Darakshan Hassan Bhat
The recent report circulated by the Ministry of Home Affairs is alarming. More than 300 minor girls are still untraced, and their whereabouts remain unknown. Being a woman, I can understand the pain of a minor girl, and at the same time, I must blame my counterparts, especially mothers. There is no doubt that our mothers bear a huge burden, but the responsibility for minor girls must be taken up by their mothers. Not only this, but women at home are both king and queen, handling everything. Minor or elder girls are primarily under the care of their mothers. Mothers have to play their role in making their daughters' futures bright and well-equipped with knowledge of the outside world.
For me, it is a social crime and a social problem, and only society can put an end to it. Not only this, but there are other related problems as well. A missing girl can become anything; she can become a drug peddler, commit social crimes, or be involved in various other social and moral issues in society. Therefore, the issue should have been resolved at its origin. It is a problem of the home, caused by a lack of parental guidance, supervision, and awareness of crimes and criminality in society. Here, I am not blaming fathers only, but mothers as well. They are very close to the girls and can play a vital role in shaping their future.
Let's not focus on the number of how many are missing. Every missing case is dangerous and has a specific reason that needs to be identified and addressed. You see, most of our women stay at home, and they lack the exposure that could help them stay updated with the outside world, which makes them unaware of the latest developments at home. Today's minor girls are growing up earlier due to technological revolutions and advancements, but mothers are not keeping pace. Given the deep attachment between mothers and minor girls at home, there are certain things that we must promote among housewives.
Before I put forward my suggestions to stop the disappearance of girls, I must say with my hand on my heart that there will be no crime if there is a strong bond between law enforcement agencies and concerned citizens. The case of missing minor girls is very dangerous because minor girls are not able to distinguish between good and bad, right or wrong. They are the future of our nation, the future builders, and must be protected by all means. Security will be ensured by security agencies, but what we can do to stop it immediately is a matter of great challenge.
In the modern era in Kashmir, where women’s rights and reservations have been enhanced much better than before, and women are leading in every sector, where women and girls are equal participants and contributors to the nation, and where women and men are working together, such incidents must not happen. We are a changed society, and with this change, we must take on additional tasks. The MHA report on missing girls is alarming for the mothers of minor girls.
Certainly, there are precautions we can take as women at home to help our young and minor girls become aware of certain dangers like kidnapping, trafficking, and other crimes. First, basic education regarding laws and crimes is a must. Understanding the risks and signs related to trafficking, abduction, and exploitation, including online dangers and social influences that minor girls face today, is essential. Minor girls are very emotional, and their emotions can be harmful if not properly guided.
Another problem we see with minor girls is that they don’t talk openly. Open communication with the mother is important. Mothers should build a trusting relationship with their daughters so that girls feel safe sharing their concerns and experiences. Girls face many more problems than boys, so there must be complete supervision, guidance, and love from parents. Active supervision by mothers while balancing trust and independence, especially as girls grow older, is crucial. Setting boundaries and knowing their daughters’ whereabouts can reduce risks.
In the end, it is a problem for the community if it spreads widely. There must be groups of mothers at the community level to participate not only in safety and security but also in career building, besides other awareness campaigns and support networks. Collective vigilance can help identify and prevent suspicious activities.
Economic empowerment among young girls is a must. Besides government jobs, there are other options like skill development, self-help groups, and various government schemes for girls and women in Kashmir. This will at least reduce vulnerability and exploitation. To fast-track the reduction of missing girls, collaboration with local authorities is essential. Normally, women have no contact with authorities, which is necessary for a proper understanding of the crime if any suspicious behavior or threats to their children are noticed.
A mother is a sea of love, but also a career builder and protector. A mother can play a vital role by serving as a strong role model, demonstrating self-confidence and independence, and inspiring her child. Therefore, mothers are important in providing actual education at home, alongside school. Mothers need basic courses on how to deal with, behave towards, and support minor girls. Counseling in this regard is also a must for them. Crimes often originate from the home due to a lack of parental supervision, guidance, and, above all, non-cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
(The author can be reached at drkshn666@gmail.com)
