Paulo Coelho writes in The Alchemist, “When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it.”

So going by this concept, when a girl grows up with a bunch of lofty dreams and goals in her mind, things around her change and work in her favour. She just has to be steadfast. There may come hurdles, but it doesn’t mean that she should stop.

But sometimes these hurdles take a sharp turn and change the situation completely. For instance, some girls are taught to stay inside their homes after they have completed their basic education. This is where these girls find themselves under limitations.

As they say, “If you are born poor, it’s not your mistake, but if you die poor it is your mistake.”

I believe that every young girl should achieve her dreams. Though our society will hold her back from reaching out for her dreams, it doesn’t mean she should stop. Dreams give positivity and strength, and help mould one’s life so you can just not stay in the circumstances you were born in. Instead you can make the best out of your abilities and earn everything that you want or dreamt of having someday. Dreams might seem unrealistic, but they can make the impossible possible.

Unfortunately, in our part of the world, most girls from a very young age are restricted from a lot of things that boys have access to, such as education and a career. The family and society decide her future.

Who will put an end to this pathetic system? Who will change people’s minds so that girls can also have a say in matters concerning them and pursue their dreams?

There are so many smart, intelligent and hardworking girls out there, but few of them get the chance to reach their full potentials. And the rest just bury their dreams and are never able to attain them because of their family and the negative forces in society.

Life is precious. Life is about making your dreams and goals come true. If we are here today, it’s because we all have a purpose and the purpose is to achieve something, be successful and make this life worthy and delightful by being our true selves.

Every woman should be financially independent. It doesn’t matter who your father is, who is your brother and who is going to be your husband. A woman has her own identity and she should be taught from the childhood that she is independent. She should strive to be financially independent, just like boys in our society.

So all those girls, reading this, I would urge you to never stop dreaming, and work hard to achieve your goals. Pave the way for those who are still bound with restrictions, let our country progress since we make up half the population. Let’s do this together!

Published in Dawn, Young World, July 2nd, 2022