A Girl’s Plea

Help us fight

Help us win

And victory it will be

For all generations to come

This is my plea

When I was born

Four ululations were heard

Because I am a girl

When my brother was born

A big celebration was held

Five ululations were heard

Because he is a boy

I was born first

But I went to school second

He was born second

But he went to school first

Always at home

Cooking, sweeping, washing

He only came home to herd our cattle

School became too harsh for me

Always with that tattered uniform

That sincerely exposed what was mine

No food, no water, no clothes

No nothing

I wanted to stop school

But I knew it was the only key

To open the doors to success

I knew of that old man

Fifty years or so

We had seven wives

A lot of cattle

Yet he wanted my hand

In marriage

Oh! What an old man he was

I knew I had to work hard in school

Not to play it cool

For I knew that education

Would be the only prevention

To that gross marriage

To someone not my age

Then, I came to learn

Of the Girl’s Day

And I felt that yearn

I felt very proud

That there was a day

Where we were appreciated

Yet, we still need more than that

We still need help

Teach us how we will run away

From that evil practise

Where a girl is demoralized

FGM it is

From that evil practise

Where a girl is sold off

To someone too old

Who makes her feel cold

Early marriage it is

Help us fight

Help us win

And victory it will be

For all generations to come

This is my plea