The Rhema Project

UN Report: India worst place for girl child

dblacketor — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:51:37 +0000

This article was posted by Christian Today/India on Monday, February 6, 2012.

Unfortunately, “top down” legislation is at best extremely ineffective but this is where the most resources will be allocated because laws typically are in-acted to change actions. Just in the last few years, India as legislated 1) birth parent ID, 2) outlawed sex determination in ultrasounds and 3) restricted the adoption fees charged by the agencies to adoptive parents. Without exception, little if any change has occurred toward the killing of girls only the financial cost has increased significantly However, grassroots efforts, like our Prenatal and Newborn Care initiative is having significant impact on changing the cultural attitude of the Indian girl child from one of a liability to one of true value.

The country has the worst gender-based discrepancy in child mortality rates in the world.

Data from the United Nations shows that girls face an overwhelmingly greater risk of mortality than boys in India.

Statistics produced by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs show that India may be the worst place in the world to be born a girl. The case for this bold statement comes from the fact that an Indian girl-child below the age of five is 75 per cent more likely to die than her male counterpart.

The country has the worst gender-based discrepancy in child mortality rates in the world.

India’s situation remains different from that of its South Asian peers, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, where girls’ survival rates are better than boys’.

Globally, overall child mortality is falling, but India and China are not experiencing the same improvements in girls’ mortality occurring in other countries.

Girls are naturally more likely to survive infancy, given the same access to resources as boys. But, female child mortality in India has worsened over the past four decades. By the 2000s, only 56 male children died for every 100 females who died—the average in the developing world is 111 deaths of the boy-child.

In India, boys are favoured over girls, who represent a cost to their families in terms of dowries and weddings.

China, however, fares worse than India when it comes to infant mortality (deaths among children under the age of one). In China, 76 male infants die for every 100 females. While in India, 97 males infants die for every 100 females.

The World’s Women and Girls 2011 Data Sheet published by the Population Reference Bureau, presents projections indicating that while China and the rest of the world are expected to improve their skewed sex ratios between now and 2050, India’s will remain constant at 108 boys for every 100 girls. The natural rate is 105 boys for every 100 girls.

The UK’s Telegraph spoke to Ranjana Kumari of the Council for Social Research, who spoke about parents’ own discrimination against their daughters. Indian mothers, she said, breastfeed girls for a shorter length of time than they do boys for fear that extended breastfeeding will speed the age of puberty and the need for an expensive wedding.

Parents also wait longer to seek medical care for their daughters, whose survival is not as important as their sons, particularly in rural India. Experts have also pointed to female infanticide as another problem.

Women and girls make up 60 per cent of the world’s hungry. They are among the first people to go without when food is scarce. This affects their overall health and wellbeing, including immune vulnerability to diseases.

India has the second-largest population in the world. In less than 40 years it will surpass China as the world’s most populous nation with more than 1.6 billion inhabitants. But 900 million people—about 76 per cent of the population—live on less than $2 a day.

India Faces Female Infanticide Crisis

dblacketor — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:06:14 +0000

By Rupan Jain Nair (AFP). This is a reprint of an article first published in India (February 2012)
It is a good first step that Indians begin to understand the scope and depth of the problem of female infanticide, sex determination f(o)eticide and gender discrimination against the Indian girl child. Together we can find solutions to end this gendercide that may take the lives of up to 3 million girls each year in India.

Padma Kanwar Bhatti is the only girl in her noisy classroom of 22 boys, in Devda, a village in Rajasthan (AFP/File, Roberto Schmidt)

DEVDA, India — As the only girl in her noisy classroom of 22 boys, Padma Kanwar Bhatti is one defiant symbol of the toll exacted by India’s deadly preference for male children.

Padma, 15, lives with her parents and two elder brothers in Devda, a village of 2,500 residents in the Rajasthan state district of Jaisalmer, which has one of the worst female sex ratios in the country.

“There is no other girl in my class and there are very few girls in our village,” she says hesitantly.

Padma chooses to stare at her social science text book when asked why there are less girls and more boys in her village set in the barren lands of the Thar desert.

“Girls die,” she says in Marwari, the main language of Rajasthan.

Almost everyone in Devda and neighbouring villages acknowledges the reality of female infanticide, a crime based in ancient custom and continued today even as much of India experiences rapid economic and social change.

“We are crazy for boys. We mourn when girls are born,” says Rajan Singhi, a farmer in Devda and a father of two boys, who is proud of his long ancestry as a member of the warrior Bhatti Rajput clan.

