Pcpndt Act, 1994
Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994.
Backdrop.
Son preference and discrimination against the girl child is almost universal in India and manifests itself in many ways, including sex selection i.e. pre-birth elimination of female fetuses. This practice has led to decline in the Child Sex Ratio in most parts of India. The Child Sex ratio, which is the number of girls per 1000 boys in the 0-6 years age group has declined from 976 in 1961 to 914 in 2011. The Child Sex Ratio in the State of Maharashtra declined from 940 in 1991 to 913 in 2001 to 883 in 2011. Child sex ratio in the State has declined at a rate of 3.28% between 2001 and 2011 as against 1.4% for the Country.
The decline in sex ratio can severely impact the delicate equilibrium of nature and destroy our moral and social fabric. Sex selection is a reflection of the low status of women in society and a patriarchal mindset steeped in son preference. Sex selection also occurs because of the perceived financial cost of having a girl child, which includes paying for her education, community customs that put burden on the family, the increasing commercialization of the institution of marriage because of which large sums have to be spent on the marriage ceremony and given away as dowry. In general this perception conjoined with the attitude that the girl is a “paraya dhan” creates a mindset that girls are indeed a liability and boys, assets because of reasons of lineage and the perception that they would provide old age support.
The consequences of declining sex ratio are serious, all pervading and far reaching. Lesser number of girls in society has resulted in increased violence against women and denial of basic rights to them. It has also led to increase in sex related crimes (rape, abduction, forced polyandry). Sex selection, further, impacts health, especially reproductive health of women who are forced to go in for repeated pregnancies followed by
Backdrop.
Son preference and discrimination against the girl child is almost universal in India and manifests itself in many ways, including sex selection i.e. pre-birth elimination of female fetuses. This practice has led to decline in the Child Sex Ratio in most parts of India. The Child Sex ratio, which is the number of girls per 1000 boys in the 0-6 years age group has declined from 976 in 1961 to 914 in 2011. The Child Sex Ratio in the State of Maharashtra declined from 940 in 1991 to 913 in 2001 to 883 in 2011. Child sex ratio in the State has declined at a rate of 3.28% between 2001 and 2011 as against 1.4% for the Country.
The decline in sex ratio can severely impact the delicate equilibrium of nature and destroy our moral and social fabric. Sex selection is a reflection of the low status of women in society and a patriarchal mindset steeped in son preference. Sex selection also occurs because of the perceived financial cost of having a girl child, which includes paying for her education, community customs that put burden on the family, the increasing commercialization of the institution of marriage because of which large sums have to be spent on the marriage ceremony and given away as dowry. In general this perception conjoined with the attitude that the girl is a “paraya dhan” creates a mindset that girls are indeed a liability and boys, assets because of reasons of lineage and the perception that they would provide old age support.
The consequences of declining sex ratio are serious, all pervading and far reaching. Lesser number of girls in society has resulted in increased violence against women and denial of basic rights to them. It has also led to increase in sex related crimes (rape, abduction, forced polyandry). Sex selection, further, impacts health, especially reproductive health of women who are forced to go in for repeated pregnancies followed by