The 2001 census brought into frightening focus the fact that there are 33 million women/girls missing in India-missing because of the heinous practice of female infanticide and female feticide-denying the basic right to survival.

 

In Gujarat between 1991 and 2001 the juvenile sex ratio (No. of girls per 1000 boys aged 0-6 years) decline was markedly higher in Mehsana, Kheda and Gandhinagar districts. With juvenile sex ratio of 801 girls to 1000 boys, Mehsana had the lowest sex ratio in 2001. The recent steeper deficit of girls is attributed to the mushrooming of the sex determination facilities and ensuring female selective abortion.

 

 

CHETNA facilitated a campaign on the issue of declining sex ratio in five blocks with sex ratio of less than 850 girls against 1000 boys in  Mehsana and Sabarkantha districts of Gujarat State along with five partner NGOs. The campaign focused on creating awareness through a multi media strategy among various sections of society on Gender Equity and the Right to Survival of the Girl Child, Pre Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act and its provisions through the one year period (July 2005 to June 2006).

 

Multimedia strategy for mass awareness

v       House to house contact

v       Phaliya (neighbourhood) meetings

v       Street plays, bhavai (traditional form of play with music)

v       Rallies

v       Road shows

v       Elocution and essay competitions in schools

v       Film shows followed by open dialogues

v       Media campaigns

v       Social audit and public meetings

v       Pilgrimage jatthas (Ambaji sangh)

 

Through the comprehensive campaign, we reached out to more than two lakh people comprising youth groups, women’s groups, milk cooperatives, schools, colleges, community leaders, crèche and child care centre workers and senior citizens.

 

Mass awareness information, education and communication material  was developed and disseminated, which included posters, 50,000 pamphlets, 8000 stickers, 7000 bookmarks, caps, bags, kites and postcards to convey the message effectively.

 

Scholarship to young journalists

Considering the fact that Media plays a significant role in generating public opinion, CHETNA provided Scholarship to five young journalists from mainstream national and vernacular newspapers. About 30 articles and stories were generated and featured in the media. Similarly, CHETNA supported about 25 researchers and media persons by sharing experiences, material, case stories and facilitating field based data collection.

 

CHETNA collaborated with Population Foundation of India (PFI) and organized consultations with Corporate sector and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Members of Parliament (MPs) in Gujarat State.

 

Sensitized MLAs organized district level campaigns with local fund raising through Agricultural co-operatives and community participation in their respective constituencies, reaching out to lakh people.   Taking up the issue as a state emergency, the Government of Gujarat launched a statewide campaign: “Beti Bachao”-(Save the daughters).

 

Study on understanding of pre-birth sex selection and elimination of girl child

A study  is being conducted to find out the current scenario, practices and consequences of the pre-birth sex selection and elimination of girl child practices.  Data collection is completed covering 10000 house holds, 359 women have been interviewed and six focus group discussions in selected villages of Mehsana District have taken place. The analysis is in progress and the findings will be available after July 2008, which will be useful to planners and activists to further plan effective strategies to check the declining sex ratio creating serious imbalance in the society.

 

For further details please contact: Ms.Ila Vakharia, CHETNA