Half a million girls a year are being aborted in India, equal to the total number of girls born in the UK. The scale of sex selection in Asia is extraordinary, yet it has not attracted the attention it deserves in the west. This is the age of “missing women” – an estimated 30 to 70 million of them. The number of girls born has dropped significantly because of sex selective abortions, and the sex imbalance has been aggravated by higher mortality rates as boys receive better care.

The very vagueness of the figures indicates how poorly understood this massive phenomenon is – quite apart from the still limited analysis of the impact the resulting sex imbalance will have on the development of countries such as India and China. In May, there was widespread concern in India as the results of the 2011 census revealed a sharp deterioration of the sex ratio. Many attributed the growing gap to a powerful lobby of doctors and commercial interests who sell ultrasound machines; both make profits from the illegal, multimillion dollar sex selection procedures.

An ultrasound scan costs the equivalent of £10, a small amount relative to the cost of a dowry expected with a girl. Even for less well-off families, a sex-selective abortion may seem cost effective, according to a study by Sonia Bhalotra, from the Centre for Market and Public Organisation (CMPO) at Bristol University, published in the summer issue of its Research in Public Policy bulletin.

But what is particularly interesting about her analysis is that the practice is more strongly established in the better off areas of India than the poorer rural areas. This challenges assumptions that the practice is driven by traditional customs. In fact, it is the wealthy and better educated who are most likely to choose sons, perhaps because they want to keep their families small. One of the richest states in India is Punjab, where, in the 2001 census, there were 125 boys per 100 girls in the nought to six age group. The predominant pattern is to use sex selection not for the first child but for subsequent children; the ideal seems to be two sons and one daughter.

There is also evidence that high-caste Hindus are more likely to use the practice than Muslims. Bhalotra suggests that cultural practices – parents live with their sons until death and it is the son who lights the funeral pyre – may be among the factors driving sex selection.

The economic boom in India is accelerating the trend of sex-selective abortion. This factor is combining with technological developments in ultrasound that make scans more reliable earlier in pregnancy, and the machinery more mobile, increasing penetration across the country. The research talks of an “intersection of recent economic, demographic and technological change with deep rooted social preference”, which is costing the lives of millions of girls.

There are no easy steps to stop the practice. Sex-selective abortion has been illegal since 1994, but has little impact on the growing trend. Proposals to ban ultrasound machines are unlikely to gather substantial support because the devices also play a positive role in pre-natal care.

Another study from the CMPO looked at differential forms of care for girls and boys in India. Using the Indian Time Use Survey, they found that, on average, boys receive more parental time a day than girls – an extra 30 minutes , or 14%. The quality of childcare is also better for boys, who are more likely to be vaccinated and given vitamin supplements, and are typically breastfed for longer. These inputs were on average 10% higher for boys. The research concludes that such differential care probably accounts for nearly a third of the higher mortality rate for girls.

The research doesn’t offer detailed analysis of the consequences of this genderimbalance, other than to suggest that a large number of unmarried men is likely to lead to an increase in violence against women. It will be another 15 years before we begin to see the political and social impact of the missing women.

Posted byMadeleine Bunting (2011, Friday 22 July)  guardian.co.uk  Retrieved From; http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/jul/22/india-sex-selection-missing-women

Kingdom Foundation has previously trained 862 widows with sewing skills.  They were then placed in garment factories to making clothing, but once it was known they were widows they lost their jobs.  Some were able to stay in the factory for one year before it was discovered that they were widows. Other women were trained in other professions and hold office jobs in the city.

To meet the needs of the loss of jobs another project was started.  The women would gather at homes or outdoors to make incense.  While making the incense they would gather and pray for the first half of the day over the product they were making with the intent that it would impact the people that they were selling it. This incense was sold to Hindus who were using this for worship in their homes and temples.

The reports started to come to the widows from the people who used this incense that they were experiencing strange things.  They said that the gods and pictures of their gods were falling off the shelves and the walls.  People reported seeing white figures running around in the home (we call these white figures angels).  The people found with the presence of the white figures a manifestation of peace and miracles.  Headaches disappeared, cancer left, household member gained employment, and there was even a man who had hair grew back.

The community members began to realize these changes came to the home as a result of the women praying over the incense.  When the widows were approached the women would share the good news of the gospel and many got saved.  There was a church established in this place that is still strong till today.

