Page 44 - index
P. 44
Bias Against Daughters -
I got married in 2009. I became pregnant four months later. When I informed my husband and in-laws
about my pregnancy, without undergoing a medical check-up, my mother-in-law told my husband that
the unborn child was a girl. When I questioned how my mother-in-law was that sure about it being a
girl, his family said that her predictions were always true and that she was working in a hospital as an
administrator so she knew.
Since I was not ready for an abortion, three of them kicked me as if I am a football and my husband
stood on my abdomen and started jumping so that it results in a miscarriage. When I started bleeding,
they kept me in a locked room, tied my hands and legs, put tape on my mouth and kept me without food
and water for five days.
I could not even tell my parents what kind of harassment I was going through as my husband kept a
knife on my throat and threatened me that if I utter a single word about the incident, he will kill me. A
month later, my husband wanted me to sign the divorce paper as his mom thought that all the future
babies from me will be girls. When I refused to sign the divorce paper for this silly reason, they beat me
up and threw me out of the house that night. Now a domestic violence case is pending before the
honourable court of Karnataka.
-Foram
--
I am a proud dad of two daughters. They are now beautiful girls aged 13 and 15. I distinctly remember
the day when my younger daughter was born. I was sitting in the hospital hallway with a bunch of
friends and relatives when the nurse came out and sceptically gave me the news of the child being a
daughter. I was ecstatic, elated and full of joy.
With a big smile on my face, I turned to my friends and relatives expecting a shower of good wishes but
was shocked to see the expression on their faces. They looked as if they were sympathising and in a mute
way, offering their condolences. My joy turned into despair and slowly into anger. That was the day
when I realised how big a social taboo the girl child is.
The song from the show pierced my heart. I am living in Toronto for the last ten years but am moving
back this year. I would love to help you spread the message.
-Vinay
--
I am a chartered accountant and a proud father of a pyaari si chiraiya. She is seven years old. For the last
two-three years, I have been receiving advice from my friends and relatives to try for another baby.
Their logic is that a boy is necessary. And when I say that there is no guarantee that the second baby will
be a boy, most of them say that it is quite easy nowadays to go for a sex determination test and an
abortion.
I wish people understand that there is no difference between a boy and a girl. In fact, I have seen so
many elderly people whose sons have left them but their daughters are taking care of them. People, feel
lucky if you have a girl. Girls are really precious!
-Chitranshu
41
I got married in 2009. I became pregnant four months later. When I informed my husband and in-laws
about my pregnancy, without undergoing a medical check-up, my mother-in-law told my husband that
the unborn child was a girl. When I questioned how my mother-in-law was that sure about it being a
girl, his family said that her predictions were always true and that she was working in a hospital as an
administrator so she knew.
Since I was not ready for an abortion, three of them kicked me as if I am a football and my husband
stood on my abdomen and started jumping so that it results in a miscarriage. When I started bleeding,
they kept me in a locked room, tied my hands and legs, put tape on my mouth and kept me without food
and water for five days.
I could not even tell my parents what kind of harassment I was going through as my husband kept a
knife on my throat and threatened me that if I utter a single word about the incident, he will kill me. A
month later, my husband wanted me to sign the divorce paper as his mom thought that all the future
babies from me will be girls. When I refused to sign the divorce paper for this silly reason, they beat me
up and threw me out of the house that night. Now a domestic violence case is pending before the
honourable court of Karnataka.
-Foram
--
I am a proud dad of two daughters. They are now beautiful girls aged 13 and 15. I distinctly remember
the day when my younger daughter was born. I was sitting in the hospital hallway with a bunch of
friends and relatives when the nurse came out and sceptically gave me the news of the child being a
daughter. I was ecstatic, elated and full of joy.
With a big smile on my face, I turned to my friends and relatives expecting a shower of good wishes but
was shocked to see the expression on their faces. They looked as if they were sympathising and in a mute
way, offering their condolences. My joy turned into despair and slowly into anger. That was the day
when I realised how big a social taboo the girl child is.
The song from the show pierced my heart. I am living in Toronto for the last ten years but am moving
back this year. I would love to help you spread the message.
-Vinay
--
I am a chartered accountant and a proud father of a pyaari si chiraiya. She is seven years old. For the last
two-three years, I have been receiving advice from my friends and relatives to try for another baby.
Their logic is that a boy is necessary. And when I say that there is no guarantee that the second baby will
be a boy, most of them say that it is quite easy nowadays to go for a sex determination test and an
abortion.
I wish people understand that there is no difference between a boy and a girl. In fact, I have seen so
many elderly people whose sons have left them but their daughters are taking care of them. People, feel
lucky if you have a girl. Girls are really precious!
-Chitranshu
41
