According to the archbishop, the initiative of cradles to protect little girls was necessary "because in our social context, strong gender discrimination persists."
"The Indian Church has been working on this front for decades: the sisters of Mother Teresa and other religious congregations accept unwanted babies, keeping a cradle outside the door of their institutions," the archbishop said.
He said the programme would go hand in hand with the efforts the Catholic Church has already undertaken.
"We make accessible orphanages, day care centers and hostels where infants can be taken care or and brought up with tender loving care," he said.
"While we appreciate this initiative of the government, we reiterate our policy against the grave evil of abortion. We make accessible orphanages, day care centres and hostels where infants can be taken care or and brought up with tender loving care," he said.
The Church "values and treasures each and every life, male and female, from conception to its natural end," he said, adding that Catholic personnel impart ethical and moral teachings against the "evil practice of infanticide" in health structures "where unscrupulous doctors are often at work."
Although as a functionally preventive measure, the cradle or 'Palna' scheme might indeed reduce the number of unwanted baby girls being killed after birth, social activists are wary about its effectiveness.
Some have even called the government proposal "absurd." According to them, it would send the wrong message and fail to arrest abortions.
"Most of the girls are killed before birth, not after birth. So, where is the option of abandoning girls if they are not born at all?" said Sabu George, who has researched female foeticide for two decades.
George said some girls abandoned under a similar scheme in Tamil Nadu in the 1990s died at poorly staffed and managed government hospitals.
In Tamil Nadu, the juvenile sex ratio has fallen sharply from 948 in 1991 to 931 in 2001.
Moreover, what happens to the abandoned baby afterwards is of concern, both in terms of her immediate nurture and future, sociologists have warned.
Would the government take full responsibility for her upbringing and education? If so, has it arranged for necessary infrastructure, safeguards, and caregivers to support the scheme?
Besides, plans need to be formulated to determine what to expect of prospective parents who wish to adopt the abandoned baby girl from the government agency that is part of the 'Palna' scheme.
Drawing up an individual's economic profile is easy, but clearly, in the case of adoption, economic potential alone is not enough, they have warned.
Also, post–adoption, health and social workers would be expected to monitor the child's progress, at least for a few years.
If organised charities were to be involved, it raises the question as to whether these are extended and possibly more expensive bureaucracies.
Society
India to launch 'cradle scheme' to prevent female infanticide
By: Jacob Chaterjee
Thursday, 1 March 2007, 14:21 (IST)
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Added: Thursday, 1 January 1970, 6:03 (IST)
I applaud Madam Renuka chawdhry for atleast showing concern for this issue.I have been following her takes on many issues concerning girl child and women rights and I have found her taking right and strong actions in her war against age old customs of Indian society. I wish to compliment on her works and thank her for doing what she is doing. I hope she is alos able to fight our red tape sysatem to implement her visions for Indian women and girl kids.
manisha, Pune Maharashtra
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