Parwana Amiri is an author, poet and activist from Afghanistan who is living in Greece since September 2019. Her poetry may seem softly written, but it contains hidden stories and bitter truths.
In the society we live in, our voices, our existence and our abilities have stayed hidden but our body has been highlighted by the eyes and naked mind of men and sometimes even women.
This poem is a direct call to all those who could not understand the meaning of being a sister, a mother, a girl and a wife who has always sacrificed herself for her loved ones, but yet has never been able to defend her own rights .
With lots of love and respect for women of my country who have been always forced to stay hidden and silent under Chadory. Who have nevertheless still been courageous to stay active and inspire.
Illustration by Nazgol Golmuradi
The Idea of this painting is all my own, from the bottom of my heart. You can see a naked woman, with the mandatory cover and veil. For many years, women in Iran have been denied the right to choose their own clothing and their rights are violated by this kind of cover. We Iranian women want the world to know that Iran’s media coverage of women does not represent the majority of society. We wish to live freely, regardless of cover and to say no to the obligatory veil and be allowed to choose for ourselves to wear it or not.
My body is covered, what about your eyes ?
.
I am not naked
If you cover your eyes I am not weak
If you train your brain
Don’t marry me for sex
If you have ex in your life
.
Don’t punish me when !
You can’t achieve respect
Don’t expect , respect !
When you punish my sound
.
Don’t cover me with pains. I know
You want to beat me, hurt me, shout at me
But you can’t touch me or violate me
.As there are strong united hands behind me
.
If the world wants to destroy me us
Then my words will construct me us
The world does not know the sense
Of being a mother, a sister
A girl, a wife among demons,
And still raise the sails for freedom