WOMEN'S MONTH: WEEK 2

 YOUNG GIRL TO TEENAGE ADULT

I often wonder where the future of our next generation is, what will become of them?, Do they even have role models?, Do they aspire to be anything other than what they grew up seeing?. Young girls carrying out their parents visions of what they hoped they would become, a generation that is so greatly influenced by what they see on mainstream pop culture. 

I know a six year old young girl that wakes Up to no water nor electricity and has to walk X Amount of kilometres to school because "Education is the key to success" or atleast that's what we've heard all our lives.

I know a 7 year old young girl that lives with an abusive stepfather and dreads sunset because all she can think of is what "Dad" is going to do to her whilst mom is asleep, she can't even come out and say it because "You don't speak badly of your elders" or atleast that's what we know.

I know a thirteen year old young girl that waits for all her friends to get picked up by their parents in lavish cars and is too ashamed to be seen using public transport.

I know a fourteen year old young girl who points out a nice neighborhood because she is too ashamed to be seen living in a shack.

I know a fifteen year old young girl who doesn't meet the netball team squard requirements, disproportioned body and Mama Joyce is her name as she reminds them of the lady that sells fatcakes outside the schoolyard.

I know a sixteen year old young girl who just fell pregnant and is struggling to come to terms with becoming a parent at her age and is handed out a pamphlet by a stranger on the street with a quick way out of that "embarrassment" by some self qualified Dr Abedingo.

I know a seventeen year old young girl who just lost both her parents and is now contemplating dropping out of high school because mom and dad left nothing now there are four siblings to feed and she ends up on the corner of Kloof Street.

I know a nineteen year old young girl who comes from an impoverished background and didn't qualify for a scholarship and now has a year of heading to the wrong direction because she has 24hrs a day of complete boredom.

I know young girls that are stuck in relationships that never even begun because if she's seen holding hands with "Thando" then that means She's the hottest thing since sliced bread.

I know young girls that didn't see Dad in the household so they end up going to Sandton to look for him, fancy suite, nicely trimmed beard, fat wallet, oh that must be him because after all Daddy is a Provider.

I know of a young girl that saved herself for marriage until one late evening on her way from the shop a group of men cornered her and raped her behind the bushes and just like that she lost all her innocence.

To the generation that comes after me ,young girls with dreams and aspirations, future scientists, lawyers, doctors, teacher's and artists here's a message for you. There is so much to life than the moon and stars you gazed at until dawn. No matter how plain a woman may be if truth and honesty are written across her face, she will forever be beautiful.

Beauty comes from knowing who you really are, Beauty is self acceptance and knowing and understanding your worth, Beauty is independence being able to aspire to be things greater than what you grew up being surrounded by. Beauty is Strength being able to face each and every challenge head on because you know that you can conquer almost everything. Beauty is love being able to love yourself first but also have a genuine love for others without wanting to be rewarded. Beauty is being proud in all your flaws and understanding that nobody is perfect but instead embracing what you do have. Beauty is confidence and most importantly beauty is being comfortable in your own skin.

You are greater than your mistakes, and what's life without a couple of hiccups and bad Decisions. You can fall flat 8 times and still get back up on the 9th and remember there's always room for improvement. There is no such thing as failure just a wrong path that will help you refocus and get back on the right path. Live an honest and truthful life but above all live a life with purpose.

So to the Grandmother's, Mother's, Aunts and Big Sisters out there what have you done to help shape the future Mother's,Aunts and Big Sisters of today?