Muskaan | Animation Short Film on Gender Equality and Female Foeticide

Directorate of Women & Child Development HP

19 Mar 201720:25

Summary

TLDRThe story revolves around Muskaan, a young girl who overhears her grandmother discussing aborting a child if it's a girl. Confused and upset, Muskaan embarks on a mission to prove that girls are equal to boys. Through various challenges, she shows the strength and capabilities of women, from astronauts to brave girls standing up against injustice. In the end, Muskaan wins the bet, changing her family's perspective on gender equality and demonstrating that both boys and girls deserve the same rights and opportunities.

Takeaways

👧 Gender bias is evident in the family, with expectations of a boy child and a preference to abort if the baby is a girl.
😔 Muskaan becomes aware of the gender discrimination and is upset about the idea of aborting a female child.
👩‍👦‍👦 Muskaan's mother expresses her belief that both boys and girls have the right to live, regardless of societal preferences.
🎯 Muskaan takes it upon herself to challenge the bias and prove that girls are just as capable as boys through 'Mission Muskaan.'
🚀 Muskaan uses Kalpana Chawla as an example of a woman achieving greatness, emphasizing that women can excel in fields typically dominated by men.
👨‍👩‍👧 Muskaan's family, particularly her grandmother, initially resists the idea of gender equality and believes boys are superior.
💪 Muskaan bravely stands up against societal norms, including the idea that girls should be seen as a burden and their education is less important than boys'.
🎤 Muskaan is selected for a national-level singing competition, showcasing her talent and ability to bring pride to her family, regardless of gender.
❤️ Muskaan's father supports her stance against gender-based abortion, highlighting that both boys and girls are equally important.
👶 By the end, Muskaan's grandmother acknowledges that both boys and girls are equal, marking a shift in her understanding and acceptance.

Q & A

What is the main conflict in the script?
-The main conflict revolves around the family's desire for a boy child and the decision to abort the child if it turns out to be a girl.
Who is Muskaan and what role does she play in the story?
-Muskaan is a young girl who becomes aware of the potential abortion of her unborn sibling if it is a girl. She challenges her family's beliefs and fights to prove that girls are as valuable as boys.
Why does Muskaan's family prefer a boy over a girl?
-The family believes that boys are better than girls, and they think only a boy can take the family lineage forward. They also mention societal pressures like dowry as reasons for preferring a boy.
What is Muskaan's 'mission' in the script?
-Muskaan's mission, 'Mission Muskaan,' is to prove that girls are equal to boys and to prevent her family from aborting the unborn child if it is a girl.
How does Muskaan try to change her family's perspective about girls?
-Muskaan challenges her family with a bet, where she attempts to prove that girls can do everything boys can, using examples like female astronauts and truck drivers.
What is the significance of the conversation about Kalpana Chawla?
-Muskaan uses Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian woman in space, as an example to show that girls can achieve great things, even more than driving trucks, which her family believed only men could do.
What does Muskaan's grandmother represent in the script?
-Muskaan's grandmother represents traditional, patriarchal views that place higher value on boys and enforce gender roles. She is initially resistant to Muskaan's ideas but changes her perspective by the end.
How does Muskaan's father, Manoj, react to the issue of gender preference?
-At first, Manoj supports his mother's views, but over time, he begins to side with Muskaan and her mother, understanding that both boys and girls are equal.
What is the final outcome of the script regarding the unborn child?
-By the end of the script, the family decides not to go through with the abortion, regardless of the child's gender, and they accept that both boys and girls have equal value.
What message does the script aim to convey about gender equality?
-The script promotes the message that both boys and girls are equally important, and societal biases against girls are unjust. It advocates for the right of every child to live, regardless of gender.

Outlines

00:00

👶 Gender Expectations and Muskaan's Determination

The first paragraph introduces Muskaan, her family, and their expectations surrounding the birth of a boy. Muskaan overhears a conversation about abortion if the unborn child turns out to be a girl. Her curiosity leads her to question her mother, who explains that in their society, girls are often not valued as much as boys. Muskaan, determined to challenge this thinking, embarks on what she calls 'Mission Muskaan' to prove that girls are just as capable as boys, beginning her personal quest for equality.

05:03

🤝 The Bet: Proving Girls Are Equal to Boys

Muskaan begins her challenge to prove that girls are no less than boys. She engages her uncle in a bet to change the family's perception. The conversation highlights deep-seated biases as family members discuss the value of boys over girls. Muskaan sets out to prove that girls can do everything boys can, drawing comparisons to Kalpana Chawla, the astronaut. Despite some resistance, Muskaan continues with determination, showcasing that girls are capable of great things and initiating a series of challenges to win the bet.

