Er. Prabhat Kishore
Increasing gender-based problems affect girls in every aspect of social and cultural environment. To grow into active, efficient and confident women, girls must be raised in an environment that provides them with respect, dignity and fair opportunities. But in Bharat, the deprivation and suffering caused by poverty for most girls is further aggravated by customs and beliefs. These beliefs often define the role of women and make them inferior to men.
The status of women in the society can be easily judged from the status of girls. It is a well-known fact that thousands of girls grow up in very difficult circumstances. They remain unhealthy due to malnutrition and a large number of them die premature deaths. They have to do hard labour and are married at an early age. They live in a very discriminatory environment at the physical, mental and sexual levels. Education is the only panacea through which girls and women can initiate the process of social change. Education has the power to play such a mediating role that can eliminate gender discrimination and awaken sociality among girls and boys.
Childhood development is important
Keeping in mind the distortions caused due to gender discrimination in childhood, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) declared the year 1990 as the “Year of the Girl Child” and 1991-2000 as the “Decade of the Girl Child”. The Government of India has also developed a national plan to improve the current status of girls and adolescent women. The most important development period for any person is childhood. The pace at which physical, mental, personal and social development occurs in childhood is not possible in the later years of life. The rapid development and flexibility of childhood also makes this period largely vulnerable. This neglected situation can also be affected by prejudice and neglect. As a result, the girl trapped in the cycle of deprivation throughout her life continues to sink and is unable to become a part of the mainstream of society. On the other hand, this feeling of tenderness provides a wonderful opportunity to eradicate deficiency from its roots. If the health, educational and social needs of girls are taken care of, the foundation of an educated progressive woman can be laid.
More than 1,20,00,000 girls are born every year in Bharat. About 25 per cent of these girls die before their fifteenth birthday and one third of them die in the first year of infancy. Age-specific mortality rates show that at every age level up to the age of 35, more women die than men.
In most countries, the sex ratio is in favour of women, but in Bharat the sex ratio has been declining decade after decade. Except Kerala, the sex ratio remains pathetic in other states. In the 2001 census, the sex ratio (per thousand males) among the total population was 933, among the Scheduled Castes it was 922, and in the Scheduled Tribes it was 972. According to the 2011 census, the sex ratio in the total population is 940.
One of the main reasons for the skewed sex ratio is the large number of deaths at a very young age due to malnutrition. Levinson’s study of malnourished children in Punjab in 1974 also revealed that there is gender-based bias in nutrition and health care. Stunted growth due to nutrition and undernutrition result in the body structure not developing fully in adulthood. In both cases, there is a possibility of having low birth weight babies. Malnourished girls grow up to become malnourished women and this cycle of malnutrition continues from generation to generation. Girls are breastfed for a shorter period of time than boys. Also, due to low purchasing power, girls are fed a low-calorie diet as well as fewer supplements and solid food.
According to a study, the number of malnourished girls is 2 to 3 times that of boys. In category 2 and 3 of Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai metropolises, malnutrition was higher among girls than boys. When there is a severe shortage of food grains, it has a more negative impact on the situation of girls.
According to the “All India Market Survey” conducted in 21 states and union territories in 1990, there is no gender difference in terms of diseases, but inequalities are clearly visible in their duration and care. Girls are also discriminated against within family across demographic group. Fewer girls are found in state health centre in most of the states of the country and less money is spent on their health. Across all classes of families, girls are treated by less qualified doctors than boys.
Girl literacy is an indicator of social development
Girl literacy is an important indicator of social development. Female literacy has many beneficial effects on development. Universalization of primary education requires reducing the gap in participation between boys and girls. Although social prejudice against women will not be eliminated through the educational system alone, positive steps can be taken to raise their status through education. School is the only institution where girls acquire qualities like self-esteem, self-confidence, decision-making ability and skills.
(The author is an engineer and educationist. He can be reached at [email protected])
