you can work just as hard as any man. And raise your daughter’s right. Believe in yourself, and don’t allow the world to tell you anything else. No matter what enhancements a man prefers or which attributes he believes you should have, you must be true to yourself first. Brave the storm and carry on. Only you can make a change and see a better tomorrow. A brighter tomorrow, for the woman of today.”

Ann whipped out her phone and clicked on the Instagram App. Upload “selfie”. Caption: Let’s build a brighter tomorrow, for the woman of today. #womensday2015 #makeithappen

Maalika Kazia