Indias missing daughters

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As the world's largest democracy and the second fastest growing economy celebrates its official day for the girl child on January 24th, the reality of over 35 million girls missing from its population leaves little cause for celebrations.   India's skewed sex ratio – number of girls per thousand boys – is mere statistics for a violent story of a nation that has failed its girls who are aborted as foetus and or subjected to varied forms of violence once born.   Shocking figures   An exhaustive study by ActionAid and Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) had revealed in 2007 that the ratio of surviving girl children to boys has fallen to an all time low of 300 to 1,000 in parts of Punjab.   The report also revealed that in four of the five sites surveyed, the proportion of girls to boys has declined even further since 2001.   The number of 35 million in 2001 Census of India for number of missing girls is, therefore, likely to be a very conservative estimate of the massive gap that exists in reality.   Click here to read the report   Engaging for change ActionAid has been working with grassroots organisations to challenge and end this practice in the parts of India where the gender ratio gap is most stark.   Increased awareness, especially among mothers and married women, is an important focus. But as most women do not take decisions on matters of sexuality, family and reproductive choices in India, we work on issues of women's rights and also with men in the community.   Community outreach workers have established an excellent rapport with the women's groups which allows an early identification of potential cases and of women being pressured into the vicious cycle of abortions in the hope of a male child.   Empowerment of women and community, access to education, entitlements and an active support system are important for addressing the challenge.   Advocacy with the doctors and district administration has also made them more responsive to the law and a relation of their direct responsibility in making the law work.   Tackling this complex issue means taking immediate action around enforcing the law against using ultrasound for sex selection and improving access to health care and education in poorer areas.   Women in India face economic and social barriers, including property rights, marriage dowries and these condemn girls before they are even born. View slideshow and read case studies Image: Sanjit/ActionAid