FEMALE FOETICIDEFEMALE FOETICIDECAMPAIGN AGAINST SEX CAMPAIGN AGAINST SEX

SELECTIVE ABORTIONSELECTIVE ABORTION

Dr. R.S. Dr. R.S. DahiyaDahiyaSenior ProfessorSenior Professor

Department of SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryHARYANA GYAN VIGYAN SAMITIHARYANA GYAN VIGYAN SAMITI

HORRIFYING FACTS HORRIFYING FACTS

30 Million 30 Million Women are Women are missingmissing in India in IndiaOne One RAPERAPE every every 5454 minutes minutesOne One molestationmolestation every every 2020 minutes minutes One One kidnapping/ abduction kidnapping/ abduction in every in every 45 45 minutesminutesWomen Women teasing actteasing act every every 55 minutes minutesOne One dowry deathdowry death in in 1hr 301hr 30 minutes minutesOne act of One act of cruelty incruelty in every every 3333 minutes minutes70% contribution in production , 1% ownership70% contribution in production , 1% ownership0-6 sex ratio in Haryana (2001)is 8200-6 sex ratio in Haryana (2001)is 820 Sex Ratio in Literates in Haryana--617Sex Ratio in Literates in Haryana--617

783783Sonipat (Haryana)Sonipat (Haryana)

775775Gurdaspur (Punjab)Gurdaspur (Punjab)

784784Ambala (Haryana)Ambala (Haryana)

783783Amritsar (Punjab)Amritsar (Punjab)779779Mansa (Punjab)Mansa (Punjab)779779Bhatinda (Punjab)Bhatinda (Punjab)

775775Kapurthala (Punjab)Kapurthala (Punjab)

770770Kurukshetra (Haryana)Kurukshetra (Haryana)770770Patiala (Punjab)Patiala (Punjab)754754Fathegarh Sahib (Punjab)Fathegarh Sahib (Punjab)

Child Sex Child Sex Ratio (2001)Ratio (2001)

DistrictDistrict

Child Sex Ratio – Bottom Ten Child Sex Ratio – Bottom Ten Districts in India Districts in India

MYTHS & REALITIES MYTHS & REALITIES Reduction in the number of women would Reduction in the number of women would

enhance their worthenhance their worthEconomic theory of Demand & Supply does not hold goodEconomic theory of Demand & Supply does not hold goodWomen cannot be equated with Onion or TomatoWomen cannot be equated with Onion or TomatoIn most South Asian Societies low sex ratio reflects their In most South Asian Societies low sex ratio reflects their lower statuslower status (Haryana as well) (Haryana as well)Rape, forced marriages, polyandry, social insecurity, sex Rape, forced marriages, polyandry, social insecurity, sex stereotyping, purchase of brides will increasestereotyping, purchase of brides will increase Women will be compelled to stay within their homesWomen will be compelled to stay within their homesPowerful will have a JANANKHANA others will resort to Powerful will have a JANANKHANA others will resort to menial means menial means To murder a women on refusal to have forcible sex will To murder a women on refusal to have forcible sex will become an accepted normbecome an accepted norm

Laws cannot curb sex determination testsLaws cannot curb sex determination tests1.1. True any progressive law in isolation cannot True any progressive law in isolation cannot

solve a social problem.solve a social problem.2.2. Legal action coupled with awareness campaign Legal action coupled with awareness campaign

and suitable policy interventions can be effectiveand suitable policy interventions can be effective3.3. Unlike other problems like dowry, sati & child Unlike other problems like dowry, sati & child

marriage, this issue has an additional player i.e. marriage, this issue has an additional player i.e. DOCTOR who is law abiding by and large but DOCTOR who is law abiding by and large but some are playing dirty gamesome are playing dirty game

MYTHS & REALITIES MYTHS & REALITIES

Banning SD would infringe upon women's Banning SD would infringe upon women's right to choose the sex of offspringright to choose the sex of offspring

Women from poor countries have never asked for a right to Women from poor countries have never asked for a right to decide the offspring's sex. Will not be given this right easily.decide the offspring's sex. Will not be given this right easily.Where she cannot take decision regarding herWhere she cannot take decision regarding her

a) Educationa) Educationb) Healthb) Healthc) Marriagec) Marriaged) Economic freedomd) Economic freedom

How about sex preference? Son Preferance at the cost of girl.How about sex preference? Son Preferance at the cost of girl.In a consumerist society demand for a choice could be created In a consumerist society demand for a choice could be created & nurtured. & nurtured.

