Anti-Female Foeticide

The Census 2001 indicates that while there is an increase in the overall sex ratio of the country (927 females per 1000 males in 1991 to 933 females per 1000 males in 2001), the child sex ratio (in the 0-6 age group) has shown a decline in almost all the States as compared to the 1991Census.

There are 16 districts in the country having less than 800 girls per 1000 boys. Out of these 10 are in Punjab, 5 in Haryana and 1 in Gujarat. This means for every 1000 boys 200 girls are missing in these districts. Further, there were 70 districts in the country in 2001 where the decline in child sex ratio was more than 50 points when compared with the 1991 Census.

Some recent studies conducted to examine the reasons for decline in child sex ratio has also revealed that apart from a strong preference for sons and a low valuation of girls, increasing dowry demands, difficulties involved in bringing up a girl child and an easy availability of ultrasound and abortion services by various private clinics are the main reasons for the increase in
female foeticide in the country.

The cultural and economic factors that lead to female infanticide and selective abortion are part of the vicious cycle of discrimination against women and their devaluation.

To check female foeticide, the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994 was enacted. The Act came into force in 1996.

BSS is concerned about the declining sex ratio and is committed to fight for the ‘Girl’s Right to Birth’. Series of programmes, campaigns and interactive sessions are organised by BSS not only for women but also for men.