In most cases the killing takes place within 24 hours of a baby’s birth and the crime is committed either by the mother or the midwife, he says.

“I have heard that people administer opium or thrust a small but heavy sack filled with sand or mustard seeds on the baby’s face. Many mothers do not breast feed their daughter, starving the child to death,” Singhi says.

Local historians believe infanticide in the region may have its roots in wars fought generations ago when Rajput Hindu clan elders chose the drastic step of killing their daughters to save them from rape by Muslim invaders.

The Muslim attackers would plunder Hindu villages, rape girls and throw them in the village wells.

“Unable to deal with the dishonour, the Rajputs chose to kill their daughters,” Umashankar Tyagi, a social historian in Jaipur, the state capital of Rajasthan, told AFP.

In peace time, the custom continued to thrive, Tyagi said, explaining that “the expense of dowries, illiteracy, poverty are the new justification for infanticide”.

Clan elders and state government officials say that just two Devda girls have had weddings in the village in the last 100 years.

The situation reflects a nationwide crisis in India, where the preference for boys is partly due to the key role that sons play in Hindu funeral ceremonies.

Other factors are the substantial — and illegal — dowries that a father must provide for his daughter’s new family at her wedding, and the fact that sons are often seen as breadwinners and daughters as financial burdens.

As many as half a million female foetuses are estimated to be aborted each year in India, according to a study by British medical journal The Lancet.

In Rajasthan, local administration and senior police officials say they are aware of the atrocities committed against female infants, but the authorities appear reluctant to intervene into private family lives.

“Infanticide is an open secret but it is next to impossible to prove the crime,” says Mamta Bishnoi, senior police officer of Jaisalmer district.

“Girls are buried in the desert and no one in the clan ever inquires about the newborn or mourns the loss,” says Bishnoi, adding “we cannot dig up the entire desert to hunt for the girls.”

The Jaisalmer district has one of the worst child gender ratios in India. It stands at 868 girls under six per 1,000 boys, compared with 914 girls per 1,000 boys across India, according to 2011 census data.

In Devda, women are relegated to the innermost chamber of the house, and can step out only for a visit to the temple.

They walk in pairs, covering their faces with bright coloured scarves like a screen, so that even the shadow of a man does not fall on them.

“I don’t send my daughter to the school because I don’t like idea of girls talking to male teachers,” says Bimla Devi Bhatti, a mother of two daughters.

“We have to give gold, silver, cash, vessels, beds, television sets, air coolers, clothes to the groom’s family and also arrange for a three-day village feast during a daughter’s wedding,” says Bhatti.

“We have to start saving for the dowry since the day a daughter is born. I will have to sell my land to get them married.”

In an attempt to end the killing, the state government has proposed to open a bank account for every girl child born in the state and deposit 25,000 rupees (500 dollars).

Once the girl turns 18, the government will gift her the amount to give the family a financial incentive to save their daughters.

“But this proposal is yet to be implemented,” says Yashveer Pokharan, who works in a private school in Devda. “Daughters here desperately need this financial support to survive.”

Any hope that the modernisation of Indian life could provide better prospects for the unborn girls of Devda may be misplaced.

Cheap prenatal sex-determination technology such as ultrasound scans and blood tests has only worsened the problem of female foeticide in India’s middle-class city suburbs.

The $500 Question – Year End Review

dblacketor — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 17:23:59 +0000

It has been an amazing year watching our small initiatives bring life, value and opportunity to the Indian girl child spark a movement across south India.

Because of your generosity with have seen the survival rate of girl babies increase 75 to 80% in remote villages.

We have heard foster parents tell us they no longer want our monthly financial support because they believed it was their responsibility to not only love and provide care for these abandoned girls but to support them financially.

We have seen a barren plot of ground be reclaimed through drip irrigation that now provides vegetables and other produce to 85 school children, single parent families and the forgotten elderly.

Bethel School Children Singing Before Class We have watched preschool and kindergarten children sing from the depth’s of their souls as they prepared to enter their newly renovated school.

We have listened to young women weep as they share the gratitude and hope they now have as they study to become a nursing assistant which will not only increase their income by 3 fold but will give them dignity and self-worth.

We have watched fathers proudly hold their young daughters sharing they never knew a girl could bring so much joy and happiness to their families.

We have seen children from the poorest of poor Indian families excel in their school work because their teachers not only taught them well but were adequately compensated for their worth.

We have been inspired by the reaction of nearly 1,200 college students after they were confronted with the horrors of female infanticide and sex determination feticide and then bringing their very best to encourage Indian girls to hold onto their hopes and dreams.