MYTHS & REALITIES MYTHS & REALITIES

Development & Women empowerment is the best contraceptive.Development & Women empowerment is the best contraceptive.

Son Preference is a fact but it is not an important determinant of Son Preference is a fact but it is not an important determinant of India's rising population.India's rising population.

Women are not the Reproductive machines.Women are not the Reproductive machines.

SD test and SSA only eliminates the 'Undesirable' sex. It does SD test and SSA only eliminates the 'Undesirable' sex. It does not guarantee the 'desirable' birth.not guarantee the 'desirable' birth.

Repeated abortions adversely effect the already compromised Repeated abortions adversely effect the already compromised health status of women.health status of women.

Net reproductive rate target is 1 (decrease the number to Net reproductive rate target is 1 (decrease the number to decrease the population) Not good for societal health.decrease the population) Not good for societal health.

MYTHS & REALITIES MYTHS & REALITIES Sex Selective Abortion is an effective tool for Sex Selective Abortion is an effective tool for

population control/ family planningpopulation control/ family planning

Sex Determination tests are safe and accurateSex Determination tests are safe and accurateSonography can tell after 20 weeks and not Sonography can tell after 20 weeks and not accurate.accurate.SD will not alter the sex ratio of the populationSD will not alter the sex ratio of the populationHow can you oppose SSA if you are not How can you oppose SSA if you are not opposed to abortion?opposed to abortion? SSA are more Humane than dowry murders or SSA are more Humane than dowry murders or Sati.Sati.

MYTHS & REALITIES MYTHS & REALITIES

GENDER INEQUALITYGENDER INEQUALITY FACTSFACTS

Gender inequality exists in most parts of the world Gender inequality exists in most parts of the world Mortality inequalityMortality inequality Natality inequalityNatality inequality Basic facility inequalityBasic facility inequality Special opportunity inequalitySpecial opportunity inequality Professional inequalityProfessional inequality Ownership inequalityOwnership inequality Household inequalitiesHousehold inequalities Cultural BiasesCultural Biases

Status of Women--Some indicators Status of Women--Some indicators Percent of births in past 3 years Percent of births in past 3 years for which mother received

Percent of women Ages

married before age 18 (Haryana)

(Punjab)

25 -- 4925 -- 49

59.959.9

22.722.7

Percent of in the past 3 yearsBirth of order 3+ (H)

(P)

41.641.6

39.639.6

Percent of women ages 15 -- 4915 -- 49

With any Anemia (H)

(P)

47.047.0

41.441.4

Percent of women ages 15-49 with Any antenatal check up (H)

(P)

58.158.1

74.074.0

Status of Women--Some indicators Status of Women--Some indicators 2 or more doses of T.T during pregnancy (H)

(P)

79.789.9

For which mother received any IFA (H)(P)

67.079.6

Which took place in a health facility (H) (P)(P)

22.437.5

Which are attended by a Health personnel (H)(P)(P)

42.062.6

With post partum check up with in 2 months (H)(P)(P)

15.715.720.320.3

Not needing permission to visit friends/relatives (H)(P)(P)

20.820.828.028.0

Preferred sex of next child among married women up to God (H)

(P)(P)

14.714.746.946.9

BoyDoes not matterGirlGirl

46.946.927.527.511.011.0

CULTURAL BIASESCULTURAL BIASES

Factors which maintain gender SystemFactors which maintain gender System All religions have lower status for womenAll religions have lower status for women Patriarchal framework of society and family is against womenPatriarchal framework of society and family is against women Judiciary also have gender biasesJudiciary also have gender biases Political InstitutionsPolitical Institutions Economic InstitutionsEconomic Institutions Media –Print and electronic as wellMedia –Print and electronic as well Educational InstitutionsEducational Institutions Our day today life valuesOur day today life values

