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Cherishing the Girl Childl |
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PFI
Advocacy Campaign Against
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Cherishing the Girl Child
Advocacy Campaign Against
Sex Selection and
Pre-birth Elimination of Females
Population Foundation of India
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Population Foundation of India, 2008
Prepared by:
Ms. Sandhya Gautam
Ms. Reema Bhatia
Contributors:
Mr. A.R. Nanda
Dr. Kumudha Aruldas
Ms. Sona Sharma
Ms. Chandni Malik
Cover page design and layout:
Ms. Sona Sharma
Printed by: Print World 9810185402, 9953041490
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Acknowledgements
Population Foundation of India would like to acknowledge the contribution of
various organizations and individuals who have played a significant role in the
advocacy campaign on “Missing Girls” in the states of Haryana, Punjab and
Himachal Pradesh.
First and foremost, we wish to thank our partners - Voluntary Health Association
of Punjab and SUTRA, as well as their teams and partners for their enthusiastic
work at the grassroots level.
This project would not have been possible without the guidance and financial
support from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
We would also like to thank UNFPA for their wholehearted support to the project
and to the cause of missing girls.
We wish to acknowledge the contribution of the field evaluators and writers of
this publication, who worked very hard to capture the processes and outcomes
of the project on paper.
Last but not the least, PFI and the field evaluators would like to thank people at
the grass roots- women in the villages, Anganwadi workers, ANMs, NGO
volunteers and all government officials and doctors who despite their busy
schedules took time out to talk to the evaluation team and helped them assess
the project.
Sona Sharma
Chandni Malik
Population Foundation of India
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Foreword
A fundamental change which has occurred in recent times in conceptualizing and
implementing population policies and programmes is to ensure that these
policies and programmes address the root cause of high fertility such as
persistent gender disparities in access to education, food & nutrition, health,
employment and other productive resources. Therefore, the focus of Population
Foundation of India is to reduce the gender disparity and gender gap.
One of the cruelest forms of gender disparity is the phenomenon of sex selection
and pre-birth elimination of females (PBEF)/ female foeticide. The theme of
'Missing Girls' represents the foremost concerns of population and development
issue, namely, declining child sex ratio, sex selection and
sex selective abortion (female foeticide/ PBEF)
The declining female sex ratio has been a matter of concern for several years but
it is the 1991 and 2001 census that set the alarm bells ringing when the data
clearly showed that in several parts of the country especially in the age group 0-6
years is unacceptably low. The data showed alarming decline in
some states and districts.
In 2003, PFI with the help of Plan International, India initiated state-level
advocacy with various stakeholders like legislators, corporates and media on the
issue of 'Sex Selection and Pre-Birth Elimination of Females' in eleven states
namely Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Gujarat, Haryana,
Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. To have a
meaningful impact, it was realized that it was essential to take advocacy activities
down to district and sub district levels, to widen the stakeholders at these levels
and add new initiatives to the campaign.
In 2004, PFI in association with MOHFW/UNFPA under the Country Program 6,
launched an advocacy campaign at the district and block levels in seven states.
This was followed by focused interventions in three states, namely Haryana,
Himachal Pradesh and Punjab with the intention to move beyond advocacy to
action at the community level. The interventions in these states continued from
2005 to 2008.
This document is a qualitative assessment by external consultants which also
captures processes and efforts of PFI and the state level partners SUTRA and the
Voluntary Health Association of Punjab, under the CP6 project. Case studies
documented herein reveal that while change has been initiated, sustained efforts
are essential for long term impact.
We hope the document will be useful for policy makers and program managers
interested in working on the issue of missing girls.
A R Nanda
Executive Director
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Background
The Population Foundation of India (PFI) identified the issue of sex selection and pre-
birth elimination of females as one of the priority areas for advocacy. PFI has been
implementing an advocacy project on the issue of “Missing Girls” in selected districts of
Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh since 2004 as a part of the 'National Advocacy
and Communication Project', under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,
Government of India / United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) assisted Country
Program 6 (CP-6). The Country Programme 6 (CP-6), drew its philosophy from the
goals and programme of action of the ICPD, and the National Population Policy (NPP)
2000. The goal of CP-6 has been to support the national goal of population stabilization
and improve quality of life, working towards the elimination of human poverty and
inequalities and sustainable human development.
