The document discusses the alarming trend of female foeticide in urban India, highlighting the cultural preference for sons and the significant decline in the child sex ratio. It emphasizes the need for increased awareness and action among urban couples regarding this human rights issue, along with the implementation of regulatory laws like the PCPNDT Act. Social work interventions are proposed to address this problem through counseling, awareness campaigns, and community mobilization.

1. PresenterPresenter
Dr. Anoop KumarDr. Anoop Kumar
BhartiyaBhartiya
Department of Social WorkDepartment of Social Work
University of LucknowUniversity of Lucknow
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2. Awareness of Urban CouplesAwareness of Urban Couples
About Female FoeticideAbout Female Foeticide
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3. ““Female foeticide is a practice thatFemale foeticide is a practice that
involves the detection of the sex ofinvolves the detection of the sex of
the unborn baby in the womb of thethe unborn baby in the womb of the
mother and the decision to abort itmother and the decision to abort it
if the sex of the child is detectedif the sex of the child is detected
as a girl. This could be done at theas a girl. This could be done at the
behest of the mother, or father, orbehest of the mother, or father, or
both or under family pressure.”both or under family pressure.”
IntroductionIntroduction
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4. The Census 2001 indicates that whileThe Census 2001 indicates that while
there is an increase in the overall sex ratio ofthere is an increase in the overall sex ratio of
the country (927 females per 1000 males inthe country (927 females per 1000 males in
1991 to 933 females per 1000 males in 2001),1991 to 933 females per 1000 males in 2001),
the child sex ratio (in the 0-6 age group) hasthe child sex ratio (in the 0-6 age group) has
shown a decline in almost all the States asshown a decline in almost all the States as
compared to the 1991 Census. There are 16compared to the 1991 Census. There are 16
districts in the country having less than 800 girlsdistricts in the country having less than 800 girls
per 1000 boys. Out of these 10 are in Punjab, 5per 1000 boys. Out of these 10 are in Punjab, 5
in Haryana and 1 in Gujarat. This means forin Haryana and 1 in Gujarat. This means for
every 1000 boys 200 girls are missing in theseevery 1000 boys 200 girls are missing in these
districts. Further, there were 70 districts in thedistricts. Further, there were 70 districts in the
country in 2001 where the decline in child sexcountry in 2001 where the decline in child sex
ratio was more than 50 points when comparedratio was more than 50 points when compared
with the 1991 Census.with the 1991 Census.
Introduction
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5. Indicators are that sex ratio of UttarIndicators are that sex ratio of Uttar
Pradesh could be worse than that inPradesh could be worse than that in
Punjab and Haryana. State’s sex ratio atPunjab and Haryana. State’s sex ratio at
birth for 2008 stood at a shocking 812. Sexbirth for 2008 stood at a shocking 812. Sex
ratio of Uttar Pradeshratio of Uttar Pradesh was 888 as per 2001was 888 as per 2001
Census. This was 876 and 851 women perCensus. This was 876 and 851 women per
thousand males in Punjab and Haryanathousand males in Punjab and Haryana
respectively.respectively.
Introduction
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6. The situation in Lucknow may jolt further.The situation in Lucknow may jolt further.
Sex ratio at birth for the state capital was 770 inSex ratio at birth for the state capital was 770 in
2008. Compared with 2001 census figure (888),2008. Compared with 2001 census figure (888),
Lucknow has lost over a hundred girls beforeLucknow has lost over a hundred girls before
their birth in the last year. Precisely, more thantheir birth in the last year. Precisely, more than
one in five girls is being killed in the womb. Aone in five girls is being killed in the womb. A
stage may soon come when it would becomestage may soon come when it would become
extremely difficult, if not impossible, to make upextremely difficult, if not impossible, to make up
for the missing girls. Society needs to recognizefor the missing girls. Society needs to recognize
this discrimination: girls have a right to live justthis discrimination: girls have a right to live just
as boys do. Moreover, missing numbers of eitheras boys do. Moreover, missing numbers of either
sex, or the resulting imbalance, can destroy thesex, or the resulting imbalance, can destroy the
social and human fabric as we know it.social and human fabric as we know it.
