DR. (MRS.) INTEZAR KHAN is Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work in Jamia Millia Islamia. She did her Ph.D on Social Work Interventions for Rehabilitation of Juvenile Delinquents (with reference to Special Home and Probation Unit at UT of Delhi) from Department of Social Work, Lucknow University. She was nominated Member Child Welfare Committee (under Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, Care & Protection) by Government of NCT of Delhi (for three years). In an interview with SHAFAQUE ALAM, she asserts that people need to change their mindset and to realise that there is no, and should not be any, difference between a boy and a girl. Excerpts:
A woman takes care of her species. Then why does a woman opt for selective abortion?
In most of the cases a woman opts for selective abortion under mounting pressure by her family members. This may be mother-in-law or husband or the other members of the family who force her to go for abortion if they come to know that the woman is pregnant and carrying a female foetus.
Why do people prefer a male child?
People prefer a male child because they have their mindset that the male child will continue their family name (i.e khandan ka naam) after their death. In the Hindu religion, it is believed that on the death of the father only son can scratch a matchstick on the pyre. Some parents feel that nurturing and educating girls is wastage of money because after marriage the girls leave their parental home.
Whom do you think is responsible for this?
Society is responsible for it. Patriarchy system is there in the society.
Do they fear for dowry?
Of course dowry is an important issue regarding this. Mostly, due to lack of sufficient dowry violence against women takes place within the family. Data shows that a number of dowry-deaths take place every year in this country.
Do you feel our education system is faulty?
I think education system does not play a very important role – in education we impart only subject-centric knowledge. It is noteworthy that the problem of violence against women, dowry, female foeticide, etc. is taking place even in educated families also. There is need to effect a change in the mindset and attitude of people by making them aware of and educating on these issues.
What is the government doing to wipe out this evil from society?
Government and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in partnership are trying to generate awareness on Rights and importance of girl child. They have also started some welfare schemes and programmes like Ladli to support the girls financially. Another important role of government is to enact the laws banning female foeticide. The Pre Natal Diagnostic Testing Act has been passed.
To what extent are doctors and hospitals responsible for this?
Doctors and hospitals are also responsible for this problem. In many cases still they are conducting Sex Determination tests, which is illegal and banned.
Can the government put an end to this evil alone?
The government cannot tackle this problem alone. In many areas the government and NGOs are working in partnership. Government, NGOs and Civil Society need to work together. People’s participation also is needed to tackle this problem. Government alone cannot put an end to this evil, because attitudes and mindset of the people need to be changed.
What is Jamia Millia Islamia doing in this regard?
As we are a teaching institution, we teach our students on these different issues of social problems of our society. Some of them are gender, gender discrimination, etc. We make the students aware of the problem of female foeticide. We are placing our students for their field work in different NGOs to work on the issues of women emancipation and gender issues.
What is the role of police in this game?
Police can play an important role. But even police need to be sensitised in these issues, as they are not aware of these laws enacted in tackling these issues.
What should be done to the guilty doctors and diagnostic clinics where this crime is committed?
They should be severely punished for perpetuating this crime and the family members who go for selective abortion just because foetus is female should also be punished.
Your message to the people and the government.
The government should be strict in implementing the laws. Awareness should be generated to know more about these laws and especially what the machineries are working in this regard. So people can approach to them as and when needed. People should change their mindset because there is no difference between a boy and a girl. Parents can play an important role in socialisation of their children. They should not discriminate among their children on the basis of gender.