Troubles for the girl child begin even before birth

Be it nutrition, healthcare, or education, a girl in India continues to face discrimination. According to a report submitted by non-governmental organisation Plan India (PI), titled ‘Because I Am A Girl Child’, discrimination against a girl in India starts even before her birth.

Before birth to one year
There are an estimated 400 million children in India in the age group of 0-18 years. The PI report states that before birth and till the age of a year, a girl faces the danger of foeticide, infanticide, infant mortality, neglect of health, and even discrimination in breastfeeding and infant food.

Moreover, the decline in the child sex ratio is widespread. Of the 28 states and seven Union territories, only one state, Kerala, has shown an increase of 2% in the population of women while Lakshadweep and Pondicherry have shown an increase of 18% and 4%, respectively. Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Gujarat all have shown declines in the child sex ratio.

One to 11 years
Between the ages of one and 11 years, low school enrolment and high dropout rates get added to the above problems. Girls are vulnerable to trafficking, child marriage, domestic chores, etc. According to the study done in 40 schools in four states — Bihar, UP, Delhi and Rajasthan —  50% girls are unable to study beyond Std V.

Eleven to 18 years
The problems of a girl multiply further to include child-bearing morbidity, frequent pregnancy, domestic violence, dowry harassment, desertion, polygamy, and divorce. “Nearly 45% of women in India begin cohabiting with their husband before the age of 18,” the report says.