It was with the release of the 2001 census data that most civil society groups including
PFI, intensified efforts to highlight the enormity of the problem of missing girls. The
Census 2001 data reveals that the number of girls per 1,000 boys in the 0-6 years age
group, dropped from 945 to 927 between 1991 and 2001(Table 1). In Punjab, Haryana,
the 0-6 years sex ratio declined to less than 900 girls per 1,000 boys; in certain districts,
the ratio is even below 800 girls per 1,000 boys (Table 1 A).
TABLE 1 SEX RATIO IN SELECT STATES
S TATE /CENS US YEAR
INDIA
HIMACHAL PRADES H
HARYANA
PUNJAB
ALL AGES
CHILDREN 0-6 YEARS OF AGE
1981 1991 2001 1981 1991
2001
935 927 933 971 945
927
973 976 970 971 951
897
870 865 861 902 879
820
879 882 874 908 875
793
Source: Census of India various years
A declining sex ratio is only the conclusion of a long drawn out matrix of social and cultural
interactions. With the introduction of the New Reproductive Technologies (NRT), the
problem of female deficit has taken a new turn. The most popular and common amongst
these is the ultrasound. Medical sonography (ultrasonography) is an ultrasound-based
diagnostic medical imaging technique that is used to visualize the internal structure of the
human body - muscles, tendons, and many internal organs, their size, structure and any
pathological growth.
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TABLE 1 A: 0-6 YEARS SEX RATIO OF DISTRICTS
WITH SEX RATIO LESS THAN 800 (IN ASCENDING ORDER)
STATE/DISTRICT 2001 1991
HARYANA
819 875
KURUKSHETRA 770 868
SONIPAT
783 878
AMBALA
784 888
KAITHAL
789 854
ROHTAK
796 868
PUNJAB
798 875
FATEHGARH SAHIB 766 875
PATIALA
777 869
MANSA
782 873
BATHINDA
785 860
KAPURTHALA 785 879
SANGRUR
786 873
GURDASPUR 789 878
AMRITSAR
790 861
RUPNAGAR
794 885
Source: Compiled by Author from: 'Losing Count: Mapping India's Child Sex Ratio (2006),
Population Foundation of India, New-Delhi
It is also used to examine a fetus during routine and emergency prenatal care. A Sonography
is used routinely in obstetric appointments during pregnancy. The sex determination is only
accurate after twelve weeks of pregnancy. Ultrasound has been used to image the human
body for at least 50 years. It is one of the most widely used diagnostic tools in modern
medicine. The technology is relatively inexpensive and portable.
Obstetric ultrasound can be used to identify many conditions that would be harmful to the
mother and the baby. For this reason many health care professionals consider that the risk of
leaving these conditions undiagnosed is much greater than the very small risk, if any,
associated with undergoing the scan. Prenatal technology is thus widely and easily available.
The use of science and technology is never culture free. Given the deep-rooted son
preference in India, the ultrasound technique came to be used for sex determination of the
fetus. This had an immediate effect on the child sex ratio. In a bid to stem the tide, the
Government of India in 1994 introduced the Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation
and Prevention of Misuse) Act (PNDT Act).
It came into force in January 1996. However, due to the lack of political and social wills the Act
was not implemented strictly and the effect was to be seen in the declining child sex ratio. The
non-implementation of the Act led to the filing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in 2000, in
the Supreme Court. In 2001, the SC directed the Central Government to implement the Act in
the spirit in which it was formulated. With the advent of NRTs the Act was amended in 2003
and was rechristened as Pre Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Technique (Prohibition of
Sex Selection) Act (PCPNDT Act).
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However, given the complex matrix of gender relationships in a patriarchal society in
which the balance of power favors the males; implementation of the Act has been a
challenge.