Cultural Practices maintaining Cultural Practices maintaining gendergender

Medicines for Son BirthMedicines for Son Birth Thali bajana aur Mattam mananaThali bajana aur Mattam manana Celebration of son –Sweet distributionCelebration of son –Sweet distribution 66thth day celebration as “CHHATH” for Boy day celebration as “CHHATH” for Boy 5 kg Ghee and 10 kg Ghee5 kg Ghee and 10 kg Ghee Namkaran sanskar for BoyNamkaran sanskar for Boy Funeral is to be lit by SonFuneral is to be lit by Son Different DressesDifferent Dresses Different Hair StylesDifferent Hair Styles Honour KillingsHonour Killings Khansama is maleKhansama is male Halwai is maleHalwai is male SuhagSuhag Vart- karva chauth Vart- karva chauth

Cultural PracticesCultural Practices

She will eat last of allShe will eat last of all Vans ka Chalaney walaVans ka Chalaney wala Pati parmeshwar- gambler, drunkard or womanizerPati parmeshwar- gambler, drunkard or womanizer Different playsDifferent plays KanyadanKanyadan Life of a Widow womenLife of a Widow women Budhapey ka saharaBudhapey ka sahara Son Preference and Daughter Aversion in Folk SongsSon Preference and Daughter Aversion in Folk Songs Inheritance RightsInheritance Rights

UTILISATION OF MEDICAL SERVICES UTILISATION OF MEDICAL SERVICES

As many as 90% of population take recourse to western As many as 90% of population take recourse to western Medical Care.Medical Care.Primary Health Care Centers meet as little as 3% of the Primary Health Care Centers meet as little as 3% of the needs.needs.Government Hospitals cost as much as private Government Hospitals cost as much as private Hospitals.Hospitals.Most important point is that expenditure to meet the Most important point is that expenditure to meet the cost of Health Care is the second most important cause cost of Health Care is the second most important cause of rural indebtedness.of rural indebtedness.

The woman folk is the most affected out of these left outs.The woman folk is the most affected out of these left outs.

Implications of GenderImplications of Gender

Declining sex ratioDeclining sex ratio Increasing Atrocities on WomenIncreasing Atrocities on Women Increasing Domestic Violence on womenIncreasing Domestic Violence on women Disturbed family life of marriagable age peopleDisturbed family life of marriagable age people Many women for rich and polyandry for the poorMany women for rich and polyandry for the poor Purchase of BridesPurchase of Brides Dehumanization of women and society as a wholeDehumanization of women and society as a whole Increasing Fatwas of PanchayatsIncreasing Fatwas of Panchayats

YearYear Dowry Death Dowry Death 304-B304-B

Rape Regd Rape Regd 376 – 8 IPC376 – 8 IPC

Molestation Molestation 354 IPC354 IPC

Torture for Torture for Dowry 498-ADowry 498-A

19991999 3030 1616 3333 3737

20002000 2323 2121 77 4040

20012001 2020 1010 2929 4343

20022002 2323 1717 2929 5454

20032003 2020 1515 1717 6969

20042004

Up to JuneUp to June

1212 1515 88 3838

National Crimes Record BureauNational Crimes Record Bureau As per the data published by the As per the data published by the National Crimes National Crimes

Record Bureau, New Delhi,Record Bureau, New Delhi, out of the total 1,15,723 out of the total 1,15,723 cases related to women and registered under IPC in cases related to women and registered under IPC in 1996, rape accounted for 14,846 (12.8 per cent), 1996, rape accounted for 14,846 (12.8 per cent), dowry deaths 5513 (4.8 per cent) and cases of torture dowry deaths 5513 (4.8 per cent) and cases of torture 35,246 (30.5 per cent).35,246 (30.5 per cent).In 1994, 98, 948 cases were registered under crime In 1994, 98, 948 cases were registered under crime against women compared to 83,954 cases in 1993 and against women compared to 83,954 cases in 1993 and 79,037 in 1992. The figure was 74,093 in 1991 and 79,037 in 1992. The figure was 74,093 in 1991 and 68,317 in 1990.68,317 in 1990.

