Society’s attitude towards the girl child is changing for the better, but more is needed, writes Rukhsar Koser
The entire world is changing but there are few who still imbibe old and rigid thoughts and live with it. When a girl child is born in their homes, they prefer killing them. Killing baby girls, or allowing them to starve to death, are something most of us cannot imagine. But it happens even today. As shocking and disturbing as this behaviour is, however, we must look at it within its cultural context.
Till date, there are various households that prefer boys over girl children. By any chance, if they come to know that the mother is expecting a baby girl, by all means they try to kill the child in the mother's womb. However if by luck, a girl child is born, sadness looms in the house, whereas a boy child brings celebrations in the house. Why is it that a boy is given more preference every time, in a country where we worship goddesses as much as we do godsIJ
Today, girls are racing ahead in all spheres of life, be it in studies or sports; moreover, we will soon see them in the battleground. Those days are gone where girls were not even allowed to fly kites. Today, they are ready to be airborne. Recent reports say that six women flight cadets are training at the Air Force Academy near Hyderabad and stand a chance of becoming the country's first female combat pilots. The zest and courage to do something in life have now put women on top of the world.
But the bitter part is that women have to go through a lot and they have to always strive for justice. There are fathers who do support their daughters and bring them up with a lot of pride, educate them and send them to colleges. But there have been times when society holds the girls responsible for crimes that take place against women. The parents of a girl are always fearful, once their daughter steps out of the house.
In many cases, society has held the girl or the survivor responsible. Such is in the case of rape. People blame the girl for the clothes that she wears, and she becomes a subject of mockery, including that of the parents; in extreme cases she is forced to commit suicide.
Nisha Chauhan, who hails from Kolayat district of Bikaner in Rajasthan, is among the women who have led by example. According to inputs received, Nisha Chauhan, who works with an NGO called Urmul Semant in the village Bajju of Kolayat block in Bikaner district, is greatly perturbed with way society treats women.
Nisha has tried to make sure that no woman either in her vicinity or in her region suffers. She sees to it that women get complete justice. So far, she has tried to save each and every girl child in her village.
Some years ago, when she was informed that a woman had been admitted to a hospital for her delivery, she instantly rushed to the hospital. The lady gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. The family wanted to kill the girl child. She tried to convince the family, but it was in vain. Then she was asked by the family that, if she had so much love for the girl child, she should adopt her. She instantly said, “I will surely adopt this child.”
Nisha adopted her, and now the girl is five years old and living a wonderful life with her new parents. Nisha's husband too has completely owned her as their child. She studies in one of the better private schools. The decision Nisha took to adopt the child was solely hers. She did not feel the need to consult anyone at that point of time, and her decision was later accepted by her husband too.
Nisha as well her husband should equally be praised for taking a progressive step in life. Nisha did not just save a girl child but surely has taken care of her like her own. We must salute people like Nisha and her husband, and we wish that people aspire to become like her. When parents get old, most of the time it's the daughter that supports them and takes care of their every need.
Every cloud has a silver lining, they say. Though female foeticide and infanticide is still widely prevalent across India, recent data points to a significant social change.
Even in States with low sex ratios, such as Haryana, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, childless couples have been exhibiting a preference for girls. Between April and June 2015, child adoption centres across India received 1,241 requests to adopt a girl, as against 718 for a boy.
We sincerely hope that society takes care of our girl child who is the new hope for many and a fountain of life. They are flowers that must be allowed to bloom.
(Courtesy: Charkha Features)