Jind, Haryana:
A
Mahapanchayat or meeting of village councils on female foeticide and related issues, is being held today in Jind district of Haryana. The district is notorious for its skewed sex ratio where males far outnumber females.
The village bodies are meeting this morning, in what they say is an attempt to empower women. Over a 100 women will attend the session aimed at controlling female foeticide. Other issues pertaining to women will also be discussed
Several khaps or caste councils from Haryana and neighbouring Uttar Pradesh and Delhi will take part in this, Bibipur village Sarpanch said.
Earlier this week, the Khap in Baghpat; also the home constituency of Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh ruled that women must cover their heads when they step out of their homes. They also ordered that women younger than 40 must not leave their homes at all after sunset.
But with this big session today, where women are equal participants, not all 'Khap Panchayats are regressive' is the message Haryana is hoping to send out.