The provisional Census figures, released March 2011, show that the child sex ratio in India has declined to 914 females per 1,000 males — the lowest since Independence.
A report by Palash Kumar published on Dec. 15, 2006 says India Has Killed 10 Million Girls in 20 Years. The report says “Ten million girls have been killed by their parents in India in the past 20 years, either before they were born or immediately after, a government minister said, describing it as a "national crisis".
Punjab loses every fourth girl. "By the 2011 census, we would be killing off 10 lakh (1,000,000) girls a year." (Stop Murdering The Girl Child, Tribune, Correspondent or Reporter, Sep 26, 2007)
Every year in India, an estimated 500,000 female foetuses are aborted because they are female.
In Tamil Nadu recent analysis of statistics indicates a shortfall of about 13,000 daughters per year, 67% due to pre-birth deficit which suggests a high rate of female foeticide and 33% due to infanticide, and neglect.
Data compiled for 2008 by the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) showed that there were 8,172 dowry deaths in the country, and for the same year, there were 81,344 cases of cruelty towards women by husbands and relatives. The actual numbers are probably much higher since many cases go unreported, or are reported as suicide.
Foeticide, Infanticide and discrimination against females in India
Recent Quotes by Prominent People in India
From Prime Minister Manmohan Singh: "Expressing regret over the declining sex ratio in the country, prime minister Manmohan Singh on Monday called for a change in the mindset of society with respect to women and girls.
"The figures of census 2011 show improvements in most areas. But it is a matter of deep regret that the sex ratio has shown a decline from the level of last census," he said in his Independence Day address.
According to the prime minister, it was not only necessary to implement the existing laws effectively but it was essential to change the approach "with which our society views girls and women".
"I would especially appeal to the state governments and social service organisations to take steps for empowerment of women and for improving their status in society," he added. According to the 2011 census, the sex ratio has dropped to 914 girls for 1,000 boys. (Courtesy News Bullet.in)
Female foeticide and infanticide are not the only issues with a girl child in India. At every stage of life right from basic nutrition to education and standard of living she is discriminated and neglected.
(Interactive Seminar on World Girl Child Day at on 24 September 2011, organised by CII Bihar State Council)
What the Supreme Court has to say:
On Nov 2nd 2010 The Supreme Court stated that "Indian society has become sick."
“The hallmark of a healthy society is the respect it shows to women. Indian society has become a sick society. This is evident from the large number of cases coming up in this court and also in almost all courts in the country in which young women are being killed by their husbands,” an anguished Bench of Justices Markandey Katju and Gyan Sudha Mishra said in a recent judgment. “What is the level of civilization of a society in which a large number of women are treated in this horrendous and barbaric manner? What has our society become?”
The bench had a point. Data compiled for 2008 by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) showed that there were 8,172 dowry deaths in the country . (RPI comment: The actual statistics are probably much higher as many deaths go unreported or are reported as suicides.) Read more: The Times of India
President Patel: "Calling female foeticide a "heinous crime", Patil said every person should come forward to eradicate this social evil and ensure equal status for women in all spheres of life.
She appealed to social workers and non-government organisations to work for the empowerment of women and said there is a need to generate awareness in the society by changing the perception of people.
Urging people to encourage girls to fight against social evils, Patil said she herself has taken an initiative as per which girls who stand against injustice and set an example for others are invited to the President's House." Courtesy OneIndia News