10:10

💪 A Brave Girl Stands Up Against Eve-Teasing

In this section, Muskaan's cousin faces harassment, but she bravely takes action by reporting the culprits to the police. However, instead of being praised for her courage, her family punishes her by halting her education, citing dowry as a future financial burden. Muskaan steps in, arguing that dowry is outdated and unjust, and emphasizes that education is a girl's right. The conversation escalates into a broader discussion about gender equality and the roles women and men play in society, highlighting Muskaan’s growing influence and her family’s internal struggle.

15:15

🎤 Muskaan Wins and Shifts Perspectives

The final paragraph culminates with Muskaan's success on two fronts. First, her talent is recognized when she is selected for a national singing competition, bringing pride to her family. Second, Muskaan’s persistence and moral arguments lead her family, especially her grandmother, to realize that girls and boys are indeed equal. Muskaan’s father and grandmother acknowledge that the gender of the unborn child does not matter, and they reject the idea of abortion based on gender. Muskaan ultimately wins the bet and changes her family’s views, marking a victory for gender equality.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Sex Determination

Sex determination refers to the medical practice of determining the sex of a fetus before birth. In the script, it is a key issue as the family debates whether to abort the child if it is a girl. This concept highlights societal bias against female children and the moral and ethical questions around gender-based abortions.

💡Abort

Abort means to terminate a pregnancy. In the script, the grandmother suggests aborting the fetus if it turns out to be a girl, reflecting deep-seated gender discrimination. The concept is pivotal to the moral conflict of the story, as Muskaan and her mother oppose the idea of abortion based on the child’s sex.

💡Gender Bias

Gender bias is the unfair preference for one gender over another. The script centers around the bias in favor of boys over girls, as demonstrated by the family's desire for a male child and the willingness to abort if the child is female. This bias is deeply rooted in cultural norms and drives much of the conflict in the narrative.

💡Bet

The bet between Muskaan and her family serves as a way for Muskaan to prove that girls are as capable as boys. This challenge sets the stage for Muskaan’s mission to change her family's views on gender equality, showcasing the conflict between traditional beliefs and progressive ideals.

💡Dowry

Dowry refers to the money or property brought by a bride’s family to her husband’s family upon marriage. In the script, dowry is seen as a burden on the girl's family, and it is used as a reason to stop the education of a female character. This concept highlights the financial and societal pressures that contribute to the devaluation of girls in certain cultures.

💡Education

Education, particularly for girls, is a central theme in the script. Muskaan and other female characters face opposition in pursuing their education, as their families prioritize marriage and dowry over their intellectual development. The script champions education as a means of empowerment and gender equality.

💡Kalpana Chawla

Kalpana Chawla is used as an example of a successful woman who defied gender expectations. She was an astronaut and a symbol of female empowerment, representing the heights women can achieve. Muskaan cites her as evidence that women are capable of great achievements, countering the family’s bias against girls.

💡Lineage

Lineage refers to the family line or heritage passed down through generations. In the script, the grandmother expresses concern about who will continue the family name if the child is a girl. This belief reflects the patriarchal value placed on sons as carriers of the family legacy, while daughters are seen as less important in this regard.

💡Equality

Equality, particularly gender equality, is the central message of the script. Muskaan fights to show that boys and girls are equal in worth and capability. The script challenges traditional views that place men above women, promoting the idea that both genders should have the same rights and opportunities.

💡Patriarchy

Patriarchy is the system in which men hold power and women are largely excluded from it. In the script, the family's preference for a male child and their control over women's education and reproductive rights reflect a patriarchal mindset. Muskaan’s actions challenge these norms, advocating for a more egalitarian approach to gender roles.

Highlights

Muskaan's mother is pregnant, and the family expects a boy, showing societal pressure.

Grandmother suggests aborting the child if it is a girl, highlighting gender discrimination.

Muskaan learns about the potential abortion and questions the gender bias in the family.

Muskaan's mother explains that society doesn't value girls as much as boys, but she believes both have the right to live.

Muskaan initiates 'Mission Muskaan' to prove that girls are equal to boys.

Muskaan confronts her grandmother about her love and the decision to abort if the baby is a girl.

Muskaan makes a bet with her grandmother to prove girls are not inferior to boys.

Muskaan cites Kalpana Chawla, the astronaut, to show women can achieve great things.

The family is worried when Ranjana, Muskaan's sister, doesn’t return home, reflecting societal concerns for girls' safety.

Muskaan defends her sister's bravery in confronting eve-teasers, demonstrating girls' strength.

Muskaan's uncle argues against dowry and supports girls' education, opposing traditional gender norms.

Muskaan’s mother speaks up, stating that she and her husband both contribute to the family, rejecting gender comparison.

The grandmother insists that boys carry forward the family name, reflecting patriarchal values.

Muskaan wins the bet when her grandmother finally understands that boys and girls are equal.

Muskaan’s father and grandmother both recognize the harmful nature of gender-based abortion and change their perspective.