Gulchehra Begum
I am a woman
From the tribe of Gawharshad Begum,
From the blood of Rabia.
I have the right to be equal, to choose,
To express myself, to protest,
To be safe, to have custody,
To work, to study,
And to select my own attire.
I am a woman, a person.
I am neither weak nor “half-brained.”
I am a woman from a country
Where women’s laughter and song is prohibited
To prevent men from feeling sinful,
But I am a free woman.
I will tear apart this prison.
I will think independently.
I will laugh as I want.
My laughter is not a sign of promiscuity.
This laughter is a rebellion against oppression.
—
Note: Women and girls in Afghanistan are often told not to laugh out loud because it is deemed improper and a distraction to men.
Read this poem in Persian here.