Tackling Female Infanticide: Social Mobilisation in Dharmapuri, 1997-99

The heinous practice of female infanticide (FI) is widespread in several Indian states - even in states which boast of a better record in reducing gender inequality. These include the three southern states, minus Kerala, but also Maharashtra. FI is not merely not dying away, it is emerging as a dist...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Economic and political weekly 2000-12, Vol.35 (49), p.4345-4348
Main Authors: Athreya, Venkatesh, Sheela Rani Chunkath
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Communities
Death
Government officials
Infant mortality
Infanticide
Infants
Literacy
Nongovernmental organizations
Special Articles
Street theater
Womens studies
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Summary:The heinous practice of female infanticide (FI) is widespread in several Indian states - even in states which boast of a better record in reducing gender inequality. These include the three southern states, minus Kerala, but also Maharashtra. FI is not merely not dying away, it is emerging as a disturbing new phenomenon. That eradication of this practice is not on the agenda of the central or concerned state governments or even of the major political parties reflects the gender insensitivity in our society and polity. However, in Tamil Nadu over the last four-five years, a serious governmental effort is on to address the issue. Evidence from a set of interventions in Dharmapuri district suggests that, with political will, widespread generation of awareness and social mobilisation, a dent can be made in eradicating the evil of FI.
ISSN:0012-9976
2349-8846