Son preference coupled with the acceptance of the small family norm has led to the
decline in the child sex ratio. The following data in Table 2 supports the claim
Table 2
ACCEPTANCE OF SMALL FAMILY NORM (2 CHILDREN) IN RURAL INDIA
STATE
INDIA
HIMACHAL PRADESH
PUNJAB
HARYANA
MOTHERS WITH 2
SONS WANTING NO
MORE CHILDREN
MOTHERS WITH 1
SON & 1 DAUGHTER
WANTING NO MORE
CHILDREN
MOTHERS WITH 2
DAUGHTERS
WANTING NO
MORE CHILDREN
88.60%
99.50%
97.90%
97.70%
85.30%
99.40%
95.10%
91.40%
54.40%
62.00%
31.60%
17.90%
SOURCE: NFHS 3 DATA PUBLISHED IN Bose, Ashish., and Mithu Adhikari. 2007 & 2008. “Health Status
Of The Districts Of India: Mapping and Analysis of Health Infrastructure and Performance”, Health for the
Millions, Oct-Nov & Dec-Jan.: 5-92.
A look at Table 2 shows that the small family norm has been accepted by as many as
88.6% people in India Among mothers with 2 sons. Only 54.40% people in India, with
two daughters want no more children. The percentage of people satisfied with two
daughters in Punjab is as low as 31.60%; 17.90% in Haryana and 62% in Himachal
Pradesh. A limited family size coupled with the desire for a son has led to a decline in the
number of daughters being born i.e. a fall in the child sex ratio, as seen in Table 1 and 3.
TABLE 3 PERCENT DEFICITS OF GIRLS
DEFICIT OF WOMEN IN
TOTAL POPULATION (%)
S TATE /CENS US YEAR
1981
INDIA
3.4
HIMACHAL PRADES H
1.4
HARYANA
6.9
PUNJAB
6.5
1991
3.8
1.2
7.2
6.3
Source: Derived from table 1
2001
3.5
1.5
7.5
6.7
DEFICIT OF GIRLS IN
0-6 years POPULATION (%)
1981
1991 2001
1.9
2.8
3.8
1.5
2.5
5.5
5.2
6.4
9.9
4.8
6.7 11.6
Table 3 shows that the deficit of girls has increased from about 6.9% in 1981 to almost
10% in Haryana and 12% in Punjab. In Himachal Pradesh, the deficit has increased from
1.4% in 1981 to 5.5% in 2001.
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The decrease in girls coupled with a desire to have a son (almost 95-99% are satisfied when
they have two sons or at least one son in all the three states and non-satisfaction with only girl
children Table 2) has had disastrous consequences for the country as a whole.
Advocating For Missing Girls - Initial Efforts
In 2003, PFI initiated state level advocacy with the help of Plan International India on the issue
of sex selection and pre birth
elimination of females. The
strategic approach was to focus in
those areas where 0-6 sex ratio is
lowest, to advocate the positive
value of girl child and appropriately
interlink the issue of sex selective
abortion with human rights. The
project was launched in 11 states in
phases, beginning with Rajasthan
and Orissa in 2003. Seven more
states viz. Gujarat, Haryana,
Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Punjab, Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh were added under the campaign in the year 2004.
The states of Delhi and Andhra Pradesh were added in the last phase in 2005.
The project was initiated with state level advocacy interventions with key stakeholders like
policy makers, Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), corporate sector, media (print
and electronic), medical professionals (doctors) and school teachers. Subsequently,
community level interventions were taken up. The gamut of activities comprised screening of
films, road shows, street theatre, creative writing and poster making competitions and use of
IEC material. Two docudramas namely 'Simta Kanya Ka Astitva' (the declining identity of the
girl child) and the other on birth registration titled 'Nanhi Si Jaan Ki Pehli Pehchan' (the first
identity of the little one) were made and were subsequently screened on Doordarshan. These
have been translated in five regional languages including Punjabi. A website
www.femalefoeticide.org was launched. At end of the project it was realized that a
meaningful impact was only possible if advocacy activities were taken down to the district and
sub-district level.
