EDUCATION

Though the female literacy rate is gradually rising, but in India it is lower than the male literacy rate. Compared to boys, far fewer girls are enrolled in the schools, and many of them drop out.

According to the National Sample Survey Data of 1997, only the states of Kerela and Mizoram have approached universal female literacy rates. According to majority of the scholars, the major factor behind the improved social and economic status of women in Kerala is literacy.

Under Non-Formal Education programme (NFE), about 40% of the centers in states and 10% of the centers in UT s are exclusively reserved for females. As of 2000, about 0.3 million NFE centers were catering to about 7.42 million children, out of which about 0.12 million were exclusively for girls. In urban India, girls are nearly at par with the boys in terms of education. However, in rural India girls continue to be less educated than the boys.
According to a 1998 report by U.S. Department of Commerce, the chief barrier to female education in India are inadequate school facilities (such as sanitary facilities), shortage of female teachers and gender bias in curriculum (majority of the female characters being depicted as weak and helpless).


^{Any solutions to these education problems mainly in rural areas??}

Thank You

Thank You guys for the overwhelming response..
We shall now take up your queries officially.

Today's Query:

WHY DO I FIGHT WITH MY PARENTS SO MUCH?

By: Riya

Reply by Expert:

eventually, kids grow up and become teens. And part of being a teen is developing your own identity — one that is separate from your parents'. It's totally normal for teens to create their own opinions, thoughts, and values about life; it's what prepares them for adulthood.

But as you change and grow into this new person who makes his or her own decisions, your parents may have a difficult time adjusting. They aren't used to the new you yet — they only know you as the kid who had everything decided for you and didn't mind.

In most families, it's this adjustment that can cause a lot of fighting between teens and parents. You want to cover your walls with posters; they don't understand why you don't like your kiddie wallpaper anymore. You think it's OK to hang at the mall every day after school; they would rather that you play a sport.

Clashes like these are very common between teens and parents — teens get angry because they feel parents don't respect them and aren't giving them space to do what they like, and parents get angry because they aren't used to not being in control or they disagree with the teens' decisions.

It's easy for feelings to get very hurt when there are conflicts like these. And more complicated issues — like the types of friends you have or your attitudes about sex and partying — can cause even bigger arguments, because your parents will always be intent on protecting you and keeping you safe, no matter how old you are.

The Upside

The good news about fighting with your parents is that in many families the arguing will lessen as parents get more comfortable with the idea that their teen has a right to certain opinions and an identity that may be different from theirs. It can take several years for parents and teens to adjust to their new roles, though. In the meantime, concentrate on communicating with your parents as best you can.

Sometimes this can feel impossible — like they just don't see your point of view and never will. But talking and expressing your opinions can help you gain more respect from your parents, and you may be able to reach compromises that make everyone happy. For example, if you are willing to clean your room in order to stay out an hour later, both you and your parents walk away with a good deal.

Keep in mind, too, that your parents were teens once and that in most cases, they can relate to what you're going through.

Kiran Bedi - A Tough Lady In All Male Bastion

"I'm here to do my best for the day" - Kiran Bedi
Kiran Bedi born on 9th June 1949 in Amritsar. She completed her schooling and graduation in Arts from her native place itself. She earned a master's degree the following year in Political science from Punjab University. The ardent learner with active service in the Indian Police also acquired a law degree (LLB) from Delhi University. She was also awarded a Ph.D. in 1993 in Social Sciences by the Department of Social Sciences, the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi.
As a teenager Kiran Bedi won Asian women's lawn tennis champion.
She met Brij Bedi at the Amritsar tennis courts who shared same interests, beliefs and goals and got married to him in 1972.
When Kiran and Brij Bedi learnt that their careers needed special attention both of them decided to lead a separate life by remaining soul companions. Both of them took delight in leading a life that reciprocates growth of an individual. When a far they took the delight in expressing their loneliness, unhappiness, and distance in the form of poetry. This kind of marital arrangement is unconventional in India even till this date.
When asked in an interview why did she choose career in Police she promptly replied, " For me policing is not punitive. It always stood for social welfare. But tough welfare. Where I could command welfare, I could demand welfare, and I could produce welfare."

