New Delhi (AsiaNews) - On the day dedicated to the birth of the Virgin Mary, the Church in India today celebrates the Day of the Girl Child, to remember the thousands of infants and girls who suffer every day in the country because of continued discrimination and violence. In a statement, the Indian Bishops' Conference states that "all forms of discrimination and violation of the rights of the girl child need to be eliminated, within and outside the family."

The traditional discrimination against women has made India one of the countries in the world with the lowest population growth rate of the female gender.

A 2006 report by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) showed that in India 71 thousand babies are born every day and only 31 thousand are female, a ratio of 882 females per 1,000 males. According to the worldwide proportion of 954 to 1,000, at least 38 thousand girl children should be born every day. It is believed that this minimum number of at least 7 thousand girls a day, is the result of widespread selective abortions made by parents against female foetuses.

Although it is punishable by law, feticide is common in India because of the greater importance attached to males. This excess was found in 51 districts of the country. The discrimination continues even after birth. Only 67.7% of girls between 15 and 24 years receive education and about 40% of married women suffer violence within the family walls.

Sister Lilly Francis, secretary of the Commission for Women for the Indian Bishops' Conference, stressed that government, civil society and the Church must develop effective strategies to protect women and girls, in particular minors. The nun says that the Church has been fighting for years against the discrimination against women and seeks to create a different image of women through training, work placement, psychological and spiritual support for abortion and rape victims. Sister Lilly invites the government to take stringent legal measures against prenatal selection, infanticide, forced marriage, prostitution and child labor.