We have partnered with an amazing company to bring joy to a group of orphan girls.

Even though my eyes, ears and heart has experienced all the good and right of our efforts, I must admit there are days that I must fight through the melancholy of the challenges that still remain ahead.

I remember sitting with a middle-aged women as she wept over her village that kills hundreds of baby girls each year and casually drops their dying bodies in the well in front of their small clinic.

I learn of an ultrasound device the size of my iPhone that is being sold to evil men in India so they can illegally tell a family the sex of their unborn for $10 and direct them to a friend’s abortion clinic where 99 out of 100 aborted fetuses are girl babies.

I sit and listen to the director of an orphanage tell a hospital they cannot take any more abandoned newborn girls this month. Even though the orphanage actually has a waiting list of Indian families wanting to adopt a girl baby they cannot take more babies because the government will not allow them to charge enough for their basic services to rescue, care and place these death-bond newborns.

So, there are times I must fight through the whys. Why am I not smarter so I can raise more money? Why am I not more convincing when I share the story so more will be inspired to give? Why is it so easy for me to be critical of others’ excesses when I have a constant personal battle discerning my over indulgent wants from my more than adequate needs?

Angela Visits Children Attending a One Room School

As we approach the end of 2011 here is what I know – We know we can rescue Indian girl babies from death. We know how to begin to transform a culture so that it values their daughters as much as they do their sons. We know we have remarkable field partners and we are astounded on how much they can accomplish with so little resources.

Here is what I believe. The financial cost to bring life, value and opportunity to an Indian girl baby is $500. That’s the number. $500 allows us to change her fate from death to life. The transaction can be as simple as subsidizing the orphanage’s costs for an Indian family to adopt a baby girl to the complexities of transforming a village that is presently killing 75% of its baby girls.

$500 at times seems like a lot of money to spend. At other times I don’t think twice about it. But $500 is the cost on whether one newborn girl baby lives or dies in India in 2012. For me and my family, 2012 is a year we will learn to choose to spend our financial resources more wisely.

God bless!

20/20 Exposes Disappearing Daughters in India

dblacketor — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:51:31 +0000

ABC News (20/20) aired a news report last Friday night (12/9/2011) about the issue of female infanticide and sex identification feticide in India. They did a very good job outlining the issue and how many Indian families are choosing to abort their daughters even though the determination of the sex of the fetus is illegal in India.

Go to www.abc.go.com/watch/2020 to link to the program.

Why is the Demand for Adoption Still Allowing Girl Babies to Die?

dblacketor — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:29:46 +0000

One of our field partner orphanages in South India has a waiting list of Indian families that want to adopt a baby girl. Each week the orphanage is also called by infant cradles asking them if they have room for an unwanted newborn baby girl. Most times the director must tell them “at this time we can not accept anymore babies.”

How can this be and yet so many girl babies are aborted, killed or neglected in India each year?

I believe the root problem is government regulation. Think Slum Dog Millionaire – the movie about the horrific conditions in orphanages and how evil men abuse, mutilate and sell children for personal profit.

This is the reality in some orphanages in India. So, the government attempted to restrict the “financial gain” an orphanage could make from caring for an orphan child. Problem is, this has a direct impact on great orphanages all over India.

The government has limited the adoption fee to approximately $100 USD even when the adoptive parents are willing and able to pay more. The challenge. It cost an orphanage about $500 to rescue and care for a newborn child for six months. Add the costs to evaluate and educate potential adoptive Indian parents and the orphanage is loosing money on every child they adopt.

It does not matter whether you are a for profit or non profit. You can not “keep your doors open” if you are loosing money.

This is why good and reputable orphanage – many with a waiting list for baby girl adoptions must tell the infant cradles they can not take another newborn baby girl.

Yes, the laws in India need to be modified so good is able to do more good. But in the short-term, The Rhema Project is looking into ways we can help cover the financial gap.
It also allows us to uphold one of our core principles – We must help Indians own the solution to end the genocide of baby girls in their country You see, the estimated cost to rescue, care, clothe, educate and fund a small dowry for an orphaned girl over a 20 year period is at least $15,000. For $500 we can do the same plus have her loved and cared for by an Indian adopted family.

Just think what might happen if all over America families decided that this holiday season they could be part of giving the greatest gift ever to another family 9,000 miles away!

Gatherings!

dblacketor — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:20:53 +0000

This fall we are launching “Gatherings!” The goal is for Friends of Rhema to invite their close group of friends to a gathering – it can be a wine & cheese tasting party, a coffee and cookies get together or Sunday brunch.

