The document discusses a study on the awareness of anganwadi workers regarding female foeticide in Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. It finds that while the workers were generally aware of female foeticide and its causes, their knowledge of relevant laws was low. Only 6% knew about the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, and many were unaware of legal fines and imprisonment for sex determination. The study aims to increase awareness among anganwadi workers of the issue and existing policies to address female foeticide.

1. International Indexed & Referred Research Journal, April, 2012. ISSN- 0975-3486, RNI-RAJBIL 2009/30097;VoL.III *ISSUE-31
Research Paper—Home Science
Awareness Among Anganwadi Workers Related to
Female Foeticide in District Kathua, J and K State
*Dr. Shashi Manhas ** Poonam Dogra
April, 2012 *** Pushap Lata
*Associate Professor, P.G Dept. of Home science.University of Jammu
** Research Scholar, P.G Dept. of Home science.University of Jammu
****P.G Dept.of Home Sc. (Human Development) University of Jammu
A B S T R A C T
The present investigation was undertaken to know the awareness among Anganwadi workers regarding Female Foeticide.Sample
comprised of 50 Anganwadi workers selected from 25 villages of Hiranagar Block of Kathua district.Random sampling technique
was used to draw a sample for the study.A self devised interview schedule was used as a tool for data collection.The results revealed
that majority of the respondents were aware about the prevalence and causes of female foeticide.Awareness regarding contributing
factors for female foeticide found among anganwadi workers were mushrooming of ultrasound clinics , followed by ability to pay
for abortion and son preference .Son is preferred for performing the last rites of parents, support in old age and carry on the family
lineage.Anganwadi workers were also aware about the repercussions of female Foeticide.Awareness of anganwadi workers related
to Medical Termination of Pregnancy and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act was negligible.They were not aware about guide-
lines and legal aspects regarding PNDT.Intervention programmes were also organized to aware anganwadi workers regarding law
and government action plans to overcome the problem of female foeticide.
Keywords: Female foeticide, Awareness, Anganwadi workers, Repercussions.
Introduction not only help to supplement the family's income but
Girl child has been the subject of deprivation also a major support to the parents in old age where as
, discrimination, intimidation and unjust treatment in girls would not because after marriage they had to
society through out history.In earlier times, girls were leave their parental home(National Comission for
killed after birth by rubbing poison on the mother's Women, 2004 and National Institute of Public coop-
breast and by feeding them milk of the errukam flower eration and Child development, 2008).Social sequirty
or oleander berries. Today with the boon in economy is another reason for son preference with the belief
and innovative technologies the plight of a girl child that he will be the one who can perform the last funeral
starts before she sees the light of this beautiful rites of parents for the salvation of their souls where as
world.They are not allowed to reach to womanhood girl's cannot perform this. (Yadav and Badri 1997)
and the girl child is killed before they are born through Another reason is the notion that without a male child
female foeticide, which is an extreme manifestation of , there would be no future generation bearing the
violence against women. family name.This stereo- type notion of sons as asset
Indian society like most of the societies world and daughters as a burden is one of the main reason
over is patriarchal and patrilineal .The age old prefer- behind female foeticide (Prasad, 2001)
ence for son is motivated by economic , religious, so- The latest advances in modern medical sci-
cial and emotional desires and norms that favour males ences like Amniocentesis and Ultrasonography which
and females less desirable.Parents expect sons but not were originally designed for detection of abnormali-
daughters because daughters are considered to be eco- ties of the foetus are being misused for detecting the
nomic liability to her parents mainly because of the sex of the foetus with the intention of aborting it , if it
heavy dowry payment demanded by the groom's fam- happens to be that of a female .Study revealed that if
ily as well as the high cost of the wedding, which is the first child was a female more miscarriages were
generally the responsibility of the bride's family to reported during the second pregnancy in contrast when
bear before and after marriage where as sons add to the first child was a male.(Institute for Development
family wealth and property.The evil of dowry demand and Communication , 2002)The preference for a son
is the main reason for female foeticide.(Srivastava et.al and the abid to keep the size of the family small has
2005 and Walia 2005) promoted the mushrooming business of sex determi-
As per famous Telgu saying,'' bringing up nation tests and female foeticide.The widespread
daughter is like watering plants in a neighbour's availability of facilities such as ultrasound and genetic
garden''.In contrast to girls , sons are a source of eco- tests prompted the people to avail these services.Pre
nomic sequirity and support provider in old age.They birth elimination of females found to be increased along
20 RESEARCH AN ALYSI S AND EVALU ATION

2. International Indexed & Referred Research Journal, April, 2012. ISSN- 0975-3486, RNI-RAJBIL 2009/30097;VoL.III *ISSUE-31
with the increase in female literacy rates.(Chattopadhay district female sex ratio declines from 898 in 2001 to
, 2003).It seems to be more prevalent in urban areas 877 in 2011 which indicates a trend of female
then in rural areas, but the gap is increasingly decreas- foeticide.The study was conducted on factors that pre-
ing because of easy availability of sex determination fer sons and undervalued daughters and to find out the
tests in rural areas.Study shows that the good trans- root causes responsible for female foeticide.Anganwadi
portation network and the ability to pay for the ser- workers were selected for the study as they continuosly
vices of the mobile doctors are responsible for the track women and children through contacts and their
widespread recourse to ultrasound in rural areas monthly meetings.These people have mass contacts
also(Bose, 2001). and they can offer a unique opportunity to address the
The increasing incidence of female foeticide problem of female foeticide.
