Mumbai’s girl child initiative Laadli Mumbai’s girl child initiative Population First

A Silent National Emergency A sharp and steady decline in sex ratios in the 0-6 age group across the country Sex ratio decline directly linked to availability of ultra sound facilities Unlike infanticide which was limited to a few pockets, sex selective abortions are wide spread across the country NRTs providing non-threatening, easy options to ensure that male preference continues to dominate Indian psyche Population First

Sex selection is a key social issue Rooted in patriarchal value of son preference Indicative of a gender divide in society which is not in tune with the development aspirations of the country Also responsible for the demographic divide in the country as it encourages large families in anticipation of an elusive son Population First

It is time to bring in a social movement The scale and extent of the practice of sex selection calls for matching interventions on a national scale Falling sex ratio should be declared a national emergency and adequate resources should be allocated for the same. It is also important to build a national consensus on the issue and mobilize all the stakeholders to stop the practice of sex selection Population First

How do we bring in a movement? Launch a national communication campaign on the issue to create awareness Put in place institutional mechanisms to support civil society organizations to participate in the monitoring of the implementation of the PCPNDT Law Build capacities of the implementers to implement the law effectively. Population First

Laadli Is Not a project It is not a mere campaign Laadli is Mumbai’s girl child movement A project or a campaign is owned implemented and led by a organization A movement occurs.... When vision is shared when the issue is owned up by every member of the society and when each and every One of us is willing to be the change we desire Population First

What is different about Laadli? Laadli is a model communication campaign It addresses the core social values that promote male preference and justify sex selection It builds public opinion and promotes community participation Population First

Our objective … is to change the perceptions and values to create a positive image of the girl child Population First

How do we change such deep rooted values? Break the silence around t issues and impress upon people that times have changed Stop sympathizing with the perpetrators and justify the crime Provide community support to the vulnerable couples Be vigilant towards misuse of technology Value and celebrate her life in the family and community Population First

We work with Opinion makers, role models and youth icons to impart visibility and build public opinion Youth of the city to take the issue into the homes and communities Community based organizations and NGO networks to create awareness, provide support services and bring in greater vigilance Media to shape public perceptions and values Medical professionals for effective implementations of the PCPNDT Act Population First

Looking ahead Gender auditing and budgeting in all development activities to ensure the benefits of development reach women Gender to be mainstreamed into all activities and campaigns pertaining to youth Establishing counseling centers and help lines for women facing violence particularly for sex selection Population First

Looking ahead… Support to a focused, time bound and effective national communication and media campaign to bring in mass awareness about the issue. Investing to make the social environment safe and secure for women and enable them to pursue their social and economic aspirations Building capacities and providing institutional support mechanisms for the NGOs and implementers to carry out effective sting and decoy operations, Population First