FIENDISH FEMALE FOETICIDE

Written By: Apoorv Singhal

In a country where, as per scriptures, God resides in places where a woman is worshipped, female foeticide is an ironical but sad truth. Female foeticide is no less than an act of cutting  short life, a case of life interrupted,  but the  people indulging in it find willing partners in their crime who are blinded by the lure of money. It refers to a practice which removes the female foetus after 18 weeks of growth in the uterus. The patriarchal social structure in India and the society’s preference towards a male child is the major reason behind female foeticide. To carry forward the hierarchy, families in general prefer the birth of sons over daughters. This completely neglects the girl’s importance in society as an independent individual, a daughter, a sister and/or a wife.

Apart from this, there are various other causes of female foeticide. Generally, parents don’t want a girl because they have to give a big amount as a dowry at daughter’s marriage. People prefer a boy over a girl because they think that the son will earn while the girls will only consume. Illiteracy, insecurity, and poverty of people in society also add up to kill the girl child before it even enters the mortal world. So some people do not consider girls to be equal and only inferior to boys.

As the practice of female foeticide is a grave social issue in our country, we all must take steps to put an end to it. Although the government has introduced  the  PNDT Act 1994 to prevent the abuse of sex-determination test, we require an attitudinal change in society to abolish the heinous practice of female foeticide. We must learn to respect the daughters of our country. Also, they must be given the same priority as their sons. Girls do not have access to education, healthcare as much as the boys do. Therefore, all these facilities must be provided to them too. This will help them create an identity of their own. Consequently, social attitudes towards women are changing, leading to their empowerment, but we still cannot say that it has put an end to the practice of female foeticide as it will take time for the change in mindsets to percolate down to all towns and cities of the country.

(Edited By: Pravartika Gandhi)

IRONY OF THE SIN

Written by: Pravartika Gandhi 
It’s not a safe world for you, 
Jyoti, Delta, Asifa, there have been a lot.
You must not wear such clothes,
You must not stay out so late,
You must not travel alone,
Or trust an unknown man.
Take care of their ego,
Or you’ll suffer your entire life,
Don’t respond to eve teasing,
Even if it kills you inside.
Why do I have to pay the cost, 
They commit the crime yet I get lost,
Suddenly I have no one, no where to turn to,
Whenever does justice prevail, whenever is the anguish axed?
I want them to say to me, 
"It’s not your fault, we’re always by your side"
I want them to comfort and unfetter me,
But instead what I hear is,
It’s not a safe world for you, 
Jyoti, Delta, Asifa, there have been a lot.

DOMESTIC BRUTALITY

Written By: Eesha Shukla

Domestic violence is understood to include any threatening, abusive, or violent behaviour in the home. It is a problem sweeping the nation. It can affect anyone in general but is usually acted out upon women in abusive relationships. In earlier times, the problems and violence in homes were considered to be private matters. Women were seen as the possessions of men and law didn’t recognise the rape of a woman by her husband. Now, however, the society is changing.

Violence against women is a serious problem in India. Overall one-third of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence and about 1 in 10 have experienced sexual violence. This is a problem which is often ignored. Even the women who face domestic violence in their homes do not come out and speak about it for the fear of society. Many of these women are from lower caste families and backward classes who are uneducated and are unaware of their rights. They are also brought up to believe that husbands are superior and the
wives have to oblige to everything they say.

Yes, education has led to making women aware and they do stand up against such injustice. But there are many who are still silent; silenced by society, by traditional beliefs, by customs. It is NOT an achievement until we manage to eradicate this evil completely. In the Hindu religion, we pray and worship many goddesses, Christians worship Mother Mary. But what about the goddess in our own homes, the woman shaping our lives? As members of privileged families, we do not acknowledge this issue and close our eyes, ears and mouths at the sight of it. Yet, even cities witness such injustices till date. This practice is also prevalent in villages.

Until we do not solve this problem, we cannot say that our cities have developed. We cannot say that such kind of violence does not happen anymore until each and every woman is safe in her own house, is respected and treated just as the men of the house. It would be best to start with our own homes; teach our own kids to respect the other sex, just as their own. As Nelson Mandela said “We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.”

THE DESTRUCTIVE DOWRY SYSTEM

Written by: Apoorv Singhal and Pravartika Gandhi

Since time immemorial, the dowry system has been one of the major contributing factors towards social ills that affect women and goods in India. Dowry is basically a ‘gift’ of some kind demanded by the groom’s family during marriage. This system not only discriminates upon women, but places a severe financial burden on the bride’s family. This practice is also deeply rooted into the culture. Legally speaking, demanding dowry is prohibited in India. Unfortunately, however, this system is still followed in most rural and a few urban settlements.

