A joint statement issued by a number of UN Bodies for the
first International Day of the Girl Child correctly targets many of the abuses
against girl children but is nevertheless, fatally flawed in that it ignores
the issue of sex selection abortion, the routine killing of millions of babies
simply because they are girls.
The statement correctly reminds States of their obligation
to promote and protect the rights of girls and that harmful practices against
girls, including early and forced marriage should be put to an end, in
accordance with international law.
The statement also correctly asserts:
No girl should be forced to marry. No girl should be
committed to servile marriage, domestic servitude and sexual slavery. No girl
should suffer from violations to their right to health, education,
non-discrimination and freedom from physical, psychological and sexual
violence. Not a single one.”
In stark contrast Women’s Rights Without Frontiers is
launching its “Save a Girl” campaign to end gendercide in China.
The following statement was issued by Women’s Rights Without
Frontiers President, Reggie Littlejohn.
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA. October 11 marks the first International Day of the Girl Child, as recognized by the UN General Assembly. To coincide with this event, Women’s Rights Without Frontiers is launching its “Save a Girl” campaign to end gendercide in China.Experts estimate that between 160 and 200 million women are missing in the world today because of the sex-selective abortion of baby girls.Because of this gendercide, there are now 37 million more men living in China than women, which gender imbalance is driving human trafficking and sexual slavery not only in China but in many of the surrounding nations as well.In response, Women’s Rights Without Frontiers has launched its “Save a Girl” campaign to end gendercide. According to WRWF President Reggie Littlejohn, “This campaign is a way that people can directly help save lives in China.” The campaign is designed to:Combat Gendercide. WRWF is giving monthly stipends for a year to mothers who are at risk of aborting or abandoning their baby girls. This money helps the mother resist pressure to abort or abandon their baby girls.Fight Forced Abortion: WRWF gives monthly stipends to help support women who are pregnant without a birth permit and are hiding or running to escape forced abortions.Littlejohn stated, “We are defeating gendercide and forced abortion, one baby at a time. It’s astonishing how little money it takes to save a life. For example, one of our baby girls was born to poor farmers. Her father wanted a son and was pressuring his wife to leave the baby out in the field to die. A WRWF Field Worker called the mother, who said that if we would help her, she would keep the girl.WRWF began giving her a small monthly stipend. Her daughter has become an adorable girl and is now greatly loved by both her parents.Her mother told WRWF: ‘You saved my daughter’s life. Thanks to you and your organization.’”The campaign also gives stipends to women who are fleeing forced abortions.Find out more about the Save a Girl Campaign here:
Notes
1. The focus of this BLOG POST is on the Girl Child because today October 11th has been declared the International day of the Girl Child. Whilst we at ELN reject all abortion we recognise that in some countries baby girls are specifically targeted simply because they are girls, resulting in what has become known as "gendercide"
