"50 million missing" project

sirensongs · Jan 28th, 2007, 13:34

There's a Flickr.com group started by Rita Banerji aimed at raising awareness of female feticide/infanticide in India. She invites everyone to upload photos of (only) Indian women and girls to represent the missing people. Here is her statement (below). At this point there are only 365 photos so there is room for plenty more (unfortunately). Some beautiful photos, and a great place to share yours with other concerned people.

http://flickr.com/groups/50_million_missing/

About 50 million women are currently missing from India's population. Through rampant feticide, infanticide, and the murder of young women by their husbands and inlaws for dowry, India has managed to invert its population ratio from 10:9, women to men, as is normal for any population, to 9:10. Further more India has even warped the gender ratio for 1/5 of the entire human population.

It is the intention of this website to have every one of the 50 million missing represented by a photograph. These can be of Indian women or girls, of any age, and community represented as portraits or shown as engaged in various activities -- which is life. It would help very much if their is a small personal commentary with the photo about the girl or woman so we can invert the process of dehumanizing Indian women. This is India's silent genocide -- and it is time for it to stop.

New-South-Welshman · Jan 28th, 2007, 13:46

Great idea!

A sad, but true fact. I hear it is very widespread around rural Haryana. I watched a documentary on infanticide years back, which had a segment on India. Will always stay with me. I'll be sure adding some of my photos onto the collection.

capt_mahajan · Jan 28th, 2007, 13:55

The figures, and the track record within India, are sometimes appalling. Just today there is yet more media coverage about girl children being sold in Andhra Pradesh.

In my opinion, though, the term 'genocide' should be used with care. Here are my reasons

-One, because genocide has more to do with religious, cultural, national or political groups, and not sex. In fact, using the term genocide gives an out to people who will debate the word (like I am) and thus divert the main issue (which I am not trying to do)

-Two, because I feel that for things to change Indian society has to work together inclusively. Words like genocide may shock, but often do not contribute to a consensus on how to deal with the problem.

I am cynical, overall, about Indian society's ability to change quickly with regard to female infanticide or dowry or selective abortion, or indeed the selling of baby girls. The reasons on the surface may be bastardised social customs , but they are often economic, at the core.
I believe that the dowry system is the main issue. This is the main reason why a girl is considered a liability from day one. If I had a magic wand and one wish on this subject, I would make the dowry system disappear.

sirensongs · Jan 28th, 2007, 13:58

Quote:

In my opinion, though, the term 'genocide' should be used with care. Here are my reasons

There's a very thoughtful and ongoing discussion about Rita's choice of this word and whether it is appropriate, on the group site. Why not contribute your thoughts? :-) and your photos!

Nick-H · Jan 28th, 2007, 14:00

Not just the isolated rural population.

I read in a newspaper last week that Bangalore has one of the lowest female:male ratios in india at 8-hundred and something per thousand.

This is a very terrible and current issue. I don't think photography is the right forum for it at all. But I'm not sure where to put it.

Where did have the last discussions on this?

capt_mahajan · Jan 28th, 2007, 14:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Not just the isolated rural population.

Oh yes. This is a canard, that all this happens in rural india and once economic conditions improve, this problem will disappear.

It is true that in large cities (lets say the top 10/20), this problem is less acute. Too much of urban india aborts girl fetuses, though, for my liking.

sirensongs · Jan 28th, 2007, 14:09

Quote:

Not just the isolated rural population.

According to all the evidence I've seen and read, prosperity actually adds to the problem. It's in the more wealthy cities and states where families can afford the sex-testing of fetuses and the resultant abortions. Punjab and Haryana are at the top of the list.

Quote:

I don't think photography is the right forum for it at all. But I'm not sure where to put it.

Well, the post is about a photography project regarding the issue so is of particular interest to photographers, or so I thought. Please put it where it will reach the most readers.

I think we can all agree about the horrificness of the issue, I just know that there are lots of great photos here on IM and wanted to encourage others to contribute.

brave_heart · Jan 28th, 2007, 15:07

sad n very unfortunate...

dreamer · Jan 28th, 2007, 16:32

This is a wonderful project. I hope it gets the publicity it deserves and can make a difference to this shameful situation.

I have posted my photographs today and I will forward it to everyone I know with suitable pictures to post there. I hope all members on here will do the same.

sirensongs · Jan 28th, 2007, 16:50

Quote:

I have posted my photographs today and I will forward it to everyone I know with suitable pictures to post there.

Yayy! Now where are Jorge Reverter and Lotus Blossom? I know they could contribute some good 'uns!

ananda2193 · Jan 30th, 2007, 00:39

I started a thread about 2 months ago on the same subject. It was deleted and moved to the Off Topic section!

Why wasn't this moved also????

Nick-H · Jan 30th, 2007, 00:51

Moved is not deleted. Moved is moved.

We moderate the site on a day-to-day basis. That's the way it goes.

crvlvr · Jan 30th, 2007, 01:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

I read in a newspaper last week that Bangalore has one of the lowest female:male ratios in india at 8-hundred and something per thousand.

That's probably beacause of the IT boom, which attracts qualified people from other parts of India. And engineers are mostly men.

Nick-H · Jan 30th, 2007, 01:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by crvlvr

... ... ... And engineers are mostly men.

