Female foeticide, the practice of selectively aborting female fetuses, is a serious problem in India. Despite laws and programs aimed at stopping the practice, the number of girls born in the country has been declining for decades.
According to data from the Census of India, the sex ratio at birth (number of girls born for every 1,000 boys) has been steadily decreasing since the 1960s. In 1961, the ratio was 976 girls to 1,000 boys. By 2011, it had dropped to 918 girls to 1,000 boys. This means that there are now only 918 girls born for every 1,000 boys, a deficit of 58 girls. This decline in the sex ratio is not limited to a particular region or community in India. It is a nationwide problem, with the worst affected states being Haryana, Punjab, and Gujarat. In Haryana, the sex ratio at birth was just 834 girls to 1,000 boys in 2011. In Punjab, it was 846 girls to 1,000 boys.
The reasons for the practice of female foeticide are complex and multifaceted. One major factor is the preference for sons in Indian society. Sons are seen as a source of income and security in old age, while daughters are considered a financial burden due to the cost of their weddings. Additionally, the widespread use of ultrasound technology has made it easier for pregnant women and their families to determine the sex of a fetus, leading to an increase in the number of female fetuses being aborted.
The Indian government has implemented several measures to combat female foeticide, including the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, which bans the use of ultrasound
technology for sex determination. The government has also launched a number of awareness campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of female foeticide and the importance of girls.
Despite these efforts, the problem of female foeticide persists. One reason for this is that the implementation of the PCPNDT Act has been weak, with many clinics and hospitals continuing to
offer sex determination services illegally. Additionally, there is a lack of political will to enforce the law, as many politicians and government officials turn a blind eye to the problem.
To effectively combat female foeticide, a comprehensive and sustained effort is needed. This should include strong enforcement of laws and regulations, as well as education and awareness campaigns to change societal attitudes towards girls. Additionally, economic incentives, such as providing financial assistance for the education and empowerment of girls, may also be effective in reducing the preference for sons.
In conclusion, female foeticide is a serious problem in India that has been on the rise for the last 50 years. The preference for sons, coupled with the availability of ultrasound technology, has led to a decline in the number of girls born in the country. Despite laws and programs aimed at stopping the practice, the problem persists due to weak implementation and lack of political will. A comprehensive and sustained effort is needed to effectively combat female foeticide, including strong enforcement
of laws, education and awareness campaigns, and economic incentives for the education and empowerment of girls.