Hiten Tejwani lends support to campaign to bring down sex-selective abortions

HITEN TEJWANI,

The pandemic has also caused an increase in the number of gender violence cases against women. Another disturbing aspect happens to be the rise in sex-selective abortions. To create awareness about this issue, actor Hiten Tejwani has lent his support to the Save The Girl Child campaign, headlined by Dr Sunita Dube. It highlights the issue of the declining child sex ratio and the inequalities faced by girls in the country. Tejwani says, “This will be a perfect way to educate people who still have doubts and biases against a girl child.”

The father to an 11-year-old daughter, he feels happy to raise her in the modern world. “If a woman is educated, she’ll make a mark and find a place for herself. Women are equal to men and are holding power positions across sectors. Even in my field, there are so many female directors today, who are doing so well,” he says.

Tejwani asserts that there’s a need to educate the rural population on women empowerment and gender disparity. He feels it could go a long way in curbing cases relating to sex-selective abortions. “The best thing in our country is that we aren’t allowed to identify the sex of the child before they are born. That’s a good way to prevent abortion. But sex-selective abortions majorly happen in rural areas. And if one’s educated, one will understand that a child is a child, irrespective of gender.”

The Tandav actor believes change has to begin from home: “It’s important to raise a child where they know that men and women are equal.”

In the last two years, many celebs have embraced parenthood while several are currently expecting. And that is something Yuvika Chaudhary calls a brave decision. The actor feels that given the ongoing pandemic, having a baby is a rather terrifying thought.

“It is scary to get pregnant. I’m surprised to see people get pregnant. I wonder how they managed to do so. It is terrifying to be pregnant and be in one place and not step out. Having a baby in this time of health crisis… I salute to those who have done it, like some of my own friends, including Kishwer M Rai who had a boy in August,” she says.

Chaudhary, who is married to reality TV star Prince Narula, further commends these new parents, and adds, “Kitna dedication and strong mind chahiye to deliver a baby in this situation when you are constantly scared about safety. Kudos to those who have had babies recently.”

The actor reveals that she and Narula, too, think about starting a family but they are going to take things slow for now. “If a baby is supposed to happen, it will happen. I can’t really say that we are planning. Abhi planning-planning mein logon ke do-teen saal nikal jaate hain,” she tells us, adding,

“Of course, family is there on the cards, but I can’t say right now when that would happen.”

Meanwhile, on the work front, Chaudhary and Narula have been busy throughout the pandemic and released a number of music videos, which they produced. “Lockdown mein bahut logo ke bachche hue hain, and we gave birth to our production house. That is our baby now. We were working on this baby,” she concludes.

Ifa woman is educated, she’ll make a mark and find a place for herself.

Actor