For Zainab

I’m writing this for the beautiful little doe-eyed darling; Zainab, for myself, for girls her age, for girls my age, for those demanding #JusticeForZainab, and for every victim this Earth has ever witnessed and who have the strength to say #MeToo.

Today, I am sad and angry. Not only because we have seen many, many contemptible creatures curbing their lust by preying on many, many Zainabs. But because I know in future another Zainab will get raped and molested by a vulture and he shall freely stroll around while the mothers shall hide their Zainabs inside the houses knowing that a vulture is outside with his lustful eyes - waiting for his prey. Knowing that it’s always the Zainab who’d get blamed for her gender and never the vulture for his lust.

I’m sad because I saw many little girls outside today - the girls nearly the same age as Zainab. I saw them laughing, playing and running outside - their dupattay swaying behind them brushing against the passerby men and God knows I got scared. I got scared when I realised it could’ve been any girl. Any girl! I got scared realising these men can use ‘a girl’s dupatta brushing his arm’ as an excuse for provoking him. And they’d get away with this excuse because, after all the girl must’ve worn her dupatta properly.

I’m sad because Zainab’s incident reminded me of the time when I was her age & a man tried to assault me. When he tried to put his hands on me and and I shouted at him to go away. That chicken was gone as I shouted but his actions left an imprint on my mind that reappear every time I read about a Zainab from anywhere in the world. I’m sad and angry today because justice in this country has been a far-fetched thought. I’ve seen many hashtags being created only to get forgotten and that is the scariest & saddest reality of justice in this country.

I’m sad and ashamed for Zainab’s parents for people are blaming them for leaving a child behind and not educating her enough. I’m sorry that the parents who’ve lost the happiness of their hearts have to hear such insensitive talk and that Zainab would be forgotten in a few days.

Zainab shall be forgotten. By me, by you. #JusticeforZainab would go unnoticed just like many other justices unserved and this cycle would continue.

 But here I am promising myself that I would do my part in educating girls to speak up and be their own saviour. If my efforts would save even one girl from becoming a prey to the revolting sexual appetite of the pedophiles and rapists, I’d feel accomplished.

Until the justice is finally served, I shall always demand #JusticeforZainab and for all the rape victims of this world.