Female foeticide 1) Introduction of what the topic is : define female foeticide Female foetuses are selectively aborted after pre-natal sex determination, thus avoiding the birth of girls.
As a result of selective abortion 35 to 40 million girls are missing in Indian population. The effect has been more pronounced in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. It was in these states that private foetal sex determination clinics were first established and the practice of selective abortion becomes popular from late 1970s. DataLatest census shows a decline In sex ratio from 927/1000 to 914/1000. 527/1000 (0-6) age group in fatehgarh sahib region of Punjab, 300/1000 in upper-class Hindu Brahmins in urban regions of Punjab. Consequences : 1) Less no of females as compared to males in population.
So, there will some unmarried young men. This can result in abduction of females. Recently, Hindustan times reported that young girls from Assam and WB are kidnapped and sold in states like Haryana, Punjab where sex ratio is very less relative to other states. ) According to Chinese estimates, by 2020 there will be 40 million unmarried young males. This huge imbalance can also lead to increase in sex crimes. For e.
g. sharp rise in sex crimes in Delhi have been attributed to the unequal sex ratio. Factors behind it : Initially, the general belief was lack of education and poor economic conditions in rural areas lead to female foeticide. To some extent this belief was true, but we can see the cases for female foeticide are increasing in urban cities also where lack of education and poor economic conditions can’t be the actual reasons.
In many urban areas, there still prevails a notion of men’s authority over women. The can be attributed to the fact that the average female to male ratio is 914/1000 for urban population. Still if we look at the higher education i. e. at graduation level or PG level the sex ratio is not 9/10. This means there are still some pre-conceived notions in the society, some partiality among the male and the female child.
Still, girl child is considered a debt on the father.The most probable driving force behind such low sex ratios in cities can be the easy access to private sex determination clinics that were established In 1970s. Such clinics are still active in society. Ultrasound scanning machines and medical malpractice in this area is flourishing. Prevention of female foeticide (Laws related to it) 1) Prohibition of sex selection act 1994 : restricts the use of sex determination techniques like ultrasound to specific purpose(causing health issue to the mother), by a qualified person registered for using these instruments. ) Prohibition of advertising the techniques for sex selection.
3) Prohibition of sale of ultrasound machines to persons not registered under this act. Conclusion: It’s high time to change the attitude and mindset of the society towards the girl child and considering it equal to boy child, only then we can expect for a balanced and prosperous future. This is a gradual process and it needs the support of the stricter implementation of the laws made by Indian govt to protect female foeticides.
