I Never Wanted to Hate Being a Girl

 "I Never Wanted to Hate Being a Girl"

I live in a country where being born a girl often feels like a curse.

I hate being a girl.

I never wanted to be one. If it were possible, I would change my gender without a second thought.

From the day you're born until the day you die, you're expected to listen, obey, and be grateful—for everything.

Even getting an education is treated like a blessing instead of a basic right.

"You should be grateful we're allowing you to study."

"Who spends this much money on a daughter?"

"Look at the other girls your age. Some are even younger than you. They're married. They have children."

"When I was your age, I already had three kids."

"The opportunities you have today are only because of us."

And the painful part?

These words aren't spoken by strangers.

They're spoken by a woman.

By a mother.

By the person who gave birth to me.

Every single day, I'm reminded how much money is being spent on my education, as if my dreams come with a price tag.

"I'm spending lakhs of rupees on you. Who does that for a daughter? Can you give me one example?"

I never asked to be born.

As a child, did I ask you to give birth to me?

Parents choose to have children because they believe it will bring happiness into their lives.

If bringing a child into this world is your decision, then isn't giving that child love, care, and the freedom to dream also your responsibility?

Why should a child have to spend their entire life proving they deserved to be born?

If you're a girl, you're expected to be grateful for everything.

Grateful for studying.

Grateful for freedom.

Grateful for being allowed to dream.

Sometimes it feels like I should be grateful just for being allowed to breathe.

Is being a girl a crime?

Why do I have to beg for things that should be basic rights—equal education, equal freedom, equal opportunities?

If a boy moves to another city to study, it's normal.

If a girl does the same, suddenly everyone has questions.

Why?

If a man can live alone to study and build his future, why can't a woman?

I don't understand why I have to prove myself at every step for things that should never have needed proof.

It hurts.

More than people realize.

For me, being a girl is the biggest regret of my life...

Thanks to this society and my family for making me hate my existence.