And why would that be? we would have to wonder!

Sama · Jan 30th, 2007, 01:17

hey, sirensongs, I've pushed ya off the front page! You can only upload 5 pics a day to that group, so I'll upload all my pics...and I'll also write about the project in my blog....

as for the use of the word "genocide", here's what it says on the site:

"In 1948 the United Nations Convention on Genocide specified 3 conditions that amounted to the official recognition of 'genocide'.

1. Genocide comprised of killing or gravely harming through physical or mental violence the members of the target group.
2. If the group was subjected to to living conditions that caused its devastation.
3. If there was an attempt to prevent the life continuity of the group by controlling their birth and normal existence."

Jan 28th, 2007, 13:34	#1
sirensongs Eeny meeny mango Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: All India Permit (somewhere between Delhi & Dharamsala) Posts: 1,213	"50 million missing" project There's a Flickr.com group started by Rita Banerji aimed at raising awareness of female feticide/infanticide in India. She invites everyone to upload photos of (only) Indian women and girls to represent the missing people. Here is her statement (below). At this point there are only 365 photos so there is room for plenty more (unfortunately). Some beautiful photos, and a great place to share yours with other concerned people. http://flickr.com/groups/50_million_missing/ About 50 million women are currently missing from India's population. Through rampant feticide, infanticide, and the murder of young women by their husbands and inlaws for dowry, India has managed to invert its population ratio from 10:9, women to men, as is normal for any population, to 9:10. Further more India has even warped the gender ratio for 1/5 of the entire human population. It is the intention of this website to have every one of the 50 million missing represented by a photograph. These can be of Indian women or girls, of any age, and community represented as portraits or shown as engaged in various activities -- which is life. It would help very much if their is a small personal commentary with the photo about the girl or woman so we can invert the process of dehumanizing Indian women. This is India's silent genocide -- and it is time for it to stop. __________________ *"Why do people go to India to find themselves? India is where you go to lose* yourself."** Feringhee: The India Diaries

Jan 28th, 2007, 13:46	#2
New-South-Welshman Drunk Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney, NSW Posts: 1,397	Great idea! A sad, but true fact. I hear it is very widespread around rural Haryana. I watched a documentary on infanticide years back, which had a segment on India. Will always stay with me. I'll be sure adding some of my photos onto the collection. __________________ Mr. Burns "Non-violence never solved anything!"

Jan 28th, 2007, 14:00	#5
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,710	Not just the isolated rural population. I read in a newspaper last week that Bangalore has one of the lowest female:male ratios in india at 8-hundred and something per thousand. This is a very terrible and current issue. I don't think photography is the right forum for it at all. But I'm not sure where to put it. Where did have the last discussions on this? __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Jan 28th, 2007, 16:32	#9
dreamer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Southampton, U.K. Posts: 188	This is a wonderful project. I hope it gets the publicity it deserves and can make a difference to this shameful situation. I have posted my photographs today and I will forward it to everyone I know with suitable pictures to post there. I hope all members on here will do the same. __________________ Life is not about the moments that we take breath, rather the moments that take our breath away.

Jan 30th, 2007, 01:17	#15
Sama a pain in the asana Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: the India inside my heart Posts: 5,457	hey, sirensongs, I've pushed ya off the front page! You can only upload 5 pics a day to that group, so I'll upload all my pics...and I'll also write about the project in my blog.... as for the use of the word "genocide", here's what it says on the site: "In 1948 the United Nations Convention on Genocide specified 3 conditions that amounted to the official recognition of 'genocide'. 1. Genocide comprised of killing or gravely harming through physical or mental violence the members of the target group. 2. If the group was subjected to to living conditions that caused its devastation. 3. If there was an attempt to prevent the life continuity of the group by controlling their birth and normal existence." __________________ *My India, 2005-2008* BE THE REVOLUTION

Jan 28th, 2007, 13:55	#3
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,538	The figures, and the track record within India, are sometimes appalling. Just today there is yet more media coverage about girl children being sold in Andhra Pradesh. In my opinion, though, the term 'genocide' should be used with care. Here are my reasons -One, because genocide has more to do with religious, cultural, national or political groups, and not sex. In fact, using the term genocide gives an out to people who will debate the word (like I am) and thus divert the main issue (which I am not trying to do) -Two, because I feel that for things to change Indian society has to work together inclusively. Words like genocide may shock, but often do not contribute to a consensus on how to deal with the problem. I am cynical, overall, about Indian society's ability to change quickly with regard to female infanticide or dowry or selective abortion, or indeed the selling of baby girls. The reasons on the surface may be bastardised social customs , but they are often economic, at the core. I believe that the dowry system is the main issue. This is the main reason why a girl is considered a liability from day one. If I had a magic wand and one wish on this subject, I would make the dowry system disappear.

Jan 28th, 2007, 15:07	#8
brave_heart Account Closed Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: delhi Posts: 125	sad n very unfortunate...

Jan 30th, 2007, 00:39	#11
ananda2193 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: you essay Posts: 1,582	I started a thread about 2 months ago on the same subject. It was deleted and moved to the Off Topic section! Why wasn't this moved also????

Jan 30th, 2007, 00:51	#12
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,710	Moved is not deleted. Moved is moved. We moderate the site on a day-to-day basis. That's the way it goes.

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