Child Help Foundation Run the Mumbai Marathon for the ‘Save & Educate the Girl Child’ Cause

Mumbai: Child Help Foundation (CHF), the pan-India NGO in child care, participated in the Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM), one of the world’s leading marathons that supports NGOs with the help of its philanthropy partner United Way Mumbai for the ‘Save & Educate the Girl Child’ cause. The 17th edition of the Tata Mumbai Marathon which saw the participation of more than 55,000 people is the largest marathon in Asia and also amongst the top 10 marathons in the world.

The marathon saw people from all walks of life participate including Bollywood celebrities, sports personalities, business tycoons and amateur athletes. CHF has been participating in the TMM for last 7 years and the theme for this year was ‘Beti Bachao – Beti Padhao’ which means ‘Save the Girl Child and Educate the Girl Child’. Girl child has been focus of attention in most of the government policy necessitated by the fact declining Child Gender ratio (0- 6) years. According to 2001 census data the child gender ratio was 927 girls per 1000 boys which dropped to 918 per 1000 boys in 2011. There is downward trend which is alarming. Sex selection, preference of boy child over girls and female foeticide has led to a sharp drop in the ratio of girls born in contrast to infant boys.

Commenting on this cause Mr. Jiji John, Executive Director, Child Help Foundation said “The objective of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign is not only to generate awareness about the issue of decreasing girl child ratio but also to empower through Education. Besides ensuring that the welfare services meant for girls are being delivered in an efficient way, Child Help Foundation gives special emphasis on educating girl child through our projects with the help of government and corporates. Nearly 500 participants from different fields participated to support our cause including CHF staff, volunteers from Royal College as well as employees from corporates like e-Clerx and Ambit Capital.”