letter to Rifdah

Dear Rifadh,

 Hello my name is Shabanu, and I am 12 years old. I live in Pakistan in the desert. In a year, I am going to marry my cousin murad. My family and I are nomads and move to a different place each time our toba dries up. This is very difficult for me because I have no say in this.  I have a sister named Phulan and she was going to marry our cousin hamir but sadly, he got shot.

 In my country there is a lot of violence from the taliban, and lack in water. There is also a lot of discrimination towards women and girls. We are forced into marriage and relationships, we are sold off to men for money, we are forced into slavery, and we are killed or hurt if we do anything wrong. But there are also some instances where women are not treated as badly as I am describing, but they are rare.

Just like many girls, I was forced into marrying murad. Luckily he is nice and would never do anything to harm me. we have grown up together playing games and things like that. There is no way I could change any of this, but I am just so lucky and grateful that he is kind. Just like how you are being forced to move to yemen and be a housewife, I am also a housewife and have been working since I was very young and have not much of a problem with it.

I have heard that in your country a lot of women give birth around 25 or 29 years of age, that is the same as my country! I have also heard that your country is sunni just like my country. I am very glad that we have so many things in common!

 I wanted to ask you if you are going to do anything about the decisions your father made for you because i have heard a few stories where women rebel against their fathers and husbands and terrible things always happen! I would not like it if someone hurt you just for saying your opinion.  

 I have also heard that you got second place in the international quran memorization competition. I am glad that a girl can win and I am very proud of you. I don’t think I could ever do something like that! Good luck with your father!

                 

                                                            

                                                  From shabanu,

Leave a Reply