Have we reached there?

Though the gap between the genders has shrunk in major sectors, rural areas still face rampant discrimination against women. Despite major initiatives by the government, drop-outs by the girl child are still on the rise. The mindset that girls are homemakers is still ingrained in our society. It’s time to empower girls .The first step in this direction is to raise girls without any discrimination and give them the same freedom a boy enjoys.

Sinchana N V, class X, VVS SPHS, Bengaluru

Thanks to social awareness, gender discrimination has gone down, especially in urban areas.  Women have managed to break glass ceilings and made their presence felt in almost every field. The induction of women in combat forces is just an example of gender equality in our society. Three cheers to women power!

Harsh Saple, Grade 10, NES International School Mumbai, Mulund 

It’s unfortunate that we proclaim gender equality, but it exists only on paper. A case in point is the representation of women in politics in India. Only 62 of 543 MPs in the Lok Sabha are women. In the Rajya Sabha, the number is dismal — 28 of 241. Same is the case in sports and other fields.  

Sandra Sunil, class XII, MGM Model School, Varkala, Tvm

Today girls are not just at par, but way ahead of boys in most spheres. They are leading not only academically, but even in other walks of life. So, we men in society, need to get rid of our sympathetic attitude towards them. We should laud their achievements.

Avichal Dani, class XII, Udgam School For Children, Ahmedabad

Harsh reality... way to go

UNICEF reported that girls aged 5 to 14 around the world spend about 550 million hours each day on household chores, 160 million more hours than boys their age do ØA report from Save the Children estimated that one girl under the age of 15 is married every 7 seconds. In developing countries (excluding China), one in every three girls is married before reaching 18 yrs. This means the future of 47,700 girls is derailed every day. According to UN, Malawi has one of the highest child marriage rates in the world ØOn an average, girls receive only six years of formal education 

The Way Forward

Girls and boys should be treated equally as assets at home and school. Parents should guide boys to do all tasks allotted traditionally to women and treat girls with respect so that they do not grow up to be male chauvinists. 

Binmol Sudheerkumar, teacher, Eastern Newton School, Adimali, Kerala

Teachers should talk about values of equality to children from a young age — they can narrate stories and anecdotes to make students understand the importance of gender equality. Refrain from stereotyping students. If a girl is active in sports, encourage her.

Padmaja Limaye, teacher, Fr Agnel’s School, Mumbai 

The education system should include positive stereotypes in textbooks so that when girls graduate from school they can shape an equal society... One that doesn’t differentiate between sexes.

Bandita Roy, educator, DPS, Ahmedabad

Everyone needs to understand that girls are capable, mentally strong, and can be as, or even more, competent than their male counterparts. We need to break the myth that only sons can carry forward the family name. This can happen by creating awareness that girls are definitely not a weak sex. 

Revathy Gurumoorthy, teacher, Air Force School Hebbal, Bengaluru

 The silver lining... Today’s girls feel EMPOWERED

I have never felt discriminated against for being a girl. I have a younger brother and my parents are equally focused on both of us. In fact, my father encourages me to dream big, career wise, as well as in life.  

Sanya Sinha, class IX, Manav Rachna International School, Faridabad

I am very privileged to be a girl. I enjoy all the rights that my brother would have. My parents and teachers have instilled self-confidence in me so that I can think and speak independently and take the right decisions.  

Reha Chandresh, class X, PSBB LLA, Bengaluru

I’m really privileged to be brought up in a modern family.  However, I’ve seen girls of my age not being allowed to play football or boxing, or even car racing for that matter, just because these sports are considered ‘boyish.’ They’ve even been called names, which is so wrong. You should do what your heart tells you to do, and what you like to do.

Vanshika Lohana, Grade IX New Horizon Public School Airoli 

 Major initiatives for the girl child

Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, a social campaign of the Government of India aims to generate awareness and improve the efficiency of welfare services intended for girls.

‘Dhan Laxmi,’ a conditional cash transfer scheme for the girl child. 

‘Sukanya Samriddhi Account’, a new small savings instrument for the girl child that could be operated by her after the age of 10.

14% special quota for girls in the IITs from 2018