Female foeticides are rampant in many parts of India despite laws like the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques that prohibit selective abortion and sex determination of the foetus. This is evident from India’s sex ratio that shows that for each 1000 boys India has only 882 girls. In fact, the scenario is even worse in the rich states where easy access to foetus sex-determination technology and consequent abortion of female foetuses put the sex ratio in states like Haryana to 770 girls for every 1000 boys born. According to conservative estimates, India has lost 10 million girls in the past 20 years.

Indian doctors lured with money carry out the illegal abortion in private clinics flouting all government norms. Under the existing law any doctor found guilty of conducting female foeticide is suspended, face a fine of Rs50,000 and a jail term of 3 months. In the last 14 years since the enforcement of the law only two doctors had been convicted that shows that the punishments under the existing law is not acting as a deterrent. The Indian government is now contemplating imposing toughest sentences on doctors aborting female foetus. The Minister of Health, Anbumani Ramadoss wants permanent cancellation of the registration of doctors conducting illegal sex determination tests. Further, they would face a fine of Rs700,000 and up to three years of imprisonment.

However, laws alone are not enough to curb female foeticide. Until and unless there is gender equality in the Indian society, female foeticide will continue. In most Indian families, daughters are considered as burden who would not carry forward the family line and will not contribute to the family income. Instead, they have to be married off only after paying a hefty dowry. Sons and daughters are often unequally treated in Indian homes that lead to rise in malnutrition and illiteracy among the girls. All sections of the Indian society should work together to save the girl child.

Source:Guardian
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