LETTER TO THE GIRL CHILD
LETTER TO THE GIRL CHILD
written by Olalekan Owonikoko
Dear Girl Child,
How ashamed I am writing this to you.
How terrible have I been to you all your life.
As I stand here today, I remember all the things I have done to you,
and I feel so guilty.
The creator gave you to me, a gift to be treasured
Often times, the opposite I have done.
When you were but a child, I should have protected you
For my unreasonable and wild cravings, I molested you.
As you began to mature, a father was what I should have been,
With my empty words and promises, I became your sugar daddy.
Your dreams were mine to encourage, but I was selfish
My perspective was myopic; I failed to educate you.
Even on that day, as you walked into my office
Qualified and fit for the job, I took advantage of you
How much more can I say, of the many evils I have done?
But today, I stand to correct my ways.
The girl child is never to be under-appreciated
She is never to be a victim of a low self-esteem
Neither is she to be seen as feeble or a weakling
She is only to be valued and respected.
The girl child is never to be a mere object
To gratify the selfish desires of the boy child
She is never to be abused and molested
Neither is she to be a handbag for the busy woman nor a slave to her kids
The child girl is never to be prostituted
She is never to be a sweet girl to a sugar daddy
Neither is she to be given out in child marriage
She is never to be uneducated
The girl child is never to be a victim of injustice at any level
The girl child is never to be a victim of divorce, battery or any form of prejudice
She is forever to be loved, cherished and appreciated
She is forever to be seen as a queen that she is
She is forever to be defended, protected and nurtured
She is forever to be allowed to dream and given the liberty to fulfill her dreams
Yes! She is a girl child
Now I know, and soon, every other boy child will know.
I apologize for my incessant innuendos.
I promise to be better.
Yours sincerely,
The Boy Child
Olalekan Owonikoko is a singer, writer and blogger.