Stop female infanticide to celebrate womanhood

It's a lazy Sunday morning, the day I get my me time and read newspapers and books. A news article about women's health catches my attention and I give it a blissful ignore. Reason being the statistics and facts are all there on paper but in reality nothing has been done. So while I settle to amuse myself by a celebrity gossip column with a cuppa, in barges my domestic help fuming as she blurts out "I am not working today!"

A shocked me reacts: "What?"
Maid: "I have to take my sister to the hospital."
Me: But you took leave only last week citing the same reason. What's wrong with your sister now?
Maid: She's sick and collapsed this morning.
The word çollapse catches my attention.
Me: What happened?
Maid: Her haemoglobin has hit rock bottom thanks to her three abortions!
Me: What? She suffered three miscarriages?
Maid: No, no...you don't understand. She was the one who opted for the procedure in all the three cases
Me: But why?
Maid: 'cos she didn't want a child girl
This makes me angry
Me: Isn't your sister a girl? How dare she kill an unborn child? And how on earth did she know it was a girl?

Although sex determination of the foetus is an offence in India. In rural set ups, it's a very common practice. The irrational greed for a boy child, who will be the torch bearer of the family is something that still exists in several regions across our country.

Another reason to shun a girl child is the dowry system. Most Indian families with daughters are expected to give gifts to the groom at the time of marriage. The gifts will be in cash and kind and range anywhere between lakhs and crores of rupees depending on the economic status of the family. A house, a piece of land, an expensive sports bike, a swanky car or even an iphone along with cash are some the many gifts that the boys'families demand from the girls. Poverty makes it impossible for a few families to even afford it. They would rather beget a son and get that money themselves from the girl who gets married to their son!

And to make things worse, several doctors who take oath to save lives are hand in glove with families wanting to abort a girl child. Female infanticide is one of the evils which prevails even today in India. However, one can't talk about it. No matter how educated or well informed you are, you turn a mute spectator! You can't even complain as the least you can do is ensure poor families leading a hand to mouth existence don't get into legal trouble.

The sex ratio in India is skewed! There's a sharp decline in numbers of girl children when compared to their male counterparts. What is a matter of concern is that the child sex ratio is showing a declining trend off late.

A study titled Children in India 2012- A Statistical Appraisal conducted by the Central Statistical Organisation showed that During 2001- 2011, the share of children to total population has declined and the decline was sharper for female children than male children in the age group 0—6 years.

It's time India enforced stricter laws to stop this evil practice. Harsh punishment to offenders too can act as deterrent.
Another example I came across is that of a Rajasthani who runs a small grocery store. He has three daughters but he let his woman go through another pregnancy so they can get a son!

The worst statistics of female infanticide in India is in Rajasthan, a land of shame and horror. Killing girls is very common. The most unfortunate thing is while thousands of girls are killed, Rajasthan government stands mute witness to the silent genocide.

According to an investigative report, a village sarpanch openly confirms the crime happening in his state. "They kill girls overnight by poisoning them with opium, crushing them with stones and starving them," says Sarpanch of chaiyan village Hanuman Singh.

This only goes to show that despite being aware of the mishappening, people continue to act blind. Speaking about Female infanticide is a taboo but when such cold blooded murder is happening, it's time for some action NOW!

This brings back the subject of woman's well being. Isn't health of woman who feeds you a priority for you? Would you risk a woman's life for the sake of a boy?

Woman's Day is not about getting celebrities on TV shows to speak about how proud they are to be born as a woman! Stop female infanticide is the message they must be giving instead. For we don't want to see a day when the female species going extinct like some animals already have!