Women village heads pledge to boycott families that endorse female foeticide

FARIDABAD: In a bid to eradicate female foeticide, women village heads in Palwal district have pledged to boycott families that promote the menace. They have also offered cash awards to save the girl child.

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After Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ campaign in Panipat on January 22, 2015, the state government took action against ultrasound clinics that allegedly conducted sex-determination tests.

Taking a cue, the rural women came up with an idea to isolate families that are against girls.

“I am against killing the girl child in the womb. After this government laid thrust on Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, I thought now nobody can stop us from raising such social issues,” said Karambati, sarpanch of Gurwari village in Palwal district, about 48 kilometres from Faridabad.

Karambati, a graduate from a local college, never thought that she would one day become the village head and work for this cause.

“I was among other women sarpanchs who took oath to work against this menace,” she told Hindustan Times.

“If any family does not understand the value of a girl child, we will inform law enforcing agencies and boycott such families,” she said.

“We will not talk to such families, not even visit them. We may even ask them to leave our villages,” she added.

“I launched the save girl child campaign in my village. I told the village ladies we should keep track of any family attempting to kill unborn girls,” said Pooja Devi, sarpanch of Dakora village in Palwal district.

“I too have taken oath to protect girl children,” Pooja told HT.

“I got married recently. We have created an atmosphere in our family in favour of the girl child,” she added

“If we come to know of any woman being forced for abortion, we will not only lodge a complaint against that family, but will also socially boycott it,” Pooja said.

Geeta Devi, sarpanch of Janachauli village in Palwal, said they were offering cash awards for newborn girls.

“Deputy commissioner Ashok Kumar Sharma administered us an oath to protect girl children at any cost and we assured him that we will not hesitate to boycott any family trying to indulge in female foeticide in our villages” said Geeta Devi, sarpanch of Janachauli village. Geeta holds a triple MA and B.Ed degrees.

“We have decided to award Rs 500 to women giving birth to girls in our village,” she said. “This message of love, respect and compassion towards girls has changed the atmosphere in our village,” Geeta Devi said.

“I told anganwari workers that if any family is heard talking about abortions, I should be informed so that action is initiated,” said Mamta Maurya, sarpanch of Jaindapur village.

“A special campaign has been launched in our district against female foeticide and open defecation. A signature campaign was launched where most of the 97 women sarpanchs participated,” said Ashok Kumar Sharma, deputy commissioner, Palwal.

“All gram panchayats in the district where lady sarpanchs were elected, passed resolutions to boycott those who are found involved directly or indirectly in female foeticide, which is a very welcome move,” Kumar added.

Haryana Women and Child Development minister Kavita Jain said under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao programme, the state government was strictly enforcing the Pre-Conception and Pre- Natal Dia gnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994, and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act.