We have an international day of the girl child which falls on October 11 and yet we read horrific stories of female foeticide, with India witnessing one of the highest rates in the world. In many parts of the country, the birth of a girl is viewed as unfortunate as she is perceived as an economic burden. The sex ratio has dropped to alarming levels, especially in the northern states according to Census 2001 reports.
What is even more alarming is the fact that this phenomenon is not just prevalent in rural areas or among people who might not be educated. I remember visiting my sister-in-law in a military hospital years ago and seeing a woman next to her, the wife of an officer, weeping inconsolably. Later I was told that she had just given birth to a third girl and was so afraid of her in-laws’ reaction. They hadn’t visited her even once and I thought to myself what hope was there of any change in our attitude towards girls if well-educated, economically well off families were still biased in favour of sons over daughters.
Praying for a girl child
I was offered a glimmer of hope when I read about a 170-year-old temple in the state of Jharkhand where couples flock to pray for a girl child. Devotees believe that praying here can help fulfil a wish for the birth of a daughter. According to folklore, a villager prayed here for a daughter about 150 years ago and his wish was fulfilled. As word spread, couples seeking daughters started visiting the temple.
The preference for a son is the norm in the traditional Indian household however educated they might be. Sons are looked upon as a type of insurance by parents who assume that they will be looked after by them in their old age. In a patriarchal society, sons are responsible for the preservation of the family name. This strong preference results in life-endangering deprivation of daughters.
I am proud to reveal that my niece who lives in Spain has adopted two abandoned baby girls from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. They have grown into confident young girls who are being give a life they could never have dreamt of had they languished in the orphanages where they found themselves. They have acquired Spanish citizenship and are being given so many opportunities to tap their full potential. The difference between the two scared, clingy toddlers and the vibrant, outgoing young girls they have become is remarkable.
Gender discrimination
The sad part is that women themselves are most likely to favour sons and are guilty of spoiling them in many ways such as not insisting that they share in household work. They are made to feel they are special and privileged. It is imperative that we change our attitude towards gender discrimination by treating sons and daughters alike.
My watchman’s son is allowed to roam around on his cycle while his sisters have to do the sweeping and dish washing. Their studies were stopped while he continued to go to school. I have seen no signs of a commitment on his part to study well and make something of his life. Now that schools are closed, he is free the whole day.
However, I am gratified to learn that out of a total of 3,531 children who were adopted in India in the past one year, 2,061 were girls. Activists say that this is due to the fact that more girls are available for adoption than boys and not because of a change in mindset.
The government programme, Beti bachao, beti padhao (save the girl child, educate her), aims to generate awareness and improve the efficiency of welfare services intended for girls but changing a deeply entrenched mindset is a Herculean task.
Vanaja Rao is a freelance writer based in Hyderabad, India
