A Childhood Memory: The Pain of Girl Foeticide

 A Childhood Memory: The Pain of Girl Foeticide

As I watched my mother-in-law discussing the issue of girl foeticide, a childhood memory resurfaced, one that still stings. It was during my early years, when my maternal grandparents and aunts lived in Adhchini, New Delhi, near NCERT. Our next-door neighbours were a Punjabi family who had rented their first floor to a South Indian family.

Both families had only girls. One of my favourite sisters, Vinni didi, was from the landlords family. She was a beautiful and kind soul, and my younger sister would often visit their home, asking, "Didi, apka TV chal laha hai kya?" (Didi, is your TV on?). Their bond was truly special.

But a dark cloud hung over their home. The male member of the South Indian family would often beat his wife, using harsh language that, as children, we couldn't understand. The elder members of our family explained that he was unhappy with having only girls and blamed his wife for it.

This memory is a stark reminder of the deep-rooted discrimination against girls that continues to plague our society. The idea that a child's gender determines their worth is not only harmful but also morally reprehensible. Girl feticide is a crime against humanity, a practice that perpetuates gender inequality and robs countless girls of their right to life.

It's time to break free from these harmful stereotypes and embrace the value of every human life, regardless of gender. Let's work towards a future where girls are celebrated, protected, and given the same opportunities as boys.