Kiran Bedi began her career as a lecturer in Political Science (1970 -72). She left the post soon after she got selected for the Indian Police Service in the year 1972. In the police service she served in a number of different and challenging assignments that range from Traffic Commissioner of New Delhi, Deputy Inspector General of Police in insurgency prone Mizoram, Advisor to the Lieutanent Governor of Chandigarh, Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau and also on a United Nationsdeputation.

Kiran Bedi did not fear anybody. For her the law was the same for all, be it the President of India or any commoner. It is said that she once towed the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi car for parking violation who was on tour of United States.

Kiran Bedi also influenced other areas like control of narcotics, traffic management and VIP security. During her transfer to Tihar Jail as the Inspector General of Prison she worked relentlessly to give jailed convicts a new lease of life through meditation and spiritualism. She initiated a number of measures in prison management some of them are yoga, vipassana meditation, and redressing of complaints by prisoners. Her humane and fearless approach has contributed greatly to innumerable innovative policing and prison reforms.

Kiran Bedi has set up two major voluntary organizations called Navjyoti and India Vision Foundation
with the objectives of improving the condition of the drug addicts and the downtrodden. Her organization has been applauded from far and wide. It was also awarded 'Serge Soitiroff Memorial Award' for drug abuse prevention by the United Nations. She has recently been appointed as Director General of India's Bureau of Police Research and Development. Earlier, she was Police Advisor in the United Nations peacekeeping department, and has also been honored with the UN medal for outstanding service.

Her Awards
• President's Gallantry Award (1979)
• Women of the Year Award (1980)
• Asia Region Award for Drug Prevention and Control (1991)
• Magsaysay Award (1994) for Government Service (also called the Asian Nobel Prize)
• Mahila Shiromani Award (1995)
• Father Machismo Humanitarian Award (1995)
• Lion of the Year (1995)
• Joseph Beuys Award (1997)
• Pride of India (1999)
• Mother Teresa Memorial National Award for Social Justice (2005)

Happy Women's Day!!!!!!!!!

International Women's Day (IWD) is marked on March 8 every year. It is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women.
IWD is now an official holiday in China, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother's Day where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.

The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women's and society's thoughts about women's equality and emancipation. Many from a younger generation feel that 'all the battles have been won for women' while many feminists from the 1970's know only too well the longevity and ingrained complexity of patriarchy. With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women's visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality. The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women's education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.

However, great improvements have been made. We do have female astronauts and prime ministers, school girls are welcomed into university, women can work and have a family, women have real choices. And so the tone and nature of IWD has, for the past few years, moved from being a reminder about the negatives to a celebration of the positives.

Emergency Helpline Numbers

Woman & Child Helpline Telephone No. 1091 (toll free)

In order to provide necessary assistance to such victims, a round the clock ‘Women Helpline’ had been set up at the Police Control Room (PCR) at Chandigarh Police Headquarters. In order to streamline its functioning this facility has been shifted to the Woman & Child Support Unit. Its scope is further hereby expanded so that it also helps children and from now onwards it shall be known as ‘WOMAN AND CHILD HELPLINE’.


