Girl Child In India

The present work is concerned with problems of girl child, their exploitation, discrimination, disparity in education and health sector, sex determination tests, sex-ratio and their serious implications in India in the global frame. Both Primary and secondary sources of data have been accumulated and used for analysis and interpretation in making the study more interesting and useful. Contents: Introduction, Exploitation of Girl Child in Indian States, Girl Child and Disparity in Education, Neglect of Girl Child in Health Sector, Human Rights and the Girl Child, Conclusion.

Why does this book speak of the girl child and not of the child, whether boy or girl? The girl child is the endangered sex in our society. She remains entrapped in a complex social process that 'naturalises' her deprivation. Her place is within the family which traditionally has been viewed as a specially nurturing and protecting institution for her. Critically examining this view, the authors raise vital questions on gender-based discrimination within the family. Thirteen case studies poignantly reveal the way discrimination occurs. The authors have used the data for West Bengal compiled by the School of Women's Studies, Jadavpur University, as part of the national project on the girl child that was sponsored by the Indian government and carried out in twenty two women's studies centres. The book surveys 600 sample households, covering girls aged 7-18 years in selected rural and urban areas. It offers detailed analysis of the girl child's mother and her perceptions of her children; her daughters in particular.

Growing up as a strong-headed single child with a privileged upbringing in Calcutta, Devi has learnt much from her surroundings. Her childhood memories are filled with mixed emotions - especially as she remains angry with her mother and the hypocrisy of women in India.On an unexpected journey home, she encounters reality - new stories and experiences of strangers, as well as friends. It has been years since she left Calcutta, yet the city's untold stories haunt her. This time Devi is back in town to solve issues and above all, through some painful and hard revelations, to make peace with those she can.

This book discusses regional and global discourses on the rights of children, especially girls. It focuses on social and government initiatives to address the marginalization of women and girls in societies across the world. It traces the root causes for the vulnerable positions of girls and women and the challenges associated with improving their access to opportunities, education, healthcare and socio-economic freedoms. It explores national and international initiatives for the welfare and development of the girl child and recent social, legal and policy developments towards uplifting vulnerable girls in largely patriarchal societies in India. It looks at debates over age and rights; the status of the girl child; the causes and consequences of being vulnerable; various aspects of welfare and protection and the cultural relativism and violation of human rights of girls and women. An important volume on human rights, this book will be of interest to students, researchers and practitioners of gender studies, sociology of the family, human rights, law and civil liberties, development studies, socio-legal studies, and sociology and social policy.

With special reference to Uttar Pradesh.

"This book discusses regional and global discourses on the rights of children and especially girls. It focuses on social and government initiatives to address the marginalization of women and girls in societies across the world. It traces the root causes for the vulnerable positions of girls and women and the challenges associated with improving their access to opportunities, education, healthcare and socio-economic freedoms. It explores national and international initiatives for the welfare and development of the girl child and recent social, legal and policy developments towards uplifting vulnerable girls in largely patriarchal societies in India. It looks at debates over age and rights; the status of the girl child; the causes and consequences of being vulnerable; various aspects of welfare and protection and the cultural relativism and violation of human rights of girls and women. An important volume on human rights, this book will be of interest to students, researchers and practitioners of gender studies, sociology of the family, human rights, law and civil liberties, development studies, socio-legal studies, and sociology and social policy"--