Introduction
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7. RationaleRationale
Assessment of awareness of urban couplesAssessment of awareness of urban couples
about female foeticide is very importantabout female foeticide is very important
because:because:
1.1. There is a strong preference for sons,There is a strong preference for sons,
2.2. They are considered a source of support during old ageThey are considered a source of support during old age
and for performing religious rites at the time ofand for performing religious rites at the time of
cremation and subsequently,cremation and subsequently,
3.3. Son being responsible for carrying forward the familySon being responsible for carrying forward the family
name and occupation,name and occupation,
4.4. The practice of dowry and daughter being viewed asThe practice of dowry and daughter being viewed as
‘‘PARAYA-DHANPARAYA-DHAN’’’ (to be married and sent away) is yet’ (to be married and sent away) is yet
another reason why sons are preferred to daughters,another reason why sons are preferred to daughters,
5.5. The common practice of sex determination is referredThe common practice of sex determination is referred
to as Pre-Birth Elimination of Females (PBEF). PBEFto as Pre-Birth Elimination of Females (PBEF). PBEF
involves two stages: determination of the sex of theinvolves two stages: determination of the sex of the
foetus and induced termination if the foetus is not offoetus and induced termination if the foetus is not of 77

8. RationaleRationale
6.6. The government’s two-child norm and female foeticide haveThe government’s two-child norm and female foeticide have
got mixed up:got mixed up:
(a)(a) The famous family planning slogan, ‘The famous family planning slogan, ‘ HUM DO HAMARE DOHUM DO HAMARE DO ,’,’
mathematically adds up to only three possibilities- thatmathematically adds up to only three possibilities- that
people have two sons, two daughters, or one son and onepeople have two sons, two daughters, or one son and one
daughter. Two daughters are usually not acceptable,daughter. Two daughters are usually not acceptable,
culturally or economically, because they have to be marriedculturally or economically, because they have to be married
off. While one son and one daughter are tolerable, the idealoff. While one son and one daughter are tolerable, the ideal
situation people strive for is two sons.situation people strive for is two sons.
(b)(b) Slogan like ‘Slogan like ‘ BETI YA BETA DONO EK SAMANBETI YA BETA DONO EK SAMAN ’’, make little, make little
sense. How can they be equal for people, when girls have tosense. How can they be equal for people, when girls have to
be married off and sons can be used as crutches?, andbe married off and sons can be used as crutches?, and
77.. Our doctors are very clever than our policemen, our lawOur doctors are very clever than our policemen, our law
demands evidence and not a single one has been caught withdemands evidence and not a single one has been caught with
anything incriminating. Sex determination tests are the chiefanything incriminating. Sex determination tests are the chief
money-spinners. The Supreme Court has ordered that allmoney-spinners. The Supreme Court has ordered that all
ultrasound machines have to be registered, but who willultrasound machines have to be registered, but who will
supervise this - the Chief Medical Officer, who is also asupervise this - the Chief Medical Officer, who is also a
doctor? How can he complain against other doctors? Thedoctor? How can he complain against other doctors? The
truth is the PNDT Act is not implemented.truth is the PNDT Act is not implemented. 88

9. SignificanceSignificance
1.1. Indian Census has always shown a gendered imbalance.Indian Census has always shown a gendered imbalance.
After the 2001 Census showed a significant drop inAfter the 2001 Census showed a significant drop in
female-to-male sex ratio, this marked gap between boysfemale-to-male sex ratio, this marked gap between boys
and girls,and girls,
2.2. Sex selective abortion is a fairly recent phenomena butSex selective abortion is a fairly recent phenomena but
its root can be traced back to the age old practice ofits root can be traced back to the age old practice of
female infanticide,female infanticide,
3.3. People are encouraged to abort their female fetusesPeople are encouraged to abort their female fetuses
through advertisements in order to save the future costthrough advertisements in order to save the future cost
of dowry.of dowry.
