Our hearts melted when we received this poem!  After attending our luncheon, Raj Malhotra discussed gendercide with his son Nikhil.  Raj explained how his own mother, a very intelligent woman, was not allowed to attend high school in India because she was a girl.  Together Raj and Nikhil wrote this beautiful poem.  We offer a huge thank you to Raj, Nikhil, and male allies who stand up for women!  That takes more courage — more manliness — than being a silent bystander.

Original Poem written by father and son – Raj and Nikhil Malhotra

Did you know 140 million girls and woman are missing this day?
How can we change this, and give them a say?

To transform her future from bleak to bright.
Let her soar like a kite.

Gendercide is the elimination of women and girls.
Women and girls are society’s pearls.

Why can I not go to school to learn?
That way my place in the world, I can earn.

Who should I marry?
Let me make that decision, and my own weight, I will carry.

When do I have a child?
Today, I can’t remember the last time I smiled.

Successful and happy is what I really want to be.
That is what gets beaten out of me.

I will work hard to not be poor.
I am a doer!

On her future, every girl deserves a say.
Please let her get educated so she can support her family with her pay.

Only allowing one child!
Means girls will continue to be exiled. 

We need to educate!
Selecting boys over girls is something we need to eradicate.

We need to educate!
Gendercide is something we need to eradicate.

 Please donate to the Gendercide Awareness Project which supports this worthy cause!

Girls should be protected and allowed to be educated, we need to change/enforce the laws.

Note: Raj has written a movie script titled “Ashes Journey”. It is a powerful, empowering story about a South Asian Women’s journey to true happiness. Rajm4@hotmail.com