Girl child and women : official claims vs ground reality.

The government on 23 Jan, to mark National Girl Child Day, claimed steady progress in girls' education, health and empowerment, citing higher school enrolment, improved sex ratio at birth and rising female participation in STEM. 

Science

Technology

Engineering

Mathematics

STEM focuses on bridging the gender gap in these fields breaking down barriers and female participation in education and careers that are often male dominated. 

Let's see the statistics against the realities on the ground. 

Survival

* Sex ratio at birth improved to 930.

   State-wise variation : only 12 of 50 districts in Madhya Pradesh meet the benchmark of 952.

Education Access

* Girls' secondary (Gross Enrolment Ratio) at 80.2%

   Huge dropout after Class 10 due to marriage, domestic issues and economic pressure

Safety

* Strong legal framework

   4.48 lakh crimes against women in 2023

Higher Education

* Female enrolment rose by 38%

   Gains concentrated among urban and higher income groups

Employment

* Women-led development narrative

   Female Labour Force Participation Rate 34.1% among the lowest globally

Tailpiece.

Got up at 5, sent all the messages, switched on the hymns on the home theatre, lit up the lamp in the puja room and opened up the house for the day.

Morning cuppa with Lekha.

Walked on the road in front of The Quarterdeck; recited my prayers.

Breakfast and worked on my laptop.

Lunch, watched television followed by siesta.

The evening chores.