Page 22 - NIS English January 16-31

Cover story Women Empowerment

Growing Love for Daughters

hen Brahma created life, Manu and Shatrupa were
Wborn from his body. Later, five children were born due
to their union. Of these, three were daughters and two sons.
Daughters were named as Aakuti, Devhuti and Prasuti.
Names of the sons were Uttanpaad and Priyavrat. These five
were the first children in the world. It is to be noted that among
the first five children, three were daughters. This means that
Nature and God also give more importance to daughters.
God has never differentiated between sons and daughters,
these distinctions are made by man. That is why, now,
with the educated society, this difference is also breaking
down. Looking at the various social malpractices like female
foeticide and killing or abandoning newborn girls, the level of
consciousness has increased in a section of society, so now
the couples are setting a precedent by adopting girls. Vivek
(name changed), a hotel manager from Vadodara considers it
correct. He himself gave priority to a girl child while adopting.
Data from the Central Adoption Resources Authority (CARA),
under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, show
how people’s thinking is revolutionised at a large scale.
According to CARA, in 2015-16 Indian couples adopted a
total of 3,011 children. Of which, the number of boys adopted
was 1,156 and the number of girls was 1,855. The figure has
been continuously increasing till 2018-19.

Indian Couples
Safe and Secure Women, Empowered Nation
Year Number of Male Female
Adoptions Child Child Assuring the women of their safety is critical to
enable their prosperity. To that end, no stone
2015-16 3,011 1,156 1,855
has been left unturned by the Government. It
2016-17 3,788 1,443 2,345
was a long-standing demand from the various
2017-18 3,823 1,483 2,340
quarters of the society to mete out strict
2018-19 4,027 1,629 2,398
punishment for crimes against women. For
2019-20 3,745 1,558 2,187
this, Parliament passed amendment to the
2020-21 2,285 954 1,331 Indian Penal Code that allows death penalty
upto
(5th Dec. 2020) for rape of a girl child younger than 12 years.
The punishment for the rape of girl child below
basic infrastructure to provide opportunity to new 16 years was also increased from 10 years
talent. Science and technology has become another to 20 years. To ensure fast justice, the law
area where women are taking lead. Sixteen Women states that both investigation and trial of such
Technology Parks were set up to foster innovation a heinous crime should be completed within
and scientific learning, while KIRAN fellowship two months. The speedy trial also ensures
allows women scientists to overcome obstacles. safety of the victim and their family as well as
20 New India Samachar