has led to a drastic decrease in the number of girls/ Methodology
boys.The practice of eliminating females is believed to Sample : The sample for the present investigation com-
be one of the main reasons for adverse sex prised of 50 Anganwadi workers belonging to Hiranagar
ratio(Sen,2002).The report of the 15th Indian census block of Kathua District. Data was collected in the
is alarming for the simple reason that while in a coun- month of Jan- Feb , 2011. A systematic random sam-
try of 1.2 billion strong people, the overall sex ratio pling technique was used to select the sample for the
has improved from 933 to 940 - the highest nationwide study.
since census 1971 and a shade lower than 1961, but Tools used for data collection: Selected subjects were
the child sex ratio ie. the number of female children in contacted personally for data collection.Data was col-
the age group of 0-6 years has further dipped.In 1961, lected using a self devised interview schedule.Before
there were 978 females/1000 male children in the age finalizing the interview schedule , pretesting was done
group of 0-6 years population, by 2001 the figure has on 10 anganwadi workers to see the appropriateness of
declined to 927.The 2011 census showed a further the interview schedule in the form of additions and
decline to 914.Till the 1980's the child sex ratio (o-6 deletions and then interview schedule was finalized
years ) was much higher than the overall sex ratio then and applied on the respondents.Major contents of the
it starts declining.The consistently declining child sex interview schedule were:demographic profile of the
ratio is a testimony to the failure of the string out laws respondents, gender discrimination , family size and
against sex determination tests and large scale preva- composition, declining sex ratio and female foeticide,
lence of female foeticide. (Kashmir times, 2011) abortion related practices and legislative and preven-
In Jammu and Kashmir - The overall sex ratio tive measures
has declined to 883 and the girl child sex ratio has Data Analysis :Collected data was analysed by both
plummeted to 859/1000 males, making it third worst qualitative and quantitative methods.
state in the country after Haryana and Punjab (830) Results and Discussion :
and (846).2011 figures have point out that the child Regarding awareness among anganwadi
sex ratio has improved in the two neighbouring states workers about immoral and inhuman act of female
unlike Jammu and Kashmir where it has dipped.This foeticide.The following main aspects were investigated
points out not just the inadequacies of existing laws in and related findings are detailed out below:
Jammu and Kashmir but also a complete social and Table1: Demographic profile of the respondents re-
official denial to the enormously alarming situation.A veals that majority of the anganwadi workers(42%)
study published in The Lancet reveals that wealthy and (24%)were in the middle age group ie.31-35 years
and educated families are increasingly aborting the and 36-40 years ,where as only (8%) and (2%)were in
second girl child if the first born is a girl, which points the age group of 46-50 and 51-55 years.Education
out that there is lesser female child sex ratio among the qualification reveals that majority (34%) of the re-
educated urban elite where the sizes of families by and spondents were qualified upto 10th where as( 28%
large decreased but the perverse culture guided by an )were graduate and remaining (24%) were
abnoxion and retrogressive mindset of discriminating intermediate.It reveals that only a minority(4%) were
against the girl child continues to persist (Hindustan post graduate and (2%) were graduate with
times, 2011). B.ed.Experience of anganwadi workers shows that
Keeping in view the above said facts- The present majority (46%) were newly appointed and had only 1-
study was planned to know the awareness among 5 years of work experience, another(28%) had work
anganwadi workers regarding female foeticide in Dis- experience of 11-14 years and only a minority(4%) had
trict Kathua.2011 census reveals that there is a trend experience of 21-30 years.
