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FM AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5584
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RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 7419
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RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7674
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 8155
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000394 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KWMN KDEM IN
SUBJECT: WOMEN IN INDIA: REPORTING BLITZ HONORING INTERNATIONAL 
WOMEN'S DAY 
 
¶1. (U) Summary.  With unprecedented economic growth and rising 
prominence on the international stage, India hands have dubbed this 
the "Golden Age" for the world's largest democracy.  Indian women 
have also made significantly strides, as saris and salwar's climb 
the corporate ladder and break the glass ceiling.  Unfortunately, 
the rapid economic and social changes have not been uniformly gold 
for "the girl child" in India.  The country still grapples with 
deeply ingrained social prejudices against women, evident in 
continued instances of domestic violence, rape, dowry killings, and 
sex selective abortions.  Both the Indian government and the 
country's vibrant civil society have launched awareness campaigns to 
change these mindsets.  In honor of these efforts and International 
Women's Day, Mission India has launched our own reporting campaign 
this month that includes over a dozen cables on self-help groups, 
micro-finance, prominent female politicians, prostitution, female 
feticide, the current government's record on women's issues, and a 
host of related topics.  End Summary. 
 
Incredible India for many . . . but not all 
----------- 
 
¶2. (U) The past decade and India's rapid economic growth have 
brought far reaching opportunities for thousands of Indian women who 
have made notable progress advancing in a social order long 
dominated by men.  The spread of cable television, cellphones, and 
roads has created greater awareness by Indian men and women, 
especially in rural India, of their fundamental freedoms in a 
democracy.  Activists have characterized the profound social change 
as a gender revolution on the subcontinent.  Indian women have made 
notable inroads in many sectors; for example Forbes' 2008 list of 
the world's 100 most powerful women includes three Indians who work 
in fields from politics to business.  The chief minister of India's 
largest state, Uttar Pradesh, is a woman.  However, in India, as in 
many South Asian countries, dynastic traditions, both political and 
financial, have provided a head start for many of these success 
stories.  The panchayati raj system (village-level community 
assemblies in rural India) has empowered women by reserving 33 
percent of leadership positions for women, giving them 
decision-making authority at the local level. 
 
Struggling Stats for the Girl Child 
------------- 
 
¶3. (U) India prides itself on maintaining its traditional society, 
which translates into overwhelming pressure for India's working 
women to conform both to traditional norms at home and in the 
workplace.  With the rapid social transition, Indian men also face 
intense changes to their social order, sometimes resulting in 
violent reactions.  The Home Ministry's National Crime Records 
Bureau reports that violence against women is India's fastest 
growing crime category and that every 34 minutes a woman is raped in 
India.  Indian media reported that some recent surveys show over 
one-third of married women in India face spousal abuse and 55 
percent of women surveyed believe spousal abuse is acceptable. 
While some may quibble with the rigor and methodology of these 
surveys, the fact remains that spousal abuse of women remains high. 
Additionally, a deeply-rooted preference for boys has resulted in a 
serious female feticide problem throughout the country.  The 2001 
census revealed an average sex ratio of 927 girls for every 1,000 
boys, with even more severe imbalances in Punjab and Rajasthan. 
Activists report shocking estimates for the number of female fetuses 
aborted over the past two decades.  These staggering statistics have 
prompted the GOI and civil society to launch several awareness 
campaigns targeting both men and women. 
 
Mission India's Blitz 
----------- 
 
¶4. (U) In recognition of efforts to raise awareness of India's 
successes and challenges on women's issues, Mission India has joined 
forces across sections and consulates on a reporting blitz honoring 
Indian women and highlighting GOI and societal shortcomings.  In 
honor of International Women's Day on March 8, throughout the month 
we will report on India's colorful female politicians, the GOI's 
report card on women's issues, female feticide, prostitution, 
India's glass ceiling, self-help groups, microfinance, USAID's 
efforts to empower women and improve their health and lives, and 
other issues.  We hope readers will look for the "Women in India" 
 
NEW DELHI 00000394  002 OF 002 
 
 
title, with the caveat that our efforts offer only a small glimpse 
of the triumphs and struggles of over half a billion women. 
 
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