Madurai (Tamil Nadu): Anni Vijaya, Deputy Inspector General of Police - Madurai, gave an exclusive interview to the ETV Bharat Tamil Nadu website channel on the issue of female infanticide and female child protection.
Vijaya said, "I am deeply saddened as an Indian police officer, particularly as the Madurai Range police officer, investigating the possibility of female infanticide even in these modern days. I undertook studies on ways to prevent female infanticide. I was interested in this, though it was not a direct research title.
The absence of adequate awareness of women is being attributed as a cause of this evil. But I totally disagree with that. There have been many ways to empower women since ancient times. So I assume they have the awareness they need.
But my point is that a woman has no decision-making authority all the time. The reason is that it is a male chauvinistic social structure. I don't want to set aside this cultural structure that has been around for time immemorial. Yet we have to come forward to fully understand a woman's emotions and respect the decisions women make. The viewing of female kids as sheer objects has to change. The non-availability of enough women in all communities has become a major challenge in today's environment.
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Women are achieving tremendously in every walk of life but their rightful social security is not guaranteed. Even with the recommendations of the Vishakha Committee, women are still not fully protected."
She added, “Tamil Nadu Police is making several efforts to protect the child from infanticide and the protection of the girl child as such. Contact number 1091 has been introduced for women and 1098 for child protection. In addition, a new app 'Save Madurai' is to be introduced shortly in Madurai."