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From Advocacy to Action
A strong recommendation that came in from most states as a result of the initial advocacy
efforts, was the need to continue advocacy efforts at the state level and to move beyond to
action at the district and levels below. In light of this, PFI launched the 'National Advocacy
and Communication Project' under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,
Government of India / United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) assisted CP-6' in 2004. A
Core Group was formed to guide the project interventions. Priority areas for advocacy as
identified by the Core Group were the issues of missing girls, quality of care in reproductive
health services and law, policy and rights. The project was implemented in four phases of
around a year each.
Overall objectives under the 'Missing Girls' component were to:
• Understand and document the specific formal and informal social, cultural,
economic and political processes, institutions and agencies, which
systematically shape gender relations and influence the adverse female sex
ratio.
• Generate awareness on the issue of 'Missing Girls' and the PCPNDTAct
• Garner community support for the issue
• Enhance capacities of stakeholders such as health workers, panchayat
members and community groups for effective implementation of PCPNDT
• Build media support to act as pressure group
2004-05
The focus of the first phase of the advocacy campaign was to look at the problem of pre
birth elimination of girls in the
larger context of sex selection and
reproductive health. The
campaign focused on generating
awareness on the issue and on
highlighting the problems that a
society as a whole would
face if girls went missing at such a
rapid pace. The related social
issues that lead to the practice of
sex selective abortions in the first
place were also considered. PFI
tied up with state level NGOs to carry out advocacy activities in seven states.
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The NGO partners identified were:
· Himachal Pradesh SUTRA (Social Uplift Through Rural Action)
· Maharashtra CEHAT (Centre for Enquiry into Health and Allied Themes)
· Delhi CWDS (Centre for Women's Development Studies);
· Punjab VHAP (Voluntary Health Association of Punjab)
· Haryana FPAI (Family Planning Association of India)
· Rajasthan PRAYAS
· Gujarat CHETNA (Centre for Health, Education, Training and Nutrition Awareness)
Activities in the Seven States:
Sensitization and training workshops with frontline health workers, PRI members, Mahila
Mandals, Self Help Groups (SHG) were conducted on various aspects of the PCPNDT Act
and MTP Act, reproductive rights and its relationship with sex selective abortions. Training
was also given to strategize, develop and implement grassroots level campaign involving the
community. Community outreach programs were undertaken to reach out to the maximum
number of people with messages on the girl child. Meetings and advocacy initiatives were
undertaken at the village level through the networking NGOs. Group discussions and one-
to-one sessions with newly married couples, to sensitize them on the value of girl child were
also organized.
Student-Teacher Community and Youth
Adolescents/Youth were an integral part of the campaign. Youth were actively involved in the
campaign through various related activities like rallies, poster and slogan competitions,
nukkad natak, debates, exhibitions, dance shows on the issues. Training and sensitization
workshops were held with teachers with an aim to integrate the issue of missing girls and
value of girl child within the syllabus. Rallies too were organized.
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Medical Professionals
It was felt that the support of the medical fraternity was very important for the success of the
campaign. Several workshops and one-to-one meetings were held with influential doctors,
radiologists through their associations. Efforts were undertaken to integrate initiatives
undertaken by medical associations like FOGSI and IMA with the campaign.
Media
A specific strategy was developed to sensitize media on the issue. Workshops were held with
journalists from leading national and state level media houses on the issue of missing girls.
Regular media briefings on the new developments, research, events were part of the
campaign. Regional media was capacitated on the issues through training programs.
Celebrity interviews of Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt on the value of girl child were organized
on Radio Mirchi, Sahara TV and local channels in Mumbai. Special programs were organized
to mark the World Population Day, World Girl Child Day on the theme of missing girls where
local political representatives, cine celebrities and Senior Government Officials of the
concerned departments were involved. The campaign was widely covered by the media.
