What it means to be a bald and fat little girl.
I tagged along my mom to the barber when I was less than 3 years old. She was bringing my baby sister Carina for a haircut. My parents believed that shaving baby's head will make the hair grow thicker.
I was playing around the barbershop, trying all the chairs one by one, smashing myself againts the glass door, starting a conversation with the cashier and I watched the barber shaving Carina's hair. I was sitting next to the chair where my mom sat with Carina on her lap. The process looked interesting. After observing for a while, I went down from my chair and stood close to my mom. Quietly I told her "Mama, I want to shave my head,too". She was surprised to hear my request. "You want to shave your head too? Really?"
I nodded excitingly "Yes,yes". Mom looked at me intently. Then she said "Okay, I'll tell the barber".
I went back to my chair and then someone came to shave my head. I liked my new look.
Imagine how surprised my dad was when he came home to find his 2 daughters were bald. I was chubby and bald. Older relatives and family friends who don't see me much would remember me as the fat little girl with no hair, by choice.
I still remember this episode of my childhood pretty clear. I have a few photos to remind me as well. But as I grew up, I realize why it remains in my memory; that episode was an acknowledgment from my mother that I have the right to make my own decision and that she respected my decision. My body belongs to me and I am my own (little) person.
I know a few friends in high school and college who don't cut their hair because her mom/dad/boyfriend wanted her hair at a certain length/style. These girls were not allowed to cut their hair. To me its more than just the hair. It's about respecting the right of a girl to choose.
After 3 years with UN Women, I heard too many stories of girls being denied the rights to their own body and girls being denied of their rights to choose and make a decision. The right to receive education (and not get shot like Malala), the right to get proper healthcare (maternal mortality rate in Indonesia is not too far from Gabon and Eritrea.Seriously?!), the right to choose a person to marry and when (This picture is apalling)...the list goes on. Don't get me started on trafficking issue.
As the world celebrates International Women'd Day today, I pray for all girls to have the right to choose and that their choice is respected.
Happy International Women's Day!
I tagged along my mom to the barber when I was less than 3 years old. She was bringing my baby sister Carina for a haircut. My parents believed that shaving baby's head will make the hair grow thicker.
I was playing around the barbershop, trying all the chairs one by one, smashing myself againts the glass door, starting a conversation with the cashier and I watched the barber shaving Carina's hair. I was sitting next to the chair where my mom sat with Carina on her lap. The process looked interesting. After observing for a while, I went down from my chair and stood close to my mom. Quietly I told her "Mama, I want to shave my head,too". She was surprised to hear my request. "You want to shave your head too? Really?"
I nodded excitingly "Yes,yes". Mom looked at me intently. Then she said "Okay, I'll tell the barber".
I went back to my chair and then someone came to shave my head. I liked my new look.
Imagine how surprised my dad was when he came home to find his 2 daughters were bald. I was chubby and bald. Older relatives and family friends who don't see me much would remember me as the fat little girl with no hair, by choice.
I still remember this episode of my childhood pretty clear. I have a few photos to remind me as well. But as I grew up, I realize why it remains in my memory; that episode was an acknowledgment from my mother that I have the right to make my own decision and that she respected my decision. My body belongs to me and I am my own (little) person.
I know a few friends in high school and college who don't cut their hair because her mom/dad/boyfriend wanted her hair at a certain length/style. These girls were not allowed to cut their hair. To me its more than just the hair. It's about respecting the right of a girl to choose.
After 3 years with UN Women, I heard too many stories of girls being denied the rights to their own body and girls being denied of their rights to choose and make a decision. The right to receive education (and not get shot like Malala), the right to get proper healthcare (maternal mortality rate in Indonesia is not too far from Gabon and Eritrea.Seriously?!), the right to choose a person to marry and when (This picture is apalling)...the list goes on. Don't get me started on trafficking issue.
As the world celebrates International Women'd Day today, I pray for all girls to have the right to choose and that their choice is respected.
Happy International Women's Day!
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| With Carina and My bro. Our hair had grown back. |
