Simran
What does life as a woman or girl look like in your country / city / town / village? Any issues / challenges / exciting milestones? I think life in India as a woman is quite challenging. There is always this constant fear that when you're returning from classes at some late hour, you might not reach home at all. When you're walking on the streets, there are guys openly checking us out. And India is a country where law and order has failed us... 38,947 women raped in 2018. This has become a national issue, but it is something that has to be corrected and eradicated from the roots of the society.
What would you like the world to know about YOU? What life experience, challenge or achievement do you want to share? What obstacles have you faced and overcome? Well, I am a 16 year old student and there is this particular experience I want to talk about. Every woman isn't the same, and I was still learning to fight against the cruel world at that point.
I took classes with a teacher and for some reason he always made me sit in the first bench. Slowly, I realised that the reason why he did that was to touch my hands and thighs. I, of course, didn't like it. But I am not the only one he did that to. But being a 16 year old girl, with no one to guide me and the others, we could never stand up against him. So we resorted to sitting in the last benches. Or told our male friends to sit beside us. After a while, thankfully he stopped.
What are you most passionate about and what are you doing with that passion? I love science. I love biology and chemistry. I love reading about the science of the human body and how it functions.
What's your definition of success? Success for me, would be to become the best version of myself.
How have the women and girls around you helped you to get to where you are today? My mother has always inspired me with her strong and resilient spirit. My grandmother has taught me to be wise and understanding. Every woman and every person in my life has taught me something that has helped me to grow and become the person I am today.
Looking externally into the public sphere, what female public figure inspires you the most to achieve your dreams? My inspirations are Priyanka Chopra and Ariana Grande. Priyanka Chopra, because I love how she, with her own hard work and determination has become what she has today. A global influencer working for the betterment of the world. And Ariana Grande, simply because she is doing what she loves in the way she wants to do it. She inspires me to be a free spirit.
Describe yourself in one word: "I am... WEIRD. (Wonderful Exciting Intelligent Real Different)
Complete this sentence: "To be a girl or woman today, is to be..." strong and to be able to inspire and spread the message to all the young girls out there to stand up for themselves and to love themselves for the way they are.