Inherited Silence
Modern technology, combined with a cultural preference for sons rather than daughters, has led to the mushrooming of neo-natal clinics across India where parents can check the sex of their unborn child, despite this practice having been illegalized. Originally an urban phenomenon, it is worrying to see the practice of sex-selection emerging in rural areas as the technology spreads. Diagnostic centers and clinics with ultrasound scanners advertise “spend 600 rupees now and save 50,000 rupees later,” - in other words, save your dowry money today.
The right to health is an unquestionable right, whether it’s health care for a girl child or services for a mother during her pregnancy. The young mother in the photograph did not receive proper medical care during her pregnancy. However, had she received medical care, she would probably have removed her unborn girl child. When I asked her why she doesn’t bring her very ill daughter to the doctors, she simply replies, “I would have had it been a boy.” I am not judging this young mother, but only trying to see how the right to health and the attitudes towards it easily become inherited by a daughter from her mother.
One of the biggest challenges for today’s decision-makers in the health sector is to break this system of silence, this inheritance of silence. Unfortunately, there is no medical cure for silence, but a very strong and clear global voice declaring that the girl child is equal and worthy will help change this norm. We must do what we can – she, too, will be someone’s mother tomorrow.
- Photograph by Parul Sharma
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In response to the Community Chat, "American Foreign Policy and Women's Global Health" hosted by The WIP and Americans for the UNFPA, Parul Sharma offers her concerns in this essay and will participate in the conversation.To participate in this Community Chat, you must be logged into your account. If you haven't already created an account, be sure to do so before joining the conversation. This Community Chat is scheduled for Monday, December 8th, 10am-12pm PST. To join the conversation on Monday, visit our homepage to link to the chat.
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India’s Laws Punish Homosexuals as Criminals
Falling in love can be amazing but expressing that same can sometimes be difficult. It takes a lot of courage to express and admit love for another person. Last week, in Ahmedabad /India a fourteen year old girl was punished for expressing her love, probably her first love. A minor girl was detained and sent to an observation home after the parents of another minor girl complained to the police that she sought a “lesbian relationship” with her, as reported by Pune Mirror on 4th of April 2009.
The observation home effectively operates as a children’s prison in sharp contrast with the ambitious goals outlined by the Indian government in the Juvenile Justice Act. Life there is horrible, and this has been reported by many NGOs. I have visited many such homes and they give a horrible sense of existence. As many as 130 children can be kept at all times inside a hall whose size does not exceed 700 sq. feet. They are never allowed outside and do not have facilities to spend their time in a useful way. Many of the children can spend more than a year confined in the Home, as the Juvenile Welfare Board invariably fails to complete its inquiries within the time frame specified by the law. Violence and sexual assaults are common features in these so called Homes. This is what this young fourteen year old girl will face. Why? Because she expressed her love to another girl, she dared to express something already so difficult, to a person of the same sex.
Another very painful aspect to this tragic story is the Pune Mirror’s reporter and the way he has described the incidence, clear cut- no reaction no “take a stand”, no nothing. Maybe he is not supposed to. Some people spend their whole lives without daring to express love, but not this girl- she dared- maybe because she believed in the emotion so strongly. I wonder how much love will be left in this girl’s heart when she one day finally leaves the Home?
Parul Sharma
Posted by Parul S | April 4, 2009 8:36 AM
India’s Laws Punish Homosexuals as Criminals
and sure..lets go for some kebab soon!
Love,
Parul
Posted by Parul S | October 3, 2008 5:25 AM
India’s Laws Punish Homosexuals as Criminals
Dear Sarah,Julie, JL, Lata and Knight Maiden,
Many thanks for your comments, invaluable comments. It is with your support I dare to express my views. I hope through the WIP we will be able to discuss even more hurdles which countries, legislations, mindsets and cultures present to love and relationships.
Julie, I agree with you on having the reduction of poverty of mind as MDG would actually help us reduce material poverty, discrimination, gender inequality etc big times!
About the Kebab-place, no, not the one in Hötorget... ;-) and not Folket's Kebab, :-) another place with sweet memories in it. Some other day...
With love,
Parul
Posted by Parul S | October 3, 2008 5:23 AM
Dear Eva,
Thank you for a very interesting article indeed. I strongly appreciate Mr. Sach's comment “Ethanol has definitely contributed to the crisis, but I don’t think the Bush administration is to blame..."
This is extra interesting when western entrepreneurs are celebrating ethanol and CSR (corporate social responsibility) as synonymous.
Thanks again,
Parul
Posted by Parul S | July 12, 2008 4:17 AM
Dear Zubeida,
Thank you for a very powerful article. It is so clear how one intention and effort alone can lead to mass-change.
Thanks,
Parul Sharma
India/Sweden
Posted by Parul S | July 9, 2008 11:43 AM
Dear Monica,
There is a permanent Indian emergency when it comes to assaults- yet reactions such as the death penalty for rapists as suggested by former Deputy Prime Minister, LK Advani, tend to take over constructive measures to help a victim. Here, the punishment of the criminal is seen as the sole consolation for a victim, completely disregarding the cycle of violence within a victim/survivor. Moreover, the crime’s effect on society is completely overlooked and the process of secondary victimization begins.
In the court, rape victims are supposed to prove that the rapist sexually penetrated them in order to get a conviction. This can be damaging, mainly so when defence counsel uses harsh and callous rhetorics to further victimize the survivor. Soon “marry your rapist or go underground” will be added to the definition of secondary victimisation, and added to the trauma of a raped woman.
It is really a terrible state of affairs-and we need to discuss and be very open about the reality.
Take care,
Parul
Posted by Parul S | July 7, 2008 3:39 PM
Dear Monica,
Some women's rights organisations, especially in India have realised this point of "dual communication", and addressing men as well, but yes there is a long way to go.
This effort, i.e. "dual communication" is crucial in for example microfinancing which has been identified to strengthen women in society through financial independence- but the question of social, domestic and cultural independence is of equal importance and cannot be solved by a one track empowerment of women alone.
Of course, in cases of sexual violance the security of the survivor/victim is the main priority- this is of course a different area all together.
Thanks for your comment,
Parul Sharma
Posted by Parul S | July 2, 2008 10:24 AM