KOLARAS, India, 30 October 2007 – When nine-month-old twins Devki and Rahul were brought by their mother to the Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre in Kolaras – located in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh – Rahul was a normal weight and size for his age, yet his sister Devki weighed just over half of what she should have. Devki’s condition was the result of severe malnutrition.
Both babies showed such varied weight and health that doctors suspected less food was given to Devki, a common occurrence in some areas of India where boys are often given more attention than girls.
When Devki was initially brought to the centre she was severely underweight, and doctors said she was a week away from death. Experts believe this case exemplifies a far more widespread social problem in cities and villages where, in many cases, the birth of boys is celebrated while newborn girls are at best tolerated and at worst, treated harshly.
Ask ourselves, is this a humane act, or one of the devil? Gender discrimination in India has taken a new face, it has escalated from what seemed to be a tiny spark to a huge forest fire. In the past, gender discrimination was limited to what seemed only to be inequality but now, girls are being abused to the extent of death, is this what we truly desire? Furthermore, are the alarming malnutrition rates in India is it due to India being undeveloped or is it due to gender discrimination? As this goes on, it is hard to say that gender discrimination in India is not headed straight to the abyss, and along with it, malnutrition in India.
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