Ravi has had several opportunities to host and speak in large events to share the gospel and minister the love of Jesus.  He has been able to see many come to faith in Jesus and receive healing from various sickness.  The Father loves to pour out his love and power on his people.  It is privilege and honor to partner with the heart of the Father in these types of events to reach to many hurt, broken, and lost people.  It is the heart and intent of Kingdom Foundations to yearly host large event where the gospel is preached and people are ministered to.

Our next event of this nature will be happening in November in an unreached area.  Please continue to pray for us and the nation of India, the harvest is ripe and we to see the fruit of the harvest.

TUMKUR/BANGALORE: If Bangalore has entered e-age, barely 100 km from the city stone-age practices still persist.

Prayer Points:

1. Funds – We would like to raise funds to be able to pay for pastors who wouldn’t be able to afford the event.

2. Volunteers – It is going to take a lot of man power to be able to carry out this event effectively.

3. Transformation – Join us in believing for this event to change lives, lets agree for the power of God to be manifested in this event.

4. Wisdom & Favor – Pray for all staff to be able manage all the details and do their work with excellence.

5. Unity  - We are believing for the churches of Bangalore to come together and participate in this event.

February 2011 Update 

Encounter God Missions School – September, 2011

Christmas with Kingdom Foundations

Thank Your from Ravi & Julie

October 9, 2010  Arya Update

October 6, 2010  Arya Update

October 4, 2010 Prayer for Arya

October 3, 2010 Prayer for Arya

Prayer request for Julie  had surgery today (appendectomy)

August 9, 2010 Welcome Arya Joseph Kandal

Once a woman becomes a widow she is labeled as untouchable, a cursed women, as it is believed she is the source of her husbands death.  It is perceived that if you associate with these widowed women you will also be cursed.

After the death of her husband this women is thrown out of the home and out of the village.  They sometimes will find huts or build their own in the outskirts of the village.  These are the places where the outcasts otherwise known as untouchable will gather.  The living conditions are harsh with no water or toilet.  Often women marry very young and don’t have the opportunity to receive an education.

When these women are forced to leave their home; they move into a survival lifestyle, taking what work they can to provide for them and their children. With these desperate situations many are forced into a life of prostitution and begging. As a result the children are often left in the home alone while their mothers work leaving the children no opportunity for education. Shockingly a woman in India can be widowed at the young age of 13 and left with little or no hope for being remarried.

There can be other opportunities for work for the widows working in fields or construction to receive daily wages.  Unfortunately they are taken advantage of and usually only given half of the wages that others would receive.

Reportedly there are 34 million widows in India. It is difficult to find information from the government on these issues, as these issues  are kept hidden and not addressed.

Previous Work & Testimony

Kingdom Foundation has previously trained 862 widows with sowing skills.  They were then placed in garment factories to making clothing, but once it was known they were widows they lost their jobs.  Some were able to stay in the factory for one year before it was discovered that they were widows. Other women were trained in other professions and hold office jobs in the city.

To meet the needs of the loss of jobs another project was started.  The women would gather at homes or outdoors to make incense.  While making the incense they would gather and pray for the first half of the day over the product they were making with the intent that it would impact the people that they were selling it. This incense was sold to Hindus who were using this for worship in their homes and temples.

The reports started to come to the widows from the people who used this incense that they were experiencing strange things.  They said that the gods and pictures of their gods were falling off the shelves and the walls.  People reported seeing white figures running around in the home (we call these white figures angels).  The people found with the presence of the white figures a manifestation of peace and miracles.  Headaches disappeared, cancer left, household member gained employment, and there was even a man who had hair grew back.

The community members began to realize these changes came to the home as a result of the women praying over the incense.  When the widows were approached the women would share the good news of the gospel and many got saved.  There was a church established in this place that is still strong till today.

Vision for Widows

We are starting a project to employ these women to sew pillow covers.  We want to be able to pay these women a very good wages so that they will also be able to have their needs as well as their children’s needs met.  This project would run similar to the way the incense project was run with the widow praying over the pillow cover that their would be a blessing released upon each person that brings the pillow covers into their homes. The prayer focus for them in praying will be that these pillows will be an  influence to come to homes with healing, deliverance, hope, love, joy,  & salvation.   This project will give them an opportunity to provided income along with a way to bless others.

Long term goals would be to give jobs to many widows, further training, education, and eventually even have a home for the women to be able to live in. Meeting these goals will give the women financial stability and freedom to provide education for their children.  It will build their self-confidence, value, and worth.