National Commission for WomenNational Commission for Women

The The National Commission for WomenNational Commission for Women is a statutory is a statutory body constituted under the National Commission for body constituted under the National Commission for Women Act 1990 to protect and promote the interests Women Act 1990 to protect and promote the interests and to safeguard the rights of women.and to safeguard the rights of women.From January to December 2000, the Commission From January to December 2000, the Commission received a total of 5,268 complaints, which included received a total of 5,268 complaints, which included dowry deaths 527, murder 235, rape 277, molestation dowry deaths 527, murder 235, rape 277, molestation 11, dowry harassment 963, sexual harassment 131, 11, dowry harassment 963, sexual harassment 131, bigamy 110, desertion of wives 267 and other types bigamy 110, desertion of wives 267 and other types of harassment 2,747. of harassment 2,747.

Total no. of surveyed villagesTotal no. of surveyed villages 1212

No. of Gotras in surveyed No. of Gotras in surveyed villagesvillages

3 – 933 – 93

Sex Ratio (general)Sex Ratio (general) 759 – 976759 – 976

Sex Ratio (Schedule Castes)Sex Ratio (Schedule Castes) 632 - 941632 - 941

Women brought from other Women brought from other StatesStates

5050

Purchased Bride SurveyPurchased Bride Survey

S.NS.N Village Village NameName

Total Total Popula-Popula-

tiontion

WomenWomen MenMen S.C.S.C. WomenWomen MenMen Sex Sex Gen.Gen.

Ratio Ratio

S.C.S.C.

1.1. BaliyanaBaliyana 1500015000 -- 95509550 52005200 24002400 28002800 -- 857857

2.2. Devsar Devsar (Bhiwani)(Bhiwani)

85798579 42384238 43414341 18651865 894894 971971 976976 920920

3.3. Bhartana Bhartana (Jind)(Jind)

29732973 12901290 16831683 608608 266266 342342 766766 777777

4.4. Bahuakbar Bahuakbar pur (rohtak)pur (rohtak)

1128011280 51505150 61306130 - - -- -- 840840 --

5.5. LalitKhera LalitKhera (Jind)(Jind)

20472047 965965 10821082 310310 133133 177177 891891 791791

6. 6. Talav Talav (Jhajjar)(Jhajjar)

47504750 22532253 24772477 825825 396396 429429 902902 923923

7.7. Nayabas Nayabas (Rohtak)(Rohtak)

35003500 16001600 19001900 600600 275275 325325 842842 915915

8.8. SaimanSaiman 77627762 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

9.9. JindranJindran 14831483 509509 670670 304304 144144 160160 759759 900900

10.10. GhuskaniGhuskani 13491349 462462 557557 330330 160160 170170 829829 941941

11.11. KultanaKultana 44804480 21152115 23652365 710710 275275 435435 894894 632632

12.12. NiganaNigana -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

S.NoS.No Village NameVillage Name Gotra NumberGotra Number

1.1. BaliyanaBaliyana 3939

2.2. Devsar (Bhiwani)Devsar (Bhiwani) 1515

3.3. Bhartana (Jind)Bhartana (Jind) 3232

4.4. Bahuakbar pur (rohtak)Bahuakbar pur (rohtak) 1515

5.5. LalitKhera (Jind)LalitKhera (Jind) 1818

6. 6. Talav (Jhajjar)Talav (Jhajjar) 1515

7.7. Nayabas (Rohtak)Nayabas (Rohtak) 3333

8.8. SaimanSaiman 2323

9.9. JindranJindran 33

10.10. GhuskaniGhuskani 55

11.11. KultanaKultana 1414

12.12. NiganaNigana 9393

POLICY INITIATIVES POLICY INITIATIVES Registering & monitoring of all pregnancies from 6th weeks Registering & monitoring of all pregnancies from 6th weeks

onward & not from 12th weeks.onward & not from 12th weeks. Increase marriage age of girls from 18 to 21. Stop child marriagesIncrease marriage age of girls from 18 to 21. Stop child marriages Provide compulsory, free, quality education to all girl children up Provide compulsory, free, quality education to all girl children up

to Secondary school level (Real Access should be there)to Secondary school level (Real Access should be there) Extend 50% representation to women in all decision making Extend 50% representation to women in all decision making

bodies of the state to introduce a feministic political culture bodies of the state to introduce a feministic political culture conducive to women friendly political action.conducive to women friendly political action.

Eradicate child Labour and guarantee employment for adult Eradicate child Labour and guarantee employment for adult women.women.

Bring policy and legal measures to ensure that women have rights Bring policy and legal measures to ensure that women have rights and control over productive resources, for the economic and control over productive resources, for the economic empowerment of women.empowerment of women.