For families with low income, this ill poses a huge problem. Often, instead of being voluntary from the girl’s parents, it pushes them to the limit where they are bound to heavy debts in order to meet the demands of the groom’s family. Demand for more offerings, even after marriage, have become a source of conflict between the couple’s families. When such an ultimatum is not met, the wives are tortured, harassed and in some cases burnt alive or strained to the height that they commit suicide.

Practices like this severely discriminate and leave a lasting emotional impact on women, probable of leading to health issues. This mistreatment makes them feel that this is the way the society operates and that there is nothing they can do, but induce further generations to be victims to the same. Laws have been formulated including the Dowry Prohibition Act declaring this system illegal. But more important is the inclusion, effective implementation of these and the change in the mindset of the people. India will not be called free from the system of dowry unless each and every parent knows that they must not demand dowry for their son, or provide dowry for their daughter.

FEMINISM

Written by: Pravartika Gandhi

Nowadays the word ‘feminism’ is misinterpreted and thus disliked by a number of individuals. Several men and women refrain from calling themselves feminists so as to not fall into a notorious section of the society. Though such people do not oppose gender equality as such, there are millions of people who, yet, both inwardly and outwardly do not support the idea that there should be equal rights and opportunities for men and women. Sadly, due to the resistance by these people, women rights, which we consider to be human rights, are still only available to a few.

“Feminism is the radical belief that all women are human beings.” If so, then a segment constituting half of humanity ought to be given the same treatment as the other half. Yet, at the same time, uplifting women is not synonymous to abate the respect of men. Equality emphasises that we support and empower women where justified, not in any and every situation merely to gain attention. Similarly, even though the name suggests femininity, its main idea is to promote sexual equality and eradicate gender bias. Feminism and feminists stand for men when they face discrimination for expressing traits which we consider to be humane, but not masculine.

Hence, in my opinion, feminism is a movement for rectifying our misdeeds to our mothers, grandmothers and for developing a brighter and better future for our daughters. Concomitantly, a step enabling “both men and women to feel free to be sensitive and to be strong”.

MUJHE HAQ HAI (in affiliation with UN Women)

Mujhe Haq Hai the video made in collaboration with UN Women, brings women from all fields, from all parts of India, achievers, and celebrities together- from women leaders at the grassroots level to service authorities, sportspersons, entertainers, businesswomen, and musicians. The objective of the video is to inspire women and girls across India and beyond, and spread the message – that women have the right to live a life on their terms, and the right to make their own choices.

THE HARSH SHUTDOWN

Our school witnessed a tragic yet inspiring event last week. All the girls of tenth grade had united for a mass movement or agitation against body shaming and sexual comments. This minor step was taken, or more specifically, merely planned after a series of defaming incidents. Girls faced remarks such as being called ‘doodh ki dukaan’ (milk factory), or a prostitute, and this small step allowed all of them to open up and disclose the discriminatory acts they suffered- like a miniature version of the ‘me too’ campaign.

The entire group tried to approach the social heads, coordinators and a few other teachers, but the saddest thing happened to them. They were shut down. The girls were told to keep down the movement and to the height of it, were asked, “Are you new to the school?” Is this what we call equality and respect in our ‘modern’ mentality?

Both boys and girls wear the same uniform, yet girls are being harassed, only for being what they truly are. Maybe their way of expressing their opinion was not exactly ideal, but did they deserve to be shut down? After all that they faced through their school years, is it right to shut down an innocent fight against wrong?

HE FOR SHE

By: Jai Bobal and Pravartika Gandhi

It is an agreeable fact that women all around the globe have been discriminated in the past and there is a need to empower them in the current ‘modern’ millennium. But women empowerment and equality sometimes might be misinterpreted as depowering men, looking down at them and uplifting women over men, which is fallacious as it clashes with the true ideology of feminism. Hence the concern of how even men now might be feeling discriminated against rises.

It is not very uncommon nowadays to find slogans and ads taunting men by calling them heartless, eve teasers, cheaters, jerks, etc. This contradicts with the very motive of feminist campaigns to fight for equality, not superiority. The belief that only the man is expected to be the money maker of a house without any help, carry all the financial load of the house burdens men with the job and social stress of living up to the society’s expectations, which is not justified.

A man who fails to live up to the world’s perception of ‘masculinity’ is abhorred by the society, just like a woman not living up to the ‘feminine’ ideals. “If a man punches a woman, he’s a loser. If a woman punches a man, he’s a loser.” It is not only women, but men too who suffer from gender stereotypes, and would be benefitted from feminism. However, this social cruelty cannot be ended till the gender equality movements are going wrong, till men and women don’t unite to fight against this evil. 

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