A report
pertaining to the prevalence of sex selective abortions in rich and educated
Indian families was published in ‘The Lancet’, a medical journal, on 4th
June, 2011. According to the report which is based on review of data of three rounds
of the nationally representative surveys (National Family Health Survey – 1,
2&3) carried out during the years 1990 to 2005, it was found that the
conditional sex ratio for second-order births when the firstborn was a girl
child, fell from 906 per 1000 boys in 1990 to 836 in 2005. However, as stated
in the report, decline was much greater in the case of mothers with 10 or more
years of education than in mothers with no education,
and in wealthier households compared with poorer households but there was no
significant decline in the sex ratio for second-order births if the firstborn
was a boy child, or for firstborns.
The
Government is implementing a
comprehensive legislation; the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic
Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 and the Rules framed thereunder, for prohibition of sex selection before or
after conception, regulation of Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques and prevention
of their misuse for sex determination leading to female foeticide. Both
the Act as well as the Rules were amended in 2003 and the Rules were further
amended in 2011 and 2012 with a view to make the provisions more stringent to
act as deterrent.
The
Government does not maintain gender-wise data of foeticide. However, State/UT-
wise cases of foeticide reported during 2010, 2011 and 2012, as maintained by
the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), is annexed.
Government
has adopted a multi-pronged strategy devising schemes, programmes and awareness
generation/advocacy measures to build a positive environment for the girl child
through gender sensitive policies, provisions and legislation.
The
measures include the following:-
·
The Government has
intensified effective implementation of the said Act and amended various
provisions of the Rules relating to sealing, seizure and confiscation of
unregistered machines and punishment against unregistered clinics. Regulation
of use of portable ultrasound equipment only within the registered premises has
been notified. Restriction on medical practitioners to conduct ultrasonography at maximum of two ultrasound facilities
within a district has been placed. Registration fees have been enhanced. Rules
have been amended to provide for advance intimation in change of employees,
place, address or equipment.
·
The Minister of Health and
Family Welfare has requested all the State Governments to strengthen
implementation of the Act and to ensure timely steps to stop illegal sex
determination.
· The
Prime Minister has urged the Chief Ministers of all States to provide personal
leadership to reverse the declining trend in Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and address
the neglect of the girl child through focus on education and empowerment.
· Ministry
of Health & Family Welfare has intensified efforts to exhort the States and
UTs to pay utmost attention to serious implementation of the Act.
· The
Central Supervisory Board (CSB) under the PNDT Act has been reconstituted and
regular meetings are being held.
· The
Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has been requested to block
sex selection advertisements on websites.
· The
National Inspection and Monitoring Committee (NIMC) has
been reconstituted and inspections of ultrasound diagnostic facilities have
been intensified.
· The
Government is rendering financial support to the States and UTs for operationalization of PNDT Cells, capacity building,
orientation & sensitization workshops, Information, Education and
Communication campaigns and for strengthening structures for the implementation
of the Act under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).
·
States have been advised to
focus on Districts/Blocks/Villages with low Child Sex Ratio to ascertain the
causes, plan appropriate behaviour change communication campaigns and
effectively implement provisions of the PC & PNDT Act.
· Religious
leaders, women achievers etc. are also being involved in the campaign against
skewed child sex ratio and discrimination of the girl child.