Changing traditional mindsets

The programme is supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and is held in association with Bhumika, a women's collective based in Hyderabad.

Executive Trustee of Population First, S V Sista addressed the media giving details of the competition, which is primarily held to acknowledge and promote the spirit of gender-sensitivity.

“Many journalists in both print and broadcast media are doing their bit to highlight issues like sex-determination, female infanticide and foeticide as well as dowry deaths which are shockingly rampant in urban educated centres like the big metros. So this is a way of acknowledging their contribution to society,” said Sista.  

“In spite of Indians venerating women in the form of goddesses, we still need to sensitise people to the fact that the sex ratio is horribly skewed because of illegal measures such as medical termination of female pregnancies and infanticide,” said Vani.

A jury comprising a panel of eminent personalities, who strongly support the movement to stop female foeticide, will judge the entries.

The awards will be given away on December 17 at Ravindra Bharati in
Hyderabad.