The Child S*x Ratio (CRS) in the age group of 0-6 years has been on a decline, indicating a pervasive s*x-selection practice and continued discrimination against the girl child. In 2001, the s*x ratio stood at 927 girls for every 1000 boys in the country, which dropped to 919 girls for every 1000 boys by 2011. CSR reflects both, pre-birth discrimination manifested through gender biased s*x selecti
on as well as post birth discrimination against girls. Skewed s*x ratios can have far-reaching & adverse social consequences. As the evidences from regions with s*x ratio imbalances indicate, it could contribute to increased violence against women, trafficking, increase in practices such as polyandry and overall rise in crime and general social disorder. The challenges
The Indian Government and various civil society groups have initiated several interventions to curb the declining child s*x ratio in the country. However, the impact of these interventions has been limited, and not matched the scale at which change is required to bring a balance in the child s*x ratio. While instruments such as the PCPNDT Act and other public campaigns and initiatives have managed to raise awareness about the issue, these initiatives have not resulted in a change in people’s perceptions and mindsets. Major road blocks such as strong patriarchal mindset, vested interest in gender biased s*x selection, inadequate monitoring and ineffective implementation of programmes, policy and law are prevalent across the country. Moreover, people’s representatives and the political systems have not treated this issue as an urgent priority. The need for urgent action
One of the major challenges confronting the interventions on DCSR is the process of consolidating the initiatives of various interest groups to take collective action against the issue. In the past, there has been a divergence in perspectives regarding actions and implementation, resulting in fragmentation of efforts towards this cause. In addition, large number of organizations that are engaged in public health, gender work, grassroots mobilization, and governance have the opportunity to integrate the issue of DCSR into their work, but are isolated from the discourse. Therefore, there is a need to explore and synergize the various perspectives of civil society groups and individuals working on the issue and integrate it amongst groups which are not working on this directly. How did Girls Count evolve? Facilitated and supported by the National Foundation for India (NFI) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), over 200 civil society organizations and activists engaged in deliberations to discuss strategies, and conceptualized the idea of a coalition to facilitate consolidation of civil society efforts in addressing the issue of DCSR. This led to the evolution of an independent civil society coalition called - Girls Count. The coalition is committed to addressing the factors that contribute to declining child s*x ratio in India. At a fundamental level, the coalition believes that the child s*x ratio imbalance reflects deeply entrenched patriarchal values that sustain and promote the phenomenon of son preference. Therefore, the coalition has adopted a twofold approach - effective implementation of the PCPNDT Act, and challenging patriarchal values and mindsets. Vision
Building a gender just society
Goal
Arrest the decline in the number of girls and develop positive attitudes, policy and practice for them. Mission Statement
Bring together stakeholders from diverse fields to collectively fight against DCSR and create an enabling environment for women and girls by challenging deep-rooted patriarchy and raising accountability of the state machinery to implement all gender related laws and policies in the country. Coalition structure
In order to accomplish the objectives of the coalition, an Executive Group, a Steering Group, and two Action Groups have been constituted by taking civil society representatives from different parts of the country. In addition, a National Convergence Point (Secretariat) has been set up in Delhi for supporting, coordinating and facilitating different ideas and initiatives across the country. The coalition is open to reshape its strategies and approaches based on the responses that emerge from the ground but with certain non-negotiables in place around ensuring reproductive rights of women. Objectives
Girls Count believes that approach to address the concerns and achieve its objectives needs to be comprehensive, multi-dimensional, multi-layered and multi-pronged. The four key objectives are -
1. Challenge patriarchy and its manifestations in government policies, programs and schemes to ensure equal opportunities for women and girls.
2. Ensure effective and accountable implementation of the PCPNDT Act.
3. Ensure DCSR is a critical agenda of the public domain through proactive engagement with influential social and political formations.
4. Strengthen and build coalitions with civil society networks and alliances. Strategies
The strategy will vary from place to place, to address location specific issues. However, some of the key strategies would include:
• Research and study on structural issues related to women and girls.
• Discussions and meetings: Face to face and online forums
• Media outreach
• Public and policy advocacy
• Bilateral dialogue and consultations
• Networking
Principles
Girls Count’s core approach and implementation will rest on certain principles which remain uniform across all locations. These are:
• Decentralization and inclusiveness.
• A platform approach with openness to different views and ideas.
• Alliances and network building with high flexibility and autonomy.
• Willingness to work under the leadership of others and adding our voice to existing campaigns.
• Lean and efficient functioning. Non-negotiables
The initiative aims to reach out to diverse stakeholders working directly or indirectly on the issue of declining child s*x ratio, and collaborate with them to ensure wider outreach, while adhering to certain non-negotiable core values:
• No compromise on the s*xual and reproductive rights of women.
• No compromise on safe and legal abortion.
• No interaction that deepen and reinforce patriarchy directly or indirectly.
• No use of terminologies that comprise women’s access to safe and legal abortion.
• Exercise caution in working with religious and spiritual leaders. Key audience
The initiative aims to raise consciousness about the growing concern of declining child s*x ratio across societies, occupations, organizations, and the general public and engage with the following to achieve the its objectives –
• Youth
• Policy makers
• Elected representatives
• Media
