A recent newspaper article talks about a
situation challenging women in a few villages of a rather well developed state
in India - Madhya Pradesh, where female foeticide has increased. The article
not only portrayed the hike in foeticide cases but also highlighted the
consequences thereafter. My idea of writing this blog is to bring forth the
condition of women in a few underdeveloped areas of India which needs attention
and appropriate measures on an urgent basis.
Trafficking of women is being
practiced rampantly. Young girls/women and teenagers are sold at cheaper rates
as families have no money to feed themselves and their dependents. This seems an
easy resort for them to release a burden and have access to money. Women are
being exchanged for cattle as well. Since the female population is lesser
because of various reasons including foeticide, a simple way out for people by
utilizing women as a commodity. Shocking but true, it is a fact that only very few
women are being given the respect due to them as wives. This is neither ethical
nor moral.
Women do not complain against such
crimes. Women are trafficked from other states through agents. The trafficking
racket is graver than it seems. Teenagers are either forced to marry because of
their family conditions or they are abducted. No one bothers to find out if the
women themselves are interested in marrying or otherwise. Their personal and
professional desires hold no meaning. They are required to follow the rules of
the society and are not allowed to make demands or have expectations. It is sad
to see that their wishes have been suppressed under the load of unethical men’s
desires. We need to address such issues severely. Female foeticide and
trafficking practices need attention.
-
Written by Dr. Aakshi
Kalra
I read horrible things over and over again in this newsletter. What is there to be done? I tell friends, I reprint links to the magazine. I even contributed my story. My daughter asks me how she can make a difference in the world when she is only 13. I don't have a good answer except to say, start with one thing. Make one difference to one person. I don't know how to help someone ten thousand miles a way. The way we think of and value each other, as a species, has to shift. That is the only way. Encounter a culture, learn from it, and offer your alternative by way of example. That is all I can think of.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that abuses against women are there across the globe. Try to help any woman you see in trouble and we all should try to improve at least 1 woman's life who have faced such issues.
Delete