Why savethegirlchild.com?

Facts of Shame

The child sex ratio in India is less than any other South East Asian countries. There has been a rapid decline in the male-female child ratio in India during the last two decades due to increasing practice of sex selection and female foeticide, according to a study done by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The use of technology to determine the sex of the foetus and easy access to it since the early 1980s has contributed to the rapid decline in the child sex ratio.

• Number of girl child in Delhi (865) and Mumbai (898) is much below the National ratio of 927 girls per 1000 boys.
• Every sixth girl child's death is due to gender discrimination.
• 3 Lac more girls than boys die every year.
• Out of 12 million girls born in India, 1 million do not see her 1st birthday.
• Around 70 districts in 16 states and union territories have recorded a more than 50 point decline in child sex ratio during the decade 1991-2001.

If these practices continue then the region is likely to witness increased gender-based violence, trafficking, discrimination and general vulnerability of women and girls.

Education to girl child; still a distant dream

53% of girls in the age group of 5-9 yrs are illiterate. Many unfortunate girls in India are deprived of the basic education, which is another outcome of gender inequality.

In rural areas, parents do not get their daughters enrolled in schools and rather train them in household chores. This further adds to the country's population of dependent, indecisive and illiterate females.

Right to Education is a fundamental right of any human being. Girl child should be given an opportunity to manifest her limitless potential, enhance her sense of judgment and contribute to the society. This will lead to a raised stature of women in India.

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What is Government doing?

The objective of very popular 'Sarva Siksha Abhiyan' under the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act 2002 is to grant free and compulsory education to all children up to the age of fourteen. Article 45 further provides that the State shall promote early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years; the above Act auxiliary offers under Article 51-A (k) that it shall be a fundamental duty of every citizen of India who is a parent or guardian to give opportunities for education to his child/ward between the age of six and fourteen years.

It is considered important and essential to create a humane and equitable society that incorporates the secular values and the ethnic, religious and cultural diversities of India. It is believed that the objectives of democracy, social justice, and equality can be achieved only through the provision of elementary education of equitable quality to all, irrespective of gender and class.

To protect the rights of women, Government of India has taken countless initiatives. Ironically, we all criticize these malpractices but do not support the government projects. If we all follow the laws made by the government, 90% of the problem will be solved.

Right of female to education and property, Prohibition of Dowry, Punishment for the practice of foeticide/ infanticide against the doctors and parents are some of the plans of the government which have been ineffective because of non- participation of public. Therefore, a support is sought from the public in all administrative projects to ensure the development of women in India.

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Girl child in India

Since ages the girls are deprived of her liberty and human rights. The society has over- looked the violation of girl's fundamental privileges to an alarming degree. Gender discrimination is the chief contributor to the global crisis.

However, male- biasness is not only restricted to the poor families but it is much to do with the cultural beliefs and social norms. The cost of such baseless beliefs is paid by the girls at every sphere of her survival. Sex disparity persists not only in educational indicators but also in subject of her life and death.

India, the country which idolizes women in form of Durga and Kali and where the lives of women are shaped in accordance to the strong patriachal traditions, the centuries old customs binds the existence of women in some or the other way.

The skewed sex- ratio in the country clearly reveals the status of Indian women. Female infanticide and foeticide is a shameful outcome of sex inequality. Though, infanticide and foeticide has been outlawed decades ago, it is prevalent and practiced largely in rural and semi- rural areas even today. Poverty and illiteracy is the main cause of the deteriorating status of girl in the Indian society.

In the year 2007, India has welcomed her first woman president and glorified the achievements of Kalpana Chawla and Indra Nooyi. Nevertheless, India contributes to the largest population of non-school going working girls. There has been a rise in the girls drop outs in the villages.

Primary education has been made free still the parents are reluctant to educate their daughters.

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What are WE doing? You and me? .....

To put an end to the practice of foeticide and infanticide, each one has to take a march. A decision needs to be taken and implemented in the most effective way so as to make females in India independent and wise; to make her name globally.

The time has come when the attitude of people towards this social evil needs to be changed. Girls should be free to access education, choose profession, marry and most importantly, they should not be restricted from being born!

YOU can do...

As an individual, one can interact with the people around concerning the subject in social meetings, educational seminars and even during the parties.

Besides, a good communication through word of mouth about this matter can be done with the servants at your place; they should be encouraged to support the education of their daughters and also to share these ideas with their fellow group members.

Exchanging ideas and changing the attitude of the people will bring about a revolution in the society.

Contributions can be made to provide free education to girls, complaints can be lodged against the medical institutions which indulge in the practice of foeticide, sex education camps can be organized on a regular basis in slum areas near-by.

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Girl child in India

Since ages the girls are deprived of her liberty and human rights. The society has over- looked the violation of girl's fundamental privileges to an alarming degree. Gender discrimination is the chief contributor to the global crisis.

However, male- biasness is not only restricted to the poor families but it is much to do with the cultural beliefs and social norms. The cost of such baseless beliefs is paid by the girls at every sphere of her survival. Sex disparity persists not only in educational indicators but also in subject of her life and death.

India, the country which idolizes women in form of Durga and Kali and where the lives of women are shaped in accordance to the strong patriachal traditions, the centuries old customs binds the existence of women in some or the other way.

The skewed sex- ratio in the country clearly reveals the status of Indian women. Female infanticide and foeticide is a shameful outcome of sex inequality. Though, infanticide and foeticide has been outlawed decades ago, it is prevalent and practiced largely in rural and semi- rural areas even today. Poverty and illiteracy is the main cause of the deteriorating status of girl in the Indian society.

In the year 2007, India has welcomed her first woman president and glorified the achievements of Kalpana Chawla and Indra Nooyi. Nevertheless, India contributes to the largest population of non-school going working girls. There has been a rise in the girls drop outs in the villages.

Primary education has been made free still the parents are reluctant to educate their daughters.

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Celebrating the Girl Child

Traditionally, Indians celebrate the birth of a son but in recent past the cultured families have started rejoicing the arrival of a newborn girl in the family as well. States like Punjab and Haryana which have low sex ratio of around 800 females as per 1,000 males , came together this Lohri at their common capital Chandigarh to mark the birth of newborn girls in the near by districts. It was a unique step taken by both the government to change the outlook of the villagers regarding girls' status in the society.

In this section, we welcome the proud parents of girls to register themselves and even share with others the relationship they share with their daughter. By going through parents' experiences, it is hoped that other parents and individuals will also be encouraged.

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