Gender Based Sex Selective Abortion in India
Term Paper
On
Gender Biased Sex Selective Abortions in India
For
Public Public Analysis
By
N. K.Sudhansu
PGPPM
Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore
2011
ABSTRACT
The population census of 2011 has given the familiar pattern of declining Child Sex Ratio (Age 0-6 years). From 976 in the census of 1961, it has come down to 914 in census of 2011 (provisional figures). Some of the States like Haryana (830) have reached a dangerous level. What is startling is the rate of decline, which has gathered momentum from the decade of 1970s. Interestingly it coincides with the introduction of Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques like Amniocentesis and Ultra Sonography. Because of the historical bias against the girl, female infanticide, honour killing, dowry deaths etc. have been common in our society. However, the modern, non invasive prenatal diagnostic techniques have enabled early and quick sex determination and sex-biased selective termination of pregnancy. Though it is very difficult to attribute exact numbers to sex-biased selective abortion, a recent study has estimated that the estimated gap in the girls to boy at the age of 0-6 years due to selective abortion of female fetuses in the last 40 years is between13.3 to 13.7 millions[1]. The Government has responded to the issues of sex-biased abortions very late. Till 1971, the illegal abortions were dealt with under the provisions of IPC. In the year 1971, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act was passed. Though passed with good intention, it resulted in increase in sex biased abortions. To prevent the misuse of the Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques, the Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act was passed in 1994 which came into force in 1996, which provides for Advisory committees and Appropriate Authorities for enforcing the act at the district level. Analysis of the policies and its implementation reveal that more efforts are needed both in
On
Gender Biased Sex Selective Abortions in India
For
Public Public Analysis
By
N. K.Sudhansu
PGPPM
Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore
2011
ABSTRACT
The population census of 2011 has given the familiar pattern of declining Child Sex Ratio (Age 0-6 years). From 976 in the census of 1961, it has come down to 914 in census of 2011 (provisional figures). Some of the States like Haryana (830) have reached a dangerous level. What is startling is the rate of decline, which has gathered momentum from the decade of 1970s. Interestingly it coincides with the introduction of Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques like Amniocentesis and Ultra Sonography. Because of the historical bias against the girl, female infanticide, honour killing, dowry deaths etc. have been common in our society. However, the modern, non invasive prenatal diagnostic techniques have enabled early and quick sex determination and sex-biased selective termination of pregnancy. Though it is very difficult to attribute exact numbers to sex-biased selective abortion, a recent study has estimated that the estimated gap in the girls to boy at the age of 0-6 years due to selective abortion of female fetuses in the last 40 years is between13.3 to 13.7 millions[1]. The Government has responded to the issues of sex-biased abortions very late. Till 1971, the illegal abortions were dealt with under the provisions of IPC. In the year 1971, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act was passed. Though passed with good intention, it resulted in increase in sex biased abortions. To prevent the misuse of the Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques, the Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act was passed in 1994 which came into force in 1996, which provides for Advisory committees and Appropriate Authorities for enforcing the act at the district level. Analysis of the policies and its implementation reveal that more efforts are needed both in