Monday, February 19, 2007

Cradles plan for unwanted girls

The Indian government is planning to set up a network of cradles around the country where parents can leave unwanted baby girls.

The minister for women and child development, Renuka Chowdhury, said the cradles would be "everywhere".

It is the latest initiative to try to wipe out the practice of female foeticide and female infanticide.

A girl child is often viewed as inferior to a boy. A bride's dowry can also cripple a family financially.

Ms Chowdhury said parents would be able to leave their babies secretly. The important thing was to save their lives.

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