This study aimed to understand awareness and perceptions of gender discrimination and sex determination among 317 married women in rural Bareilly, India. The participants were interviewed using a multistage random sampling methodology. Key observations included the women's awareness of sex determination issues, their perceptions of females, and the association between education/literacy and awareness of anti-sex determination laws and preference for sons. The study concluded that increasing women's status through education and awareness of legal rules, as well as strictly enforcing anti-sex determination laws, is needed to overcome son preference in India.

1. Awareness and Perception regarding Gender Discrimination and Sex Determination among Married Women in Rural Areas of District BareillyShaliniSrivastav Shalini Srivastav, V.P Shrotriya SRMS –IMS Bareilly

2. IntroductionDeclining sex ratio is an issue of grave concern in India. A preference for boys cuts across caste and class lines and results in discrimination against girls even before they are born. With the technological advancement in medical diagnosis the sufferings of female gender is extended from womb to tomb and the discrimination begins even before her birth.

6. Objective To study the awareness and perceptions of rural women regarding sex determination and gender discrimination. Material and MethodsStudy Design: Cross-Sectional Study

7. Study Duration: Oct. 2009 – Feb. 2010

8. Setting:The present study was conducted in rural catchment area of SRMS-IMS Bareilly.Material and MethodsParticipants: : Multistage random sampling was used and 317 rural married women in reproductive age group were interviewed.Methodology : A) Sources of basic data: Door to door visitsB) Types of Data and Method: Participant’s Interview

9. OBSERVATIONS

10. Awareness regarding Issues of Sex -Determination

11. Perception of Females regarding Issues of Sex - Determination

12. Association between Education and Awareness regarding PNDT-Act

13. Association between Literacy status and Preference for male child

14. CONCLUSIONSThe Study emphasizes that India has yet a long way to go in her fight against preference of son.

15. The situation calls for two pronged strategy one to increase the status of women in society by making them literate and increasing their awareness regarding legal rules and regulations and other way is to ensure effective implementation of the PNDT Act.