Raise Your Hand

25th November is celebrated as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. At first thought, one can think of only two topics that comprise Violence against Women: domestic violence and rape - and (unfortunately) many times, they happen together. But when you think deeper about it, and realise how prevalent this issue is in our country, across classes, you understand that SEX-SELECTIVE ABORTION IS VIOLENCE TOO!

It is the first (and the last) experience of violence for many unborn girl children. Their sex is illegally detected and they breathe their last even before their first cry. And it's not just an act of brutal violence against the child, but the mother as well, as her body goes through the unnatural process of abortion, which, in many instances, is absolutely against her will, and wreaks havoc on her physical and mental health.

And this heinous and diabolical practice of SEX-SELECTIVE ABORTION is what ADF India's Vanishing Girls campaign advocates and fights against.

Here's what Vanishing Girls is asking you to do through the 16 days between 25th Nov & 10th December to raise awareness about SEX-SELECTIVE ABORTION as violence against women.

We want you to get on your social media network, on IG, reels, FB, WhatsApp statuses, and #RAISEYOURHAND.
Raising one's hand is not just a metaphor for violence, but a way of voicing your opinion.

SO FOLLOW THESE STEPS
1. Draw an orange female icon symbol on your hand (Orange is UN's colour of choice for the observance) or us this Instagram filter
2. Get creative with what reel you choose to show that symbol: take on any trend that's floats your boat (we're sending some references)
3. Post it on IG, FB using #RaiseYourHand
4. Tag @Save_Our_VanishingGirls, and we'll repost your content

Isn't She Precious!

    Every day in India, 7000 unborn girls are selectively aborted in the womb, just because they are girls. The discrimination against the girl child at birth continues in life and is based on the false premise that girls are a liability. It is important to counter this narrative and celebrate the inherent worth of girls. 

    January 24 has been commemorated as National Girl Child Day in India since 2008 to raise awareness on the need to protect and promote the girl child.

    On January 24, 2021, a 40-day collaborative campaign is being launched by several likeminded organisations, to reinforce the message that Daughters Deserve LIFE, where LIFE stands for Love, Inheritance, Freedom and Equality.

    Following the online launch event, various partnering organizations will lead workshops, rallies, awareness programs and webinars culminating on the International Women’s Day on March 8, 2021. 

    Her Canvas 2021

    Her Canvas 2021 is a nationwide art competition inviting school students to paint, sketch or draw on the theme Isn’t She Precious!

    We want you to use art to promote the message that Daughters Deserve LIFE, where LIFE stands for Love, Inheritance, Freedom and Equality.

    Every day in India, 7000 unborn girls are selectively aborted in the womb, just because they are girls. The discrimination against the girl child at birth continues in life and is based on the false premise that girls are a liability.

    This art contest is part of a 40-day collaborative Vanishing Girls Campaign that counters this false narrative and celebrates the inherent worth of the girl child.

    Prizes

    The top 5 entries will each receive special vouchers for ₹3,000/- and the first 100 entrants will all receive a certificate of participation.

    Guidelines

    1. All school students under the age of 18 can participate 
    2. The painting, sketch or drawing must capture the theme “Isn’t She Precious” to emphasize the inherent worth of every girl child
    3. Only original work will be accepted
    4. Submission
      • Scan or take a clear photograph of your artwork 
      • Submit before 6 PM (IST) on National Girl Child Day, 24 January 2021
    5. Winners will be announced at 6 PM on 31 January 2021
    Contest has ended. Find the winning entries here

    Terms & Conditions

    1. Contestants represent and warrant that the art is original, created by the entrant and they own the rights to their work
    2. By submitting their art to ADF India for this Contest, all entrants agree to assign the copyright of the art submitted to ADF India, which includes the right to use the art in any manner and media, including without limitation, the right to publish, adapt, distribute, copy, display or translate in printed or electronic media, even if they are not the winning entries.
    3. By entering the Contest, the Contestant fully and unconditionally agrees to be bound by these rules and the decisions of the organizer of the Campaign, which will be final and binding in all matters relating to the Contest.

    For any queries, please email askme@vanishingirls.in

    Celebrating Girls for LIFE

    A joint national campaign to protect and empower girls

    The Vanishing Girls campaign of ADF India has been actively working since 2016, in partnership with several likeminded civil society groups, to save the lives of unborn girls. Every day in India, 7000 unborn girls are aborted only because they are girls, whereas sex-determination is a punishable offence under the PCPNDT (Prohibition of Sex-selection) Act. 

    There are several societal evils that work against the girl child and endanger her life, contributing to the anomaly of boy-preference in Indian society. It is critical therefore for civil-society groups addressing these different challenges to come together to craft a coordinated response.  

    Hence, this year, in the lead up to the International Day of the Girl, we helped bring together several groups that work across India to protect and empower the girl child for a month-long campaign: Celebrating Girls for LIFE. LIFE is an acronym that stands for Love, Inheritance, Freedom & Equality. 

    The campaign was launched on September 7, 2020, and culminated with a special online event on October 10, on the eve of the International Day of the Girl 2020. 

    The multi-pronged campaign for the girl child saw the different partnering organizations lead workshops, awareness programs and webinars under different focus areas:

    Another important highlight of the campaign was a Short Film Contest. Through this contest, participants were encouraged from across the country to send their original short film entries that convey the theme of the campaign. The contest drew beautiful entries with powerful films that showcased challenges faced by women and girls at birth and life—at home and in society, their strengths, achievements, and contributions. The films also focused on exposing false narratives and prevalent social evils against girls.

    The panel of judges for the Short Film contest comprised of nationally renowned filmmakers:

    The winning entries from the contest were felicitated and screened during the online event on October 10, as the leading filmmakers congratulated the winners of the Short-Film Contest. 

    Speaking at the event, Mrs. Tehmina Arora, Director, ADF India, said: "The power of storytelling is a tool to change the world. In our society, women can change the world. As we celebrate the International Day for the Girl Child, let us pledge to tell a story of hope and power to our girls." 


    The winning entries from the Short Film contest can be viewed here.

    Signature Campaign To Demand The Immediate Reinstatement Of PCPNDT Rules

    In response to the the sudden and inexplicable suspension of Rule 8, Rule 9(8) and Rule 18A (6) of the PCPNDT (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Rules, 1996 on April 4, 2020, ADF India's Vanishing Girls Campaign launched an oline petition seeking the reinstatement of the suspended rules. Close to 1200 petitioners signed the campaign to save vanishing girls. ADF India submitted the petition on May 7, 2020 to the Hon'ble Union Minister, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. We are currently awaiting an appointment with the Minister to share our concerns in greater detail.

    Read The Petition