If we look back at our school days, we’ll realize that growing up we were subjected to an enormous amount of casual sexism which was present in the most innocuous forms.

While the boys in our textbooks were shown as strong, hard-working people, girls, on the other hand, were the sweet ones, quietly taking care of household chores. Since what we’re taught in our childhood has a huge impact on the kind of person we come as an adult, we decided to do something for kids this year.

This National Girl Child Day, we announced our collaboration with activist and writer Kamla Bhasin to release our own “Feminist Rhymes,” which might help kids to learn better and believe in their dreams regardless of their gender. This series, which aims at promoting gender equality and confidence in girl children, will feature three creations of Kamla from her book “Housework Is Everyone’s Work” and three of IWB‘s own Feminist Rhymes.

We released our first rhyme – The Astronaut Song on Makar Sankranti and now we’re here with our second rhyme – My Mamma – that talks about working women.

Here’s the rhyme. Hope you and your child enjoy it!

Feminist Rhyme: #2 My Mamma ( Feminist Nursery Rhymes by IWB )

With our second song we continue the campaign we launched on #NationalGirlChildDay, we dug deeper into our childhood memories only to find traces of casual #sexism present in the most bittersweet forms. Surprised? Well, so were we! Books are a child’s best friend, right? But these friends can also be a negative influence.

My mamma is the dearest mamma in the world,

She brings toys and chocolates when back from work

She can count the stars, she can paint, too.

She can name all the animals in the zoo.

She’s the nicest, and the smartest, and the wisest mommy,

She even brings some treat for our dog, Tommy.

We will go to the playhouse

and then to the park!

Where I’ll tell her stories

of how Papa and I cooked while Tommy barked.

How he helped me pack my lunch

with such perfection.

And how he dropped me off & picked me up!

DING DONG,

Guess who is home?

Guess who has rung the bell?

It’s time for fun as 

Mommy’s home!

Sung & Composed by Komal Panwar
Illustrations by CP Sharma Illustration