4.4. Under the two main laws Medical Termination ofUnder the two main laws Medical Termination of
Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971 and the Pre NatalPregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971 and the Pre Natal
Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act, 1994, the IndianDiagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act, 1994, the Indian
government has conceded that abortion may be carriedgovernment has conceded that abortion may be carried
out if there is (a) danger to the life of the mother in childout if there is (a) danger to the life of the mother in child
birth, (b) if the child is at risk of being bornbirth, (b) if the child is at risk of being born
handicapped, or (c) if the women has conceived thehandicapped, or (c) if the women has conceived the
child as a result of rape ,child as a result of rape ,
5.5. Women are also allowed the right to abortion if theyWomen are also allowed the right to abortion if they
wish to do so in the interest of keeping the family small,wish to do so in the interest of keeping the family small,
andand
6.6. PNDT Act only focuses on regulation and control isPNDT Act only focuses on regulation and control is
techniques of pre-natal sex determination, not thetechniques of pre-natal sex determination, not the
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10. ObjectiveObjective
1.1. Awareness level about female foeticide between urbanAwareness level about female foeticide between urban
couples;couples;
2.2. Knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of couples towardsKnowledge, attitudes and behaviour of couples towards
female foeticide;female foeticide;
3.3. Female foeticide issue as a human rights and developmentalFemale foeticide issue as a human rights and developmental
issue not a woman’s issue;issue not a woman’s issue;
4.4. Implementation laws and act like PCPNDT Act, 1994 andImplementation laws and act like PCPNDT Act, 1994 and
MTP Act, 1971;MTP Act, 1971;
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11. Objective of the StudyObjective of the Study
7.7. To find out the relationship of attitude of pregnantTo find out the relationship of attitude of pregnant
women towards female foeticide with variables i.e. age,women towards female foeticide with variables i.e. age,
education, religion, occupation, married for years, familyeducation, religion, occupation, married for years, family
income, type of family, residence and source ofincome, type of family, residence and source of
information etc.information etc.
8.8. To enforce registration of births, deaths and pregnancyTo enforce registration of births, deaths and pregnancy
by all public and private hospitals;by all public and private hospitals;
9.9. To ensure active participation of couples for the removalTo ensure active participation of couples for the removal
of this practice at family and community level;of this practice at family and community level;
10.10. Publicity for the cause through the media and increasingPublicity for the cause through the media and increasing
awareness amongst the people through NGOs and otherawareness amongst the people through NGOs and other
organization;organization;
11.11. Focus on the humanistic, as well as scientific andFocus on the humanistic, as well as scientific and
rational approach and move away from the traditionalrational approach and move away from the traditional
teaching; andteaching; and
12.12. Counsel and teach them how to deal with this problem.Counsel and teach them how to deal with this problem.
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12. Social Work InterventionSocial Work Intervention
The Social Work Profession promotesThe Social Work Profession promotes
social change, problem solving in humansocial change, problem solving in human
relationships and the empowerment andrelationships and the empowerment and
liberation of people to enhance well-liberation of people to enhance well-
being. Utilising theories of humanbeing. Utilising theories of human
behaviour and social systems, socialbehaviour and social systems, social
work intervenes at the points wherework intervenes at the points where
people interact with their environments.people interact with their environments.
Principles of human rights and socialPrinciples of human rights and social
justice are fundamental to social work.justice are fundamental to social work.
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13. Social Work InterventionSocial Work Intervention
In this study the social worker adopt properIn this study the social worker adopt proper
intervention techniques and start programmesintervention techniques and start programmes
to deal with the problem. The professionallyto deal with the problem. The professionally
trained social worker can perform thistrained social worker can perform this
perfectly. The following action will be takenperfectly. The following action will be taken
for the purpose:-for the purpose:-
A.A. Social worker counsel to them at individualSocial worker counsel to them at individual
level and group level and mobilize atlevel and group level and mobilize at
community level;community level;
B.B. Awareness Generation Campaign:-Awareness Generation Campaign:-
• IEC programmes,IEC programmes,
• Media campaigns to generate massMedia campaigns to generate mass
awareness,awareness,
• Skill building with stakeholders.Skill building with stakeholders.
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14. Social Work InterventionSocial Work Intervention
C.C. Demonstration and Replication:-Demonstration and Replication:-
• PostersPosters
• PamphletPamphlet
• ExhibitionExhibition
D.D. Advocacy with political and religious leader.Advocacy with political and religious leader.
E.E. Discussing female foeticide as a human rightsDiscussing female foeticide as a human rights
and development issue not as a woman’s issueand development issue not as a woman’s issue
at various platformsat various platforms like public meetings,like public meetings,
committee meetings and party meetings.committee meetings and party meetings.
Making use of the feedback received duringMaking use of the feedback received during
such meetings in the process of policysuch meetings in the process of policy
formulation and programme developmentformulation and programme development ..
F.F. Facilitating increased cooperation betweenFacilitating increased cooperation between
governments and voluntary organizations togovernments and voluntary organizations to
remove the practice of pre-selection and pre-remove the practice of pre-selection and pre-
elimination of females.elimination of females.
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