A nation that boasts of being the largest democratic nation in the world, India may very well be still in the dark ages when it comes to the treatment of women. In the caste system of India, each person is born into their place in the world, with no way out. If they are born rich, they will stay rich. If born poor, they will stay poor and pass it on to their children and their children’s children, as well. But even women born into wealthy families are considered inferior. Marriages are arranged and despite being outlawed in 1961, the use of dowries are still the norm. Forty percent of girls in India, across all castes are married off under 18 years of age, sometimes as young as 14 or 15.
Bearing daughters is viewed as shameful and if a woman gives birth to two girls in a row, she is often considered cursed. In many of the poorer parts of the country, some husbands force their wives and young daughters into prostitution. Kidnapping, rape and sex trafficking is high and in a shame-dominated culture, 90% of rape cases in India go unreported. Widows are untouchable, shunned and sometimes even blamed for the deaths of their husbands. Because of this widespread oppression, the suicide rate among women in India is 21 times higher than anywhere else in the world.
How can we change this? Gospel for Asia is! They are going door-to-door, from city to city, village to village, beginning relationships and offering help and hope. Starting churches, providing literacy classes, teaching women skills to earn a living so they can provide for their families and take care of themselves. GFA is talking to them about hygiene, healthcare and sickness prevention. And most importantly, offering words of hope and love from a God and Savior who has not forgotten them and values them as His very own daughters.
For more information about the Gospel for Asia and how you can get involved, please visit their website at http://www.gfa.org/veiloftears
And now for the giveaway!
Enter to win this Veil of Tears DVD Pack, including:
- Veil of Tears DVD, church edition
- Mini Movie Poster
- 4 Yellow and Black “Help Rescue a Woman” Awareness Bracelets
- 15 Veil of Tears Awareness Cards
- And BONUS BOOK: Revolution in World Missions
Enter at the link below or on the M2M Facebook page. Get more entries by liking the M2M Facebook page or leaving a sweet comment on any M2M story on the blog. Giveaway ends on Monday, August 11 at 12 a.m. PST and winner will be announced and notified the following week. Thank you for helping make a difference in these girls’ lives!
Its so hard for me to imagine woman being viewed and treated with so little worth and dignity. Thanks for the reminder to pray for them and for the people who are working to bring hope and life to them.
I agree.Women are treated inferior everywhere.It starts it don’t be a girl or boy statements.In rural India it’s worse, lack of literacy is the main cause of it.
What a great giveaway! I love what Gospel for Asia is doing! Thank you!