Children wait for food under the midday meal

Since about 1980, the Indian economy has grown, in terms of its gross domestic product (GDP), at over 6 per cent per annum compound, as against an average for the period 1950 to 1980 of around 3 to 3.5 per cent. More recently, between 2003-04 and 2007-08, the rate of growth of India’s GDP even breached the 8 per cent barrier, giving rise to breathless celebrations in sections of the media about India being rapidly on its way to being a “superpower” or at the very least an economic powerhouse.

 New scheme to cut infant, maternal mortality rate

Aimed at reducing the infant and maternal mortality rate, a new programme, Navjat Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram, has been launched to train health care providers at health centres across the country.

 The real-life balika-vadhus

For centuries, in these parts of rural Rajasthan, child brides were silent puppets, stifled within the walls of patriarchy. But now young girls, their mothers and 'bahus' are raising their voices loud enough to be heard beyond the courtyard. They've emerged from the shadows, intent on ending child marriages that force 15-year-olds to become mothers, often even earlier. They are convincing parents to send girls to school..

 NGO seeks fast-track courts for female foeticide cases

In a bid to draw attention to the cause of female foeticide, Population First, a non-governmental organization, plans to send a petition signed by one lakh citizens to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by the end of this month. The petition lists six demands including the setting up of fast track courts to try all cases filed under the anti-sex selection law and appointment of a special prosecutor at the state level to handle such cases.

 More than 60% married woman die due to unsafe sex practices: Survey

As many as 360 women were dying per day in the country and the maternal mortality rate (MMR) was still high (between 400-600 per one lakh populations) in the country, she said. More than 60 per cent of married woman were still not using contraceptives and majority of them were getting pregnant before the age of 14 years, she added while hinting at the gravity of the situation.

 Caritas uses folk songs to get message heard

Caritas Bangladesh is using a folk-music form to reach illiterate villagers in remote areas and confront issues such as child marriage, the dowry system, alcohol abuse, polygamy and HIV/AIDS. "In the past we have tried to make people aware of (such issues) through seminars and meetings but those didn't work for them,"

 STATE MINISTERS MEET ON WOMEN & CHILDDEVELOPMENT INAUGURATED

The Centre has urged the State Governments to expedite and effectively implement Economic and Social Empowerment Schemes for the Women. Important legislations on women should be closely monitored and efforts should be made for improvement in the schemes, if required. Inaugurating the State Ministers’ meet to review women and child development programmes..