Celebrate! Its a Girl!

For the first time the world is celebrating 'International Day of the Girl'. The aim is to promote girls, educate them and in general sensitise the society about their importance. Apart form this, the aim is also to talk of equity - giving equal status of girls and boys.

Unfortunately, in India the day is marked with a controversial backward statement by one of the politicians. The former Chief Minister of Haryana state Om Prakash Chautala said - "Parents should get their daughters married at the age of 15, if we want to check their molestation and rape".

So, according to this Indian politician, this is the easiest and simplest way to check crime against women.

The statement got support from a bunch of educated and elderly people on Facebook as well!

Chautala comes from a state where about a dozen cases of rape and serious molestation have been reported in just a month. 

Now here is  question for Mr Chautala and others like him...

What do they have to say about the following cases...

* A woman - mother of two children was raped in Haryana.

* A 14 year old girl was raped by a man for two years, in Delhi.

* A man was arrested in Karnataka for attempting to rape a 3 year old child.

What do these cases suggests?

They obviously suggest that violence against women - including molestation and rape, has nothing to do with a woman's age.

It has got everything to do with falling values in the society, discrimination from childhood days and increasing insensitivity in the society. Otherwise why would a rape take place every half an hour in this country (National Crime Record Bureau)!

In 2011, a Thomson Reuters Foundation Global Poll recorded India the fourth most dangerous nation in the world. The parameters were sex-selective abortions, human trafficking, sex slavery, forced marriages and so on. The poll had quoted a UN report, according to which, 50 million girls went missing in a century only because of sex selective abortions. Even Somalia did better than India as far as sex selective abortions are concerned which are rampant here.

The countries, which could beat India were like Pakistan and Afghanistan.

In 2012, another study said India is the worst country for women among all the G20 nations.

Sample this -- (A travel advisory by the US government)

U.S. citizens, particularly women, are cautioned not to travel alone in India. Western women, especially those of African descent, continue to report incidents of verbal and physical harassment by groups of men. Known locally as “Eve-teasing,” these incidents can be quite frightening. Eve-teasing can occur anytime or anywhere, but most frequently has happened in crowded areas such as in market places, train stations, buses, and public streets. The harassment can range from sexually suggestive or lewd comments, to catcalls, to outright groping. While India is generally safe for foreign visitors, according to the latest figures by Indian authorities, rape is the fastest growing crime in India. Among large cities, Delhi experienced the highest number of crimes against women. Although most victims have been local residents, recent sexual attacks against female visitors in tourist areas underline the fact that foreign women are at risk and should exercise vigilance. Women should observe stringent security precautions, including avoiding use of public transport after dark without the company of known and trustworthy companions, restricting evening entertainment to well-known venues, and avoiding isolated areas when alone at any time of day. Keep your hotel room number confidential and make sure hotel room doors have chains, deadlocks, and spy-holes. In addition, only hire reliable cars and drivers and avoid travelling alone in hired taxis, especially at night. 

The above examples are self explanatory. We cannot blame outsiders for blaming our nation because deep inside our hearts we know that we are wrong.

The time has come to stop taming the girls and start training men and boys. Give them lessons on sensitivity and values and try changing and improving the society. All this is possible only when we start the practice from home by stopping discrimination. Treat boys and girls alike - give nutritious food to both and educate both. 

Just like your son, gather courage to give your daughter also the freedom to make her own decisions and decide when she wants to get married.