Guest guest Posted November 11, 2003 Report Share Posted November 11, 2003 An unsigned editotial from the Hindustan Times of New Delhi, India, Nov. 8 edition: POWER PUFF OUR GIRLS! The majority of this country's populace don't think it ridiculous that their goddess of learning is a woman. Yet, the girl child in their households continues to hold a broom instead of a book in her hand. UNESCO's report on the gender gap in education is all the more revealing as it follows closely on the heels of the Union health ministry's investigation into the falling sex ratio, which had dropped to 800 girls per 1,000 boys in some parts of the country. Of the 54 countries under the Unesco's scanner, India fares so dismally that the former predicts that it may not be able to narrow the gender divide in the classroom even by the year 2015, by which time its neighbours Bangladesh and Nepal would have long overtaken it. Poverty in many areas is one reason why children are generally kept out of school, with parents using them to enhance the family income. However, as the health ministry report showed, the discrimination in parents' minds against a girl child extends even to the prosperous sections, and is not just an economic phenomenon. Social norms that enclose a rule of conduct for women still have a strong hold on the Indian mindset and it is this stereotype that needs to be broken in order to make a difference. In economically poorer sections, parents need to be made more aware that an educated daughter, as well as a son, could contribute to an even larger income than at present. More female teachers would be an immediate association in parents' minds of education of girls as a means to poverty alleviation. Mid-day meals have seen a larger registration of students in schools and more such innovative ideas could be used as an incentive. But, most importantly, there can be no progress unless girls are seen to be equal to boys. URL: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_450914,0012.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2003 Report Share Posted November 11, 2003 Now its Power Puff Girls !!! What will Devi Bhakta think of next ? LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2003 Report Share Posted November 11, 2003 Hey, shaddap! *lol* , "N. Madasamy" <ashwini_puralasamy> wrote: > Now its Power Puff Girls !!! What will Devi Bhakta think of next ? LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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