OTHER HELPLINES

* Jagori is a women's training, documentation, communication and resource centre that was established in 1984 with the aim of carrying feminist consciousness to a wider audience using creative media. They run a counselling center and support group for women survivors of violence. Contact: B-114, Shivalik, Malviya Nagar NEW DELHI 110 017 Phone: 011 26691219 & 2669 1220 Helpline: 011 2669 2700 (Mon-Fri, 9.30-5.30). Email: helpline@jagori.org
* Sakshi, Delhi. A Violence Intervention for Women and Children -- works on sexual harassment, sexual assault, child sexual abuse and domestic violence. Focuses on equality education for judges, implementation of the 1997 Supreme Court Sexual Harassment Guidelines, outreach and education. B-67 South Extension Part-1, First Floor, New Delhi-110065. Tel: 4643946/4623295 Email: s.sakshi@mailcity.com
* Women's Rights Initiative runs a pro bono legal aid cell for domestic violence cases and are also associated with law reforms in the area of domestic violence. 63 / 2, First floor, Masjid road, Jungpura, New Delhi. Ph: 4316925 / 4313904 / 432101. Email: wri@vsnl.net.
* Majlis, Bombay. (Flavia, Veena or Saumya) - 618 0394
* SNEHA is based in Dharavi, and works to empower women and children in poor urban communities. SNEHA's Center for Vulnerable Women and Children specifically provides services (including counseling, legal assistance and community organizing) to women and children experiencing domestic violence.
* Swaadhar, Bombay. (Jyoi Kelkar) - 872 0638
* International Foundation for Crime Prevention and Victim Care (PCVC), Chennai. Crisisline +91 44 43111143; email:pcvc2000@yahoo.com
* Sneha, Madras.
* Vimochana, 2124 16th B Main 1-A Cross, HAL IInd Stage, Bangalore 560038. Phone: (city code = 80) 526 9307. Deals with many women's issues from domestic violence to labour issues. Activities range from counselling, service provision, education and outreach, mobilizing and organizing, activism.
* Anweshi Women's Counselling Centre, near YWCA, Cannanore Road, Kozhikode 673 001. Run a counselling, mediation and resource center for women facing any kind of abusive situation. If writing to them, please enclose a self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage.
* Sachetna, 31, Mahairban Road, Calcutta.
* Socio-Legal Aid Research and Training Center, P-112 Lake Terrace, Calcutta.
* Pragatisheel Mahila Manch, 11 N. Ho Chi Minh Road, Sarania, Behala, Calcutta 700 061.
* Swayam, 9/2 B Deodar Street, Kolkata 700019. Tel:2486 3367, 2486 3378, 2486 3357 Email: swayam@cal.vsnl.net.in.

Bollywood joins its hands for Pearls Waves movement

MUMBAI: Pearls Broadcasting Corporation Ltd. officially announced and supported the Pearls Wave Trust on 6th February 2010 at JW Marriott Hotel in Mumbai. Katrina Kaif, Saif Ali Khan and Harman Baweja expressed their intent to raise their voice against violence on women in an initiative titled PEARLS WAVE (Women against Violence).

Pearls Wave NGO (Pearls Broadcasting Corporation Ltd), a unique initiative and a step contributing towards raising a voice that is unanimous for all women throughout the country. Abuse, harassment, threat and torture together form a vicious circle which has been going on in India for years now, Pearl’s wave intends to put an end to such exploitation and bring about are revolutionary change.

Breakthrough, Pearls Wave NGO working for the rights of women supports the harassed and abused, is looking to provide a platform for such women ill-treated in the hands of their partners or families.

Audio Visual of Pearls NGO was also unveiled having snapshots of women against violence and messages from celebrities -Jenelia Dsouza, Vidya Balan, Ajay Devgan, Karan Johar, Priyanka Chopra, Minisha Lamba, Shahid Kapoor, and Abhay Deol pledging their support for PEARLS WAVE. With this Pearls Wave Trust announced the Ground Event on the 20th, February (that will be Celebration for Women) where Pearls Wave will felicitate 10 women from different fields of society. Later it will be telecasted on 28th February.

Mr. Jyoti Narain Director, Pearls Broadcasting Corporation Ltd. said “I am thankful to all the stars, came to support the Pearls Wave Trust. Pearls Broadcasting Corporation is a well known name all over India. It has taken initiative to come forward and fight for the causes of the society. As a corporate we moved ahead and tried to rectify the causes at grass root level. P 7 with its tagline Ek Ummed, is trying to raise the Umeed of the society. Pearls Broadcasting Corporation gave birth to Pearls NGO and it’s trying to bring women issues under corporate social responsibilities. Pearls Wave ki Lehar shouldn’t end after ground event on 20th Feb. All these things support our tagline of the NGO– ‘Ek Lehar Uth Ke Rahegi’.

