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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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