Nia is one of our Eating Disorder Associates. Here she shares a poem she wrote for International Women’s Day.
I am a white cis-gendered woman with many more privileges than most
I’m not deemed ‘other’// like trans-women or single mothers
Who are raising four children alone
I’m listened to and heard because I had an education// with frustration
I learn that 62 million girls are denied this education all over the world
I didn’t earn my privileges, like they didn’t earn their poverty
Just like a women’s body is not a commodity
So I raise my voice for the ‘other’ women, the ones who we deny
The basic necessities of this life
And I’m fighting for equality, not because I want to be
Better than my male counterparts// who are still paid more than me
Luckily, we are so far from the beginning// of this fight for equality
With the female abolitionists and suffragettes to thank
Who yanked, changes through society
But we still have progress to go –
We are asking for little and big all at the same time
The elimination of rape crime// it being beautiful to have size 12 thighs
CEO of large corporate companies// not being accompanied by makeup wherever we go
Having children by our own choosing// not having to pretend we find football amusing
An equal representation in parliament// to share our disheartened and not be seen as weak
So here’s to women
The women with fear hidden in their hearts
Who continue to rise and play a part// in changing the world
The women who disregard cultural norms
Who cause storms by breaking the silence and saying// me too
The women who can make the mountain taller// so future generations can see further
The women who chase their passion// fearlessly with no abandon
The women who raise their voices and the men who open their ears
