ASISC Zonal Level Declamation Competition 2022-23

Summary

The speaker shares her journey from a challenging marriage at 18 to a life-altering accident that left her paralyzed. Despite societal perceptions, she found solace in birds and pursued a career as a TV anchor in Pakistan, challenging norms and advocating for women's rights. She humorously addresses the wage gap and the need for equal pay, highlighting International Women's Day and the importance of education for girls worldwide.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The speaker emphasizes the importance of viewing oneself as 'differently abled' rather than 'disabled'.
• 💔 The speaker's life was significantly impacted by a marriage arranged by her father and a subsequent accident that left her paralyzed.
• 🦅 The speaker found solace and healing in the presence of birds, symbolizing the power of nature to uplift the human spirit.
• 🎤 She decided to pursue a career in media, joining a national TV station in Pakistan as an anchor, showcasing resilience and determination.
• 🎓 The speaker was working and studying simultaneously, balancing her job in a women's clothing department with her academic commitments.
• 👗 An interaction at her workplace revealed societal curiosity and sometimes intrusive behavior towards individuals who appear different.
• 🤔 The speaker experienced an uncomfortable encounter where she was asked personal questions by a customer, highlighting the need for personal boundaries.
• 🏆 The customer's suggestion that the speaker could be the next Miss USA was met with disgust, indicating the speaker's disapproval of superficial beauty standards.
• 📢 The speaker imitates a feminist named Miss Lily Sink, using humor to address serious issues like the wage gap and the need for equal pay for women.
• 🌍 International Women's Day is highlighted as an important occasion to advocate for gender equality, but it is not an official holiday in the U.S.
• 📚 The script ends with a focus on education, emphasizing the 131 million girls who are in need of support, underlining the global importance of educational access for girls.

Q & A

What is the speaker's perspective on being disabled?

The speaker views herself as 'differently abled' rather than disabled, emphasizing her abilities over her disability.

How did the speaker's life change after her marriage?

Her marriage was unhappy, and after two years, she had an accident that resulted in paralysis, significantly altering her life.

What realization did the speaker have after her accident?

The speaker realized that she needed to find healing and strength within herself, and she was particularly moved by the power of birds to heal the soul.

Why did the speaker decide to join the national TV of Pakistan as an anchor?

The speaker decided to join as an anchor to overcome the feeling of being imperfect in a world that values perfection and to demonstrate her abilities.

How long has the speaker been working as an anchor on national TV?

The speaker has been doing shows for the last three years.

What incident occurred at the woman's clothing department that the speaker found offensive?

A woman approached the speaker and asked personal questions, such as if she was born in the country, had children, was married, and about her age, which the speaker found intrusive and offensive.

What was the woman's comment that the speaker found particularly offensive?

The woman suggested that the speaker could be the next Miss USA, which the speaker found offensive and inappropriate.

What is the speaker's stance on International Women's Day?

The speaker supports International Women's Day and uses it as an opportunity to advocate for equal pay for women in the workplace.

Why does the speaker mention the wage gap between men and women?

The speaker mentions the wage gap to highlight the ongoing issue of gender inequality in the workplace, which she believes needs to be addressed.

What does the speaker find ironic about the U.S. not having International Women's Day as an official holiday?

The speaker finds it ironic that the U.S. does not officially recognize International Women's Day but has an official holiday for a murderer named Christopher, indicating a societal value system she questions.

What is the focus of the speaker's message for International Women's Day?

The speaker's focus is on education, highlighting the fact that there are 131 million girls who are not in school and advocating for their right to education.