Speaking on the occasion, Katrina said, “My mom is always involved with women charity. Today I am very happy to help this cause and will give something back to the society. Across the country we have NGOs and people who are willing to help those affected by violence and difficulties in their lives. It is our responsibility to make women aware of these facilities and tell them how to use it to fight abuse.”

While Harman, said “It’s a brave effort from the organization, equally important for men to understand and support the cause. There are organizations across the country working to spread this message, and together, it is our responsibility to spread the word against violence. It is our responsibility to stand up for women against violence. Don’t forget Men are only stronger in strength and women are in many other ways.”

Added Saif Ali Khan, said, “Actors as role models, having responsibility towards society and should lend their support to causes like violence against women. We need to make people aware about it, if public opinion can be affected with our association we can contribute to it.”

Pearls Broadcasting Corporation Limited has been running a National News and entertainment TV channel
P7 News. P7 News is conscious of its Corporate Social Responsibilities. Thus, it has been meeting the entertainment needs of the common man by telecasting TV serials, documentary films, tele-films, Ad-films and special feature films on various social objectives. It has been telecasting both live as well as recorded programmes.

In order to meet up its social objectives, especially pertaining to women empowerment, domestic violence, eradication of social evils Likes Dowry, Sati Pratha, Female Foeticide, Sexual and Emotional Abuse Economic Deprivations, Abusive Behaviors, Slapping Punching With Fists, Choking or Burning, Malnutrition, Physical Aggression And Domestic Violence, Deprivation Of Freedoms And Human Rights And To Help Women In Distress, Pearls Broadcasting Corporation Limited has sponsored an NGO totally devoted to these social objectives. The name of this NGO is Pearls Wave Trust.

Pearls Wave NGO is supported by P7 News. It has been awakening the people against the aforesaid social evils through broadcasting news, speeches of eminent personalities and highlighting news & stories on these issues. It has become a channel, which is a first channel to report the cases of atrocities on women. The channel P7 News has been highlighting the need of women education, development of technical skills in women, getting the women in distress through the said NGO.

These efforts of P7 News will go a long way in the direction of social empowerment. Pearls group of Companies are rendering a helping hand. Pearls Wave Trust is the implementation arm for meeting the social responsibility of Pearls Group of Companies. P7 News has been practicing other modes to achieve the said social objectives i.e. by arranging fashion shows, inviting the film celebrities, especially the popular actresses, bites of well known social leaders & politicians, holding seminars, managing events sponsoring free medical checkups, donations to educational institutions rehabilitation programmes for women in distress, organizing cultural programmes, star nights, dedicated to widows & women below poverty line.

An effort will be made to develop the skills of women in fine arts, handicrafts music, painting, dancing, yoga, modeling for physical, mental and spiritual development based on moral values of life. Special attention will be given for starting maternity homes, child care centers, Health Clinics, old age homes for the destitute.

P7 News & Pearls Wave Trust understand this heavy responsibility on the shoulders of the society and with the help of its News Channel, social reformers, politicians, film industry and with active women wants to come forward to help the women. They have borne the tyranny of man from a long time. Now time has come for a crusade against violence on women. P7 News & Pearls Wave Trust has recently initiated its efforts through organizing an “All India Women Concert 2010” in the service of women society.

Govt declares National Girl Child day on January 24

The government would declare January 24 as the national girl child day with a focus on targeting the scourges of female foeticide,
domestic violence and malnutrition.

The girl child day to be announced by Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chaudhry on January 19 was cleared by the Cabinet recently.

Usually, such dates are decided according to international days, but in this case since all countries have their separate days for the girl child, the ministry zeroed in on this day, a senior official in the Women and Child Development Ministry said.

Along with the declaration, the ministry would also launch a sustained campaign to create awareness about female foeticide, domestic violence and malnutrition in women and children.

The campaign against female foeticide would also include TV spots, advertisements and school lessons propagating gender equality, the official said.

In the area of domestic violence, the focus would be on providing enough funds to states and ensuring that all states appoint the requisite protection officers.

"We are also planning to provide funds for implementation of the Domestic Violence Act as part of the budget," she said.

Apart from this, the government would award anganwadi workers, women who have shown courage and talented children.