Saga of Discrimination of Girl Child in India

Girls in India face discrimination from cradle to grave in different forms and in different arenas of life. However, it is long survival of women compare to men (due to menopause older women free from risk of bearing children in later life and live longer (Cromie, 1998), which makes them 48% of population (Census, 2011). At every step, she is in patriarchal shackles with no opportunity to escape and fly. In society, she is equated as a commodity or a chattel and she has no freedom to make choices or express her opinion. It is because of deep rooted biases and internalization of patriarchal value. There are many underlying facts contributing the torment life of girls including female foeticide, child abuse, malnourishment, child mortality, dowry, malpractices in families etc. The present paper analyse the various discriminatory practices prevalent in India against girl child. The paper also emphasises that the innocence and sanctity of childhood must be protected and nurtured to flourish the bright future of girls in India.