Begun in 1911, it is a day of global celebration for the
economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.
In India,
being born female is nothing to celebrate, as it is considered a curse to the family. Can you imagine being cursed by society just because you are
a girl? But with the help
of people like you, we are able to reach women in hopeless situations with the
love of God.
Women
and girls in India
face tough obstacles:
-Lowest of the low –
Just being female in India
puts you at risk. Did you know that a husband will set his wife on fire if she
is not living up to his standards? Two thirds of deaths in India due to
fire are female, ages 15-34.
-Lack of employment opportunities – If a woman is employed outside the home for necessity’s
sake, she will usually work for only one-third the same wage as a man. In some
families the men will prostitute their wives as a way to earn an income.
-Spousal and child abuse – Abuse is commonplace, especially in rural areas where
alcoholism is prevalent; and these practices are accepted as normal behavior.
-Ill treatment of widows – Many blame the wife for the untimely death of her husband.
She becomes ‘bad luck’ to her family and is socially shunned. It is expected
that once widowed, a woman will never marry again and is not welcomed at any
social functions, including the weddings of her own children.
-Female infanticide –
Daughters are considered economic burdens because of their lack of ability to earn
an income and the high cost of weddings and dowries. When a woman gives birth
to a baby girl she often grieves over her misfortune, and she may neglect
feeding and caring for her daughter, until the baby dies.
But there is hope…AIM, and friends like you, are involved in
many activities that honor and support the women of India.
-Health care: We
have begun raising funds to provide easier access to basic health education,
preventative care and medicines to help stop the cycle of disease by taking
medical care to the villages.
-Widows: Help us provide
food, clothing and medicines for the widow who has been abandoned by her
family. Her self-esteem and dignity rises as she does not have to beg for her
daily needs.
-Abandoned Children: $30
per month provides food, clothing and education to girls and boys in our
Children’s Home so they can grow to be healthy, educated adults.
And so much more! Will YOU help us celebrate the women of the world this month by helping us
continue to expand our important programs for women in India?
Please pray for our work and, if possible, send a generous
gift of $20, $30, $50 or more today. Or if you prefer, give securely online by Clicking Here.
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Prayer Requests
Pray that the free world will not
remain unaware or lulled into complacency by comfort, but will rise up in
effective and compassionate solidarity with the persecuted members of the Body.
Pray for the political and religious leaders of India.
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