A woman explains that she repeatedly strangled her female babies after they were born, eventually killing eight newborns and burying them.
Another lady recalls how she was not only pressured to find out the gender of her children before they were born, but was tortured into having abortions if they were female.
A man demonstrates how a wet, folded cloth can be draped over an infant’s face to smother an unwanted child.
The gritty scenes are from a documentary being screened in Surrey this week that explores why being born female is a deadly fate in parts of the world today.
The film, called “It’s a Girl,” will be shown at Kwantlen Polytechnic University on Wednesday (Jan. 30).
Hosted by GirlKIND, a non-profit B.C. group committed to combatting gender discrimination, the movie exposes what it calls the “war against girls worldwide.”
The film was shot on location in India and China – two countries among many where girls are aborted, killed and abandoned simply because they are female. It explores the stories of victims, families, global experts and grassroots activists, examining why gendercide happens and why little is done to save girls and women.
The United Nations estimates there are as many as 200 million missing females worldwide. Those who survive infancy are subject to neglect and often grow up to face extreme violence in their families and marriage.
An expert in the film estimates India and China eliminate more girls than the number of females born in America each year.
“We believe that the stories of It’s a Girl will capture hearts around the world and will compel us all to rise up and fuel a movement to end gender-based violence and killings, as well as resoundingly affirm the worth and dignity of girls and women in India, China and the rest of the world,” said Evan Grae Davis, the documentary’s director.
“It’s a Girl” will be shown at Kwantlen’s Surrey campus at 12666 72 Ave. on Jan. 30, 6-8 p.m.
To view the trailer, visit www.itsagirlmovie.com. The Surrey event will also include a performance by “Saint Soldier,” and guest speakers. Ticket information and further details are available at www.girlkind.org.