At the end of the event, a group of friends will have had a great time and learned more about The Rhema Project and its mission to end the killing of baby girls in India. Each person will leave with the knowledge that they too can have a direct and meaningful impact.

If you are interested in hosting or attending one of these events, let us know and we will get you on the schedule.

Matilda Jane Clothing Partners with The Rhema Project to Provide Clothes to Orphan Girls

dblacketor — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:00:18 +0000

Matilda Jane Donates Clothes to Bethel AFC Girls

When all that is yours needs to be stored in a small locker and your wardrobe consists of one school dress, one sports outfit (worn on Friday for game day at school) and a tattered blouse and skirt for weekends receiving a new outfit from America one day is like having Christmas and your birthday all wrapped up into one!

This is what is happening this Friday when the girls from Bethel AFC orphanage will open the clothing donated by Matilda Jane. The boxes of clothing arrived early this week but “Christmas morning” needed to be delayed because of midterm exams at school. They know getting a good education is their only hope for a better tomorrow. So, regardless of how excited the girls have been to wear their new Matilda Jane clothing they know they needed to study first.

Unlike most of us in America who quickly forget what we actually got for Christmas or our birthday, these orphan girls will cherish their new “digs.” Most times these girls only get the “left overs” after they are no longer wanted by the original wearer. Not these outfits, Matilda Jane has donated brand new clothing and the first time they will be worn is when the girls of Bethel quickly run back to their room and change into their new outfit. After a brief fashion show with much laughter and smiles, the girls will return to their room and will be neatly hang up their Matilda Jane’s in their small locker and then only worn on special occasions.

Next time you are looking for clothing for your little girl check out Matilda Jane’s website (www.matildajaneclothing.com) because when you buy from them you will be also giving toward an Indian orphan girl at Bethel AFC.

Thanks to Alicia Lewis, customer care extraordinaire for Matilda Jane and TRP board member Denise Walsh for making this Friday so very special for a group of girls in India.

Shout Out to End Female Infanticide… Bethel to Bethel

dblacketor — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:00:43 +0000

Oct 4, 2011. Today nearly 100 students from Bethel College participated in the launch of our campaign “Shout Out… So She Can Be Heard!” The objective was not only to inform students about female infanticide, feticide and gender discrimination against the Indian girl child but directly connect each student with an orphan girl from Bethel AFC in Danishpet, India.

The campaign is also being launched on several other college campuses as well as with university students in Nagpur, India.

Dr. Ted Bryant Speaks to Bethel College Students

Dr. Ted Bryant and his wife Angela shared their personal experiences about India and how the students could have impact even from 9,000 miles away. Several Bethel College students also spoke on how their trips to India had a profound impact on their world view and a better understanding of the issues in a developing country.

The event allowed students to;

1. Empower A Child – wrote a personal note, created a friendship Indian bracelet and recorded a video message that will be delivered to the girls living at Bethel AFC.

2. Influence A Friend – students jumped online to learn more about the issues and then connected with other students and friends to share what they had learned.

3. Impact A Nation – each student signed a resolution that will be sent to the US State Department with the goal of 5,000 signatures

During the internet cafe experience, two co-ed students used their skills to send a “Shout Out” with a YouTube message.

It was a good day at Bethel College!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Vote for TRP – Force for Good!

dblacketor — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 02:33:31 +0000

The Rhema Project has been nominated as a Force for Good. Less than 20 non profit organizations have been nominated and approved. Beginning, Friday August 12th at 5:00 PM (EST) nominees will be asked to gather votes from supporters and friends of their organizations. The top vote getting organizations will then be reviewed with one organizations receiving a $5000 gift for brand development and marketing strategy.

Friends can vote once a day from August 12th thru the 26th by going to Force for Good/The Rhema Project.

Vote every day. Tell your friends! The future of these girls depends upon it.

Intern Shares Her Experience about Bethel AFC

dblacketor — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 20:00:11 +0000

Olivia’s Favorite Moment @ Bethel

Olivia, a premed undergrad student from Hillsdale College shares a few of your thoughts about her summer internship at Bethel AFC in Danishpet, India.

Olivia has been spending her days assisting the dentist who’s office is located in Bethel’s hospital. Each late afternoon she returns to the campus to play with the young girls at the “baby home” or sharing stories with the girls living in the orphanage.

I don’t know if you can adequate prepare yourself for living in a developing country but Olivia has done a remarkable job coping with the challenges of daily life.

Olivia – we are very proud of you and know your experience this summer will have a profound impact on the rest of your life!