Provide life-sustaining resources such as health, nutrition, water, Provide life-sustaining resources such as health, nutrition, water, education to all the children without gender bias.education to all the children without gender bias.

Entrust power to panchayats to maintain a Entrust power to panchayats to maintain a register of demographic profile with the details on register of demographic profile with the details on vital statistics.vital statistics.Frame the child policy and girl child policy to Frame the child policy and girl child policy to protect the interest of the girl children.protect the interest of the girl children.Extend gender sensitization training to policy Extend gender sensitization training to policy makers, planners, administrators and makers, planners, administrators and implementers at all levels.implementers at all levels.Promote gender perspective in to all policies and Promote gender perspective in to all policies and sectoral- programmessectoral- programmes

POLICY INITIATIVES POLICY INITIATIVES

The health Secretary should issue necessary GO for The health Secretary should issue necessary GO for periodical reporting of births, deaths and abortions by periodical reporting of births, deaths and abortions by all the private hospitals and Government hospitals, to all the private hospitals and Government hospitals, to the state and this should be made public on request.the state and this should be made public on request.Registration of all births and death should be made Registration of all births and death should be made compulsory at village level, through the statutory compulsory at village level, through the statutory health committee formed under panchayati raj health committee formed under panchayati raj institutions.institutions.Activate the health committee at the panchayat level Activate the health committee at the panchayat level to monitor the health services at the village level.to monitor the health services at the village level.

ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMSADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS

ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMSADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS

Sex of the foetus for all second trimester abortions to Sex of the foetus for all second trimester abortions to be documented clearly.be documented clearly.Publish a scientific report every year on the causes for Publish a scientific report every year on the causes for the declining child sex ratio and the steps taken by the the declining child sex ratio and the steps taken by the Govt. to stop the decline trend.Govt. to stop the decline trend.Form Monitoring cell at the panchayat level to look Form Monitoring cell at the panchayat level to look into the incidence of atrocities on women and girl into the incidence of atrocities on women and girl child.child.Maintain the disaggregate data by sex and age related Maintain the disaggregate data by sex and age related to children and make it open to public.to children and make it open to public.

LEGISLATIVE REFORMS LEGISLATIVE REFORMS Strict implementation of the Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques Strict implementation of the Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and prevention of Misuse) Act 1994,PNDT Act (Regulation and prevention of Misuse) Act 1994,PNDT Act amendment Rules 2003 and compulsory registration of all genetic amendment Rules 2003 and compulsory registration of all genetic counseling centers, Genetic Laboratories and Genetic clinics.counseling centers, Genetic Laboratories and Genetic clinics.Take stringent action against the violators of the Pre Natal Diagnostic Take stringent action against the violators of the Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques( Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act 1994, by Techniques( Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act 1994, by formulating suitable procedures which empower the Appropriate formulating suitable procedures which empower the Appropriate authority to take action authority to take action 20 police cases and 8 machines sealed by 31.12.2003. Punishment ?20 police cases and 8 machines sealed by 31.12.2003. Punishment ?Stop all medical technologies that imbalances the birth ratio of female Stop all medical technologies that imbalances the birth ratio of female children.children.Strictly enforce all progressive legislations and enact legislation to Strictly enforce all progressive legislations and enact legislation to protect the rights of the girls and women.protect the rights of the girls and women.

LEGISLATIVE REFORMSLEGISLATIVE REFORMS

Enacting a central legislation for ensuring registration Enacting a central legislation for ensuring registration and monitoring the functioning of all private clinics as and monitoring the functioning of all private clinics as there is a growing trend in commercialization of there is a growing trend in commercialization of medical profession.medical profession. Necessary amendments in PNDT Act & MTP Act Necessary amendments in PNDT Act & MTP Act which takes away the punishment for victim women.which takes away the punishment for victim women.

PNDT(regulationPNDT(regulation andand preventionprevention of misuse) of misuse) Amendment Act 2003 empowering the Advisory Amendment Act 2003 empowering the Advisory committee for monitoring the Prenatal diagnostic committee for monitoring the Prenatal diagnostic centers should be strictly implemented.centers should be strictly implemented.

Strict enforcement of MTP Act etc.Strict enforcement of MTP Act etc.