of declining sex ratio in Jammu and Kashmir.In Kathua See Table 1
RESEARCH AN ALYSI S AND EVALU ATION
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3. International Indexed & Referred Research Journal, April, 2012. ISSN- 0975-3486, RNI-RAJBIL 2009/30097;VoL.III *ISSUE-31
Table1:Demographic profile of the respondents(Anganwadi workers)
Age wise distribution No.(N=100) %(N=100%)
Age in years
25-30 7 14%
31-35 21 42%
36-40 12 24%
41-45 5 10%
46-50 4 8%
51-55 1 2%
Qualification wise distribution
Below matric 4 8%
Matric 17 34%
Intermediate 12 24%
Graduate 14 28%
Post graduate 2 4%
Post graduate with B.ed 1 2%
Experience wise distribution
1-5 23 46%
6-10 7 14%
11-15 14 28%
16-20 4 8%
21-25 1 2%
26-30 1 2%
Table 2: Presents awareness and source of informa- information from doctors/nurses. But it was found
tion about female foeticide among during the study that all of the respondents were not
respondents.Findings revealed that all respondents aware about the sex ratio at State /district level.
(100%) were aware about female foeticide but regard- See Table 2
ing their source of information majority (98%) of them Fig1:presents awareness of anganwadi workers regard-
got information from health workers /ICDS surveys ing methods of sex determination.Majority of the
which they have to conduct in their area of centre, respondents (92%) were aware about the methods of
(36%) informed that they got information from media sex determination and viewed that ultrasound is the
including T.V and news papers and (6%) from rela- only single method for detecting sex of the foetus where
tives, friends and neighbours and only (2%) get this as remaining (8%) responded that they were not aware
Table 2: Source of Information among Anganwadi about any sex determination methods.
workers about female foeticide Table 3 : presents the detail information regarding
Source of Information No. % the knowledge of ICDS functionaries about Medical
Termination of Pregnancy act and Pre- natal Diagnos-
Media (T.V,Newspapers) 18 36% tic Technique act. It reveals that only (6%) respon-
Healthworkers/ICDS Surveys 49 98% dents were aware about Medical Termination of Preg-
Doctors/Nurses 1 2%
Relatives/Friends/Neighbours 3 6% Table 3: Awareness among Anganwadi workers about
Multiple response Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act and Pre- natal
Diagnostic Technique (Prevention and misuse )Act.
Knowledge about No. %
MTP
and PNDT
Aware 3 6%
Not aware 47 94%
Total 50 100%
nancy act and Pre- natal Diagnostic Technique act .It
reveals that there is lack of awareness among
anganwadi workers about MTP and PNDT act which
Fig 1 : Awareness of Anganwadi workers about requires immediate attention .
methods of sex determination Table 4:depicts awareness of anganwadi workers about
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4. International Indexed & Referred Research Journal, April, 2012. ISSN- 0975-3486, RNI-RAJBIL 2009/30097;VoL.III *ISSUE-31
fine and imprisonment for sex determination and fe- respondents viewed that son is preferred for perform-
male foeticide.It reveals that majority of the respon- ing the last rites of parents and (52%) were of the view
dents (62%) were aware that govt. has imposed fine point that son is preferred with the belief that he will
on sex detection and female foeticide where as (38%) be the one to care for his parents in old age where as
were totally unaware about the fine imposed for sex another (52%) respondents had the opinion that the
detection made by the govt. Another (72%) respon- male child is essential with the belief that he will be the
dents were aware about imprisonment for sex deter- bread winner of the family.A negligible (2%) respon-
mination and female foeticide where as remaining dents responded that sons bring dowry at the time of
(28%) were not aware of imprisonment for sex deter- marriage which adds wealth and property whereas
mination .A study carried out on level of awareness daughters drain it through dowry.Similar kind of study
among various laws under which violence against was carried out by Anand 1998 which also depicts the
Table 4: Awareness among Anganwadi workers about above said reasons for son preference.
