Discrimination against the Girl Child in India

Abstract

About one quarter of India's population comprises girl children up to the age of 19 years. Today's girl is tomorrow's mother. However, she is discriminated socially, psychologically, economically and in violation of the law. She is discriminated at the age of her rapid social, physical and mental development. This gender differentiation is socially defined and continues from cradle to grave. It is more in rural than in urban areas. So heavy is the weight of discrimination that it tips the scale of survival against her. It has been estimated that every sixth female death is due to gender bias (Prasad 1990:4). Therefore, different facets of this discrimination are discussed and some ameliorative measures are suggested herebelow.