I want to share my sorrow with you all today. I feel that it’s a crime, being born a girl. I am born a girl and so, I have no right, to anything. I was never happy being one.

I am a Muslim girl. My name is Asma. I am 22 years old.

The Muslims cover their girls, as everyone knows and so, I was also always covered. When I was born, neither my father, nor my granny were happy. To add to this, my mom was unhappy that she bore a girl child.

As I grew up, my parents even though they were unhappy having had a girl, did all they could for me. They treated me well, and gave me everything they could. Then, something happened that made me see the difference. I had a new baby brother. My family was overjoyed. There were celebrations.

I was nine when I started to notice subtle differences in the way both of us were treated. I had food, clothing, shelter. But I had no love, no respect, no support. Moreover, I had no say, not even the right to make friends, male or female. I wanted a mum who could be my best friend but it seemed like I demanded more than I deserved.

I had no one to talk to, no one to share my pain and joy with, nobody, who cared about what I wanted to eat.

I was thirsty for love and attention. I fell in love when I was 18, finally I thought my search for love had ended. He loved me and supported me, unlike my family, but, all this was because he wanted a sexual relationship. He turned out to be a fake penny. It was my first and worst mistake.

I sacrificed my purity and was unhappy with this decision. I told my parents about it.

The next thing that happened to me was devastating. My parents stopped my education. They grounded me. I am now a jailed bird. My house has become a jail for me. I lost my freedom and the few friends I had managed to make. I know I’d made a mistake, but I deserved a second chance, to explore my dreams, to achieve my goals.

I am 22, and I am going to be married into a typical family where I shall be living like a full-time maid.

This is my story, this is my pain. All I want is some love, trust, support, which my family never gave me, and I’m sure my husband won’t give me either.

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