2005-06
In this phase the focus was on advocacy at the district level. The main objective of this
campaign was to document the factors that contribute to the 'masculinisation' of the sex ratio
in the select districts of the two Indian states, namely, Haryana and Punjab. More specifically,
the project in its initial phase sought to understand the formal and informal social, cultural,
economic and political processes, institutions and agencies, which systematically shape
gender relations and influence the adverse female sex ratio. The state level partner identified
was Voluntary Health Association of Punjab (VHAP). Within the two states, two districts with
the worst sex ratio in each of the state were selected.
States :
Districts:
Punjab & Haryana
Punjab : Fatehgarh Sahib & Patiala
Haryana : Kurukshetra & Ambala
TABLE 4- SEX RATIO 0-6 YEARS
STATE/DISTRICT
PUNJAB
FATEHGARH SAHIB
PATIALA
HARYANA
AM BALA
KURUKSHETRA
1991 2001
875 798
875 766
869 777
879 819
888 784
868 770
Source: 'Losing Count: Mapping India's Child Sex Ratio (2006),
Population Foundation of India, New-Delhi
DEFICIT
77
109
92
60
104
98
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Table 4 shows that the decline in the 0-6 years sex ratio has been as high 92 points in
Patiala and 104 points in Ambala and 98 points in Kurukshetra. The fall in sex ratio in
Fatehgarh Sahib District is an alarming 109 points and it has the lowest child sex ratio
in the country. Given such a drastic fall in the sex ratio in these districts, PFI launched
the campaign in these districts.
The approach adopted was to address the issue in a holistic manner, and promote the
value of a 'girl child'.
Advocacy activities in the communities covered twenty-eight villages in Fatehgarh Sahib
district. Villages were clubbed under a cluster of four to five for each workshop and 28
nukad nataks were conducted. However, during the campaign, it was felt that there was a
greater need to discuss, advocate and educate the direct authorities about the PCPNDT
Act.
Hence, during this campaign the focus was to reach out to all the stakeholders, including
State Health Departments, District Commissioners, Members of the Legislative Assembly
(MLAs), District and Block level officials, Sarpanches and Panches, Anganwadi Workers
(AWW), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), Istri Sehat Sabhas, Mahila Mandals,
Panchayats, Midwives and the community in general.
The main thrust was on strategising the advocacy campaign in such a way that the
advocacy is translated into action through various quarters including district authorities,
multi-purpose health workers, anganwadi workers, grassroots community based
organisations and the community at large.
2006-07
PFI continued its intensive advocacy initiatives in the states of Punjab and Haryana and
included Himachal Pradesh in the new phase. The main approach was to transform
'Advocacy into Action'.
The campaign was carried forward in the two states of Punjab (Fatehgarh Sahib and
Patiala) and Haryana (Ambala and Kurukshetra). The two districts identified for Himachal
Pradesh were Solan and Sirmaur. Table 5 shows that the sex ratio in Himachal Pradesh
has dropped by 55 points and by 51 and 39 points in the two districts respectively.
TABLE 5 - SEX RATIO 0-6 YEARS
IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
STATE/DISTRICT
HIMACHAL PRADESH
SOLAN
SIRMAUR
1991 2001 DEFICIT
951 896
55
951 900
51
973 934
39
Source: 'Losing Count: Mapping India's Child Sex Ratio (2006),
Population Foundation of India, New-Delhi
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As part of the strategy, ten villages from each district of Punjab and Haryana and 24 Gram
Panchayats of the two selected districts of Himachal Pradesh were selected for the micro
level advocacy interventions.
The NGO partner identified for Himachal Pradesh was SUTRA (Social Uplift Through Rural
Action) and the partner for Haryana and Punjab continued to be VHAP (Voluntary health
Association of Punjab).
Methodology and Activities:
Based on the work done on this project since 2004, a stakeholders' mapping exercise was
done to bring all the like-minded people on to one platform. Stakeholders identified for the
campaign were elected representatives, media professionals, student-teacher community,
media, PRI members, frontline health workers, community groups and community perse.
Stakeholder specific advocacy activities were organized like workshops, seminars,
meetings, and rallies, various