gender equality- siddhi jairath

Special thanks to Ms. Lekha (my English teacher) for helping myself and Archit write this poem.

Siddhi: Stereotypes, equality, genders - things to think about wouldn’t you say?

Arjun: At home, the situation is…

Siddhi: Why can’t you ever help out with the dishes?

Arjun: But provide the food is what I do

Siddhi: You don’t even help with the kids!

Arjun: I can’t! That’s taboo!

Siddhi: and at a party, the gossip is…

Arjun: (whispering) Did you hear she earns more than her husband.

Siddhi: So what? Can’t I earn more than you! (whispering) And did you see him in that pink shirt?

Arjun: What’s your point? Can’t I love pink too?

Siddhi: And in school, this is what happened

Arjun: She wasn’t allowed to play football!

Siddhi: Why is that? She hadn’t even tried out

Arjun: And you see that boy there, he was crying.

Siddhi: So what? A man’s emotions aren’t a drought!

Arjun: and this is what happens with parents,

Siddhi: Mom said I shouldn’t wear trousers, I’m meant to wear dresses,

Arjun: and Dad said I can’t have long hair,

Siddhi: We’re made to ignore 'Equality',

Arjun: While we’re taught that it’s supposed to be there.

Siddhi: We’re crumbling under the societal pressure,

Together: Of having to act a certain way,

Arjun: We follow norms to prove our gender,

Together: But since when do others have the say?

Siddhi: Should what I feel stay within me?

Arjun: Should my right to express be dictated by society?

Siddhi: Should these words remain unsaid?

Arjun: Should I really have to die inside with so much anxiety?

Siddhi: Should these pages remain unturned?

Arjun: Should we allow these wounds to continue to bleed?

Siddhi: Who assigned these actions to genders?

Together: And set rules on how to behave?

Arjun: Is equality alive in our society?

Together: Or is it lying, silent, dead, in a grave?

Siddhi: Let’s get rid of ideas stereotypical

Arjun: Let’s break this myth of equality

Together: Let’s smash through the wall of rules.

Let’s together create a better and equal reality.