Nada Al-Ahdal | Exposed-watermelon minds see themselves as flies

Exposed-watermelon minds see themselves as flies
You have pestered us with the open watermelon and the closed watermelon, the wrapped chocolate and the covered chocolate
O watermelon minds, we girls are not watermelons or sugar, and if you are flies, that is your business
We are human beings, we are people, we are exactly like you: we have minds that think and hearts that beat with life
We have our dreams, and we have our duties in this life, like all human beings on earth
We are not a commodity to be sold, bought and traded under the names of marriage and commercial contracts
Nor are we slaves to men and males, with our ownership passed from fathers and guardians to other, strange men
We have all rights and freedoms, we have the ability to influence society and to carry out our duties in life; we have what you have, and we owe what you owe
We do not belittle men, nor do we belittle women
We do not demand that woman stand behind man or in front of him; we demand that woman be man's partner, at man's side, with equal rights, freedoms and duties, no more and no less
As for those with exposed-watermelon minds: if you are a fly, that is your business, but most men are truly great and see woman as a human being, a great being and a partner in their lives.

Nada Al-Ahdal | Human rights activist against child marriage