CHANDIGARH: In the Indian hinterland, which earned a bad name for female foeticide, a Haryana village is showing the way. At Lado Sawabhiman Utsav, a new initiative to propagate women’s rights held at Bibipur, men from five villages tied orange turbans on 122 girls.
Boys are traditionally honoured with this rite of passage in rural areas. The headgear now signifies that girls, too, will be part of decision-making concerning both the family and the community.
Former sarpanch Sunil Jaglan said, “Many women, who attended the ceremony, said they’ll go back home and insist their brothers and husbands do the same.”
At the ceremony, the girls were educated on sexual harassment, rape, kidnapping and domestic abuse and their prevention. From Sunday onwards, all houses in Jind will bear the nameplates of their women.
The villagers of Bibipur have also written to various schools and colleges to hold an exam for girls around the theme ‘Jagruk Lado Surakshit Lado’ (Stay alert, stay safe). Successful candidates will get certificates and cash prizes. Jaglan said around 100 knowledge campaigns, seminars and debates have been planned. The first women khap panchayat was held in Bibipur in 2012.