Team Herald
MARGAO: The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman has issued a powerful call to action, urging the community to adopt a new mindset toward the girl child. In its pastoral bulletin Renovacao, the Church highlighted the need for societal change in how girls and women are treated. The editorial, penned by Fr Aleixo Menezes, underscores the challenges faced by girls and outlines a way forward through the concept of ‘synodality’, which means ‘walking together
in unity’.
Timed to coincide with the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Day for the Girl Child, the editorial draws a parallel between the biblical story of Joachim and Anna and the struggles of girls today.
He notes how Anna’s vow to dedicate her child to God, regardless of gender, was a radical act in a male-dominated society.
The editorial critiques India’s current reality for girls, despite various laws and initiatives. It describes the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme as outdated, the POCSO Act as a “toothless tiger,” and the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act of 2003 as ineffective in curbing the declining female sex ratio.
Fr Menezes brings attention to alarming statistics that reveal the persistent challenges. The sex ratio in India, while showing a slight improvement, still indicates a preference for male children. Even within the Catholic community, he pointed out that the desire for at least one male child remains prevalent. The editorial candidly acknowledges that some mothers still consider themselves blessed when giving birth to a son, despite evidence showing that girls often outperform boys in academics and are more likely to care for aging parents.
The bulletin calls for a shift in mentality in three key areas: equality, treatment, and listening. Fr Menezes stresses that from birth, girls should be treated as equal partners in the family, with equal access to nourishment, education, and socialisation. He acknowledges that girls may have different strengths than boys but are no less valuable.
The editorial also addresses the rising crimes against women. Citing National Crime Records Bureau data, it notes that 4,45,256 cases of crimes against women were reported in 2022, marking a 4% increase from 2021. Fr Menezes rejects the idea that women are responsible for the harassment they face, calling for a shift from an “animal mentality” to a “rational mentality.”
The bulletin’s message extends beyond the Catholic community, addressing broader societal issues. It critiques the dowry practice, known as “dot/dennem” in Goa, highlighting the gap between education and entrenched social norms that perpetuate gender inequality.
Fr Menezes concludes with a call for change: “If the government, religious bodies, and social activists cannot empower the girl child, then the girl children themselves should take up the Synodal Path. This involves listening to one another, discerning together, and walking in communion and collaboration to achieve the mission of respect.”