fine and imprisonment for sex determination and fe- Fig 2: Reasons responsible for son preference accord-
male foeticide ing to Anganwadi workers
Awareness No. %
Awareness about
fine
Yes 31 62%
No 19 38%
Total 50 100%
Awareness
about imprisonment
Yes 36 72%
No 14 28%
Total 50 100%
women and their harassment is a punishable offence
was very low among the women.In a study carried out Table 6:Provides information regarding contributing
by Nayar in 1995 also depicts that there was less aware-factors for female foeticide, according to anganwadi
ness among women regarding various laws. workers. Majority (42%) of respondents were of the
Table 5 : highlights the gender sensitization view that mushrooming of ultrasound clinics were
programmes organized by their department including contributing factors for female foeticide.(36%) were of
their CDPO'S and Supervisors on different issues re- the opinion that ability to pay for abortion, (20%) said
lated to women and children.It shows that (64%) of that due to son preference , (14%) disclosed that due to
respondents had attended programmes on issues re- poor implementation of MTP act and remaining (6%)
lated to inequality with girls in education and nutri- responded that dowry was also the contributing factor
tion and female foeticide where as (36%) did not at- towards female foeticide.Similar contributing factors
tended any gender sensitization programme, but after for female foeticide including dowry and the wide-
attending these programmes by (64%) respondents spread availability of ultrasound and genetic facilities
only (12%) organized programmes to sensitize public were also found by Voluntary Health Association of
on the issue of female foeticide with the help of com- India, 2003.
Table5 :Gender Sensitization programmes attended and organized by Anganwadi workers.
Gender sensitization programmes Gender sensitization programme
No. (%) No. (%)
Attended 32 (64%) Organised 6 (12%)
Not attended 18 (36%) Not organized 44 (88%)
Total 50 (100%) Total 50 (100%)
munity women and members of mahila mandals and Increasing incidences of female foeticide and decline
remaining (88%) respondents did not organized any in the no. of females lead to various demographic and
programme and they were of the view that it does not social consequences.The various problems forseen
come under their work and duties. owing to increased female foeticide include non- avail-
Fig 2: gives an insight into reasons for son preference ability of brides,rise in sexual violence against women
according to anganwadi workers.It reveals that (78%) and lack of female workforce(Ghosh et.al ,2005)
Fig 3 : depicts that non- availability of brides was
RESEARCH AN ALYSI S AND EVALU ATION
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5. International Indexed & Referred Research Journal, April, 2012. ISSN- 0975-3486, RNI-RAJBIL 2009/30097;VoL.III *ISSUE-31
perceived by (96%) of respondents as the major reper-
cussion of female foeticide followed by increase in
Table 6 : Awareness among Anganwadi workers re-
garding factors contributing to female foeticide
Contributing factors No. %
Son preference 10 20%
Dowry/Financial liability 3 6%
Poor implementation of
MTP Act 7 14%
Ability to pay for abortion 18 36%
Mushrooming of ultrasound
clinics 21 42%
Multiple Response
crime against women especially sexual violence (42%) Fig 3 :Awareness of Anganwadi workers regarding
and lack of female workforce(16%). repercussions of female foeticide
Conclusion workers related to female foeticide it appears that
Female foeticide is a symptom of underlying anganwadi workers were aware about female foeticide
malady.Its incidence is increasing as familiar perceiv- and major reasons perceived for son preference were
ing that bearing daughters does not make economic for performing the last rites of parents followed by
sense and does not provide any social earn and support in old age. Similar reasons for son
advantages.Added to that is generation of bias that preference including son is a support provider in old
favours bearing a male child, Hence efforts directly age and perform the last rites of parents were also
selectively towards curbing the practice of prenatal found by (MOHFW and TINNARI, 2002).Majority of
sex determination are unlikely to provide such the respondents perceived non - availability of brides
dividends.This situation calls for a two prolonged strat- as the major repercussion of female
egy - one to take steps to improve the status of women foeticide.Anganwadi workers were aware of only ul-
and girls in the society and the other to ensure effective trasound method for sex determination of the foetus
implementation of the Prenatal Diagnostic Technique but there is lack of awareness among anganwadi work-
(PNDT) act so that families find it difficult to under- ers regarding Medical Termination of Pregnancy act
take sex determination and sex selective abortion.From and Prenatal Diagnostic Technique act which needs
the results of the study on awareness among anganwadi urgent attention.They were in favour of strict imple-
mentation of law against this immoral act.
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24 RESEARCH AN ALYSI S AND EVALU ATION