There is a need to acknowledge that despite the removal of barriers, women are still not at an equal starting point and that some ‘affirmative action’ is necessary. There is a need of a ‘Soft State’ committed to women’s equality and development. There is need of breaking the ‘glass ceiling’ an invisible but impassable barrier that prevents women from advancing.
Different states in India have implemented gender oriented scheme under the nomenclature Laadli Laxmi Scheme (LLS). The main focus of the scheme has been to create positive vibes for girl, thus reducing female foeticide and female infanticide. The word ‘Laadli’ literally means loved one. It was first used in 2005 in a campaign by ‘Population First’ to generate awareness about declining sex ratio and the value of the girl-child in India. In our country, there is adverse social attitude towards daughters. This is due to two counts. Firstly because of poverty, where having girls in the family is considered as financial liability. Secondly, this is more grave and monster problem and therefore more difficult to tackle, the mindset of the society where boys are welcomed while girls are unwanted. In fact the girls are even named ‘Nakoshi’ or unwanted. This negative attitude towards girls have left them vulnerable and at a disadvantage. Their survival, education, health care, development, security and well being are a matter of great concern.
LLS emphasizes on financial benefits. The financial incentives attempts to encourage families to retain the girl child. The scheme reiterates that by providing cash inflow to the girl’s family, the parents should feel that the very existence of the girl is an asset for the family. The Government of Goa introduced LLS from 2012 onwards. LLS gives financial assistance of Rs one lakh to the girl upon attaining 18 years or on marriage. The applicant, a Goan girl, having completed 18 years after 1st January 2012 can apply for the scheme and the amount is deposited in her account which she can withdraw along with the interest accrued at the time of her marriage. Those who are born before this date are also eligible, but will get the benefit only when they get married and provide the Civil Registration Certificate along with other documents required. Since the inception of this scheme, 22,099 girls have been provided assistance of Rs one lakh each as of June 2016. The main aim of this scheme is two-fold, to curb sex-selective abortion by enhancing the worth of the girl child and to instill confidence in the girls in Goa by inculcating in them a feeling that they are important component of the society. This scheme has no income indicator, no caste, class or religious bar, any girl who is 18-45 years and is resident of Goa is eligible to avail the benefit of this scheme.
To study the impact of LLS, a survey was conducted with a sample of 150 girls above 18 years who are residents of Goa. The sample was chosen from educational institutions across Goa. All had completed 18 years after 2012 and therefore all were eligible to apply for the benefit under this scheme. The analyses of the study reflected interesting findings. 75 % of the respondents believed that introduction of women-oriented schemes like LLS can reduce female foeticide. Though the scheme is very recent and technically it is too short a period to actually assess the impact of the scheme on female foeticide in the state, the respondents are future mothers, they are educated, aware and are against foeticide, and this can be a hopeful situation towards ensuring desirability of daughters.
88% of the respondents agreed that the LLS has reduced the financial burden of the parents. Marriages are an expensive affair, and some financial assistance from the state is welcomed by the parents. Though marriage is a matter of mutual consent between a boy and girl, in India it continues largely to be a matter of arrangement made by parents and family where a lot of money is required to be spent. There are rituals, expectations, demands, expenditure on jewelry, clothing, food, decoration……etc. This creates a financial burden on the parents, which often results in disapproval /disliking for birth of a girl child.
73% respondents agreed that they feel confident to face their life because of LLS. The very fact that there is some amount of money at their disposal (either in hand or in bank or in process) makes them feel psychologically motivated and confident. This obviously boosts the self-image and self- respect among girls which is a good sign and a positive impact of the scheme.
A large number of respondents (46%) stated that they would hand over the receipts from this scheme to their parents. It is interesting to note that another 19% respondents stated that they would like to utilise this money for their further studies.
To substantiate the findings, fifteen case studies were undertaken of beneficiaries who are now married and who have already availed the benefit of LLS. The technique used for these case studies was personal interview technique. Though similar responses, as mentioned above, were reflected from these case studies, the respondents grieved that the amount was not made available to them when it was most needed i.e. at the time of marriage. One respondent openly felt that the late release of the amount led her to be sandwiched between her in-laws and parents. The late disbursal also defeated the very purpose of the scheme, since the money was not received during the marriage; the parents were financially burdened and went through a lot of tension.
To sum up, LLS, if implemented well, can be of immense help to the girls in Goa as it can help them to build a positive self-confidence, which would enhance their self-respect and self-dignity. It would assist them to have greater control over their lives, as it would help them to become economically independent and self-reliant. The parents though not direct beneficiaries, would stand to gain as their financial burden gets reduced, and also a lot of tension about their daughter’s future. However it is essential that the benefit to the beneficiaries should be disbursed at the right time so that the same is utilised for the right purpose for which it is meant. The possibilities could also be explored whether the amount could be given for higher education rather than for marriage. We can hope that this scheme will change ‘nakoshi’ in ‘jhaishi’ or ‘ladli’ at the earliest.
(The author is Associate
Professor of Political Science, Government College of Arts, Science & Commerce,
Khandola, Marcela)
