I HATE MY GIRLFRIEND

“That phase when you start hating your girlfriend is crazy” – these words opened a Twitter thread that spiralled into a debate among men on how to manipulate their girlfriends into breaking up. Inspired by this so-called debate, I‘ve created a darkly relatable yet (I hope) humor-tinged feminist reflection on young heterosexual relationships. When can we admit our mistakes and take responsibility for the hurt we cause? If equality means the freedom to choose for oneself, why do young people fear making decisions?

This female gaze is my bold response to the stereotype of female characters written by men – and to centuries of women authors being confined to romance.

The play was written for Forum of youth authors 11. The radio play I Hate My Girlfriend won the award for Outstanding Artistic Achievement in the Student Play Category at the 2025 Radio Play Festival, in recognition of its outstanding direction and authentic generational testimony.