In the March
7th, 2013 New York Times special
report entitled “A Fight to Save baby Girls in India”, writer Kamala Thiagarajan
describes how one rural community in southern state of Usilampatti, India has
been able to go from having the “worst” reputation for infant gendercide (murder
of unwanted baby girls) in the 1980’s to no deaths or abandoned girls since
2001. Under the leadership and vision of
Valli Annamalai, head of the Mother and Child Welfare Project, an initiative of
the Tamil Nadu state branch of the nongovernmental Indian Council for Child
Welfare, childcare centers were built and staffed so that working mothers could
return to their jobs in the fields. “Girls
were considered a burden and a liability in these parts,” she recalled during a
recent visit to a council center in the village of Pannaipatti. Raising
economic prospects “was the only way to stop the mindless violence and
discrimination.” 300 additional self help
centers in surrounding areas have expanded the awareness of this social issue,
as well as provided educational resources and microloans to people in need who
are trying to better themselves. A construction worker noted “with so many
women and girls educated, working and earning well, our attitude has completely
changed.”
Seeing reports like this that
demonstrate how communities who recognize and address crimes like gendercide
and human trafficking can and do make a difference give me hope. In
today’s shrinking world (due to technology and “instant” news outlets) social
problems like this that often stem from lack of education and social and racial
inequality are being recognized around
the world. People are beginning to go against
culture and traditions, and demanding change.
As these grass roots organizations have success in making a difference,
like the community childcare centers have done in rural India, lives are saved,
and more attention is given. Outsiders,
like the Italian Aid Association mentioned in the report, partner with local
communities to assist even further.
Successful plans are duplicated, and the ripple reaches more and more
people, changing a whole culture.
We can’t be afraid to be the first voice against crimes like gendercide and human trafficking in our communities and families-the generations coming after us need us now!
Shannon Yaw
Posted 3/8/13
11:12pm
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