Muskaan | Animation Short Film on Gender Equality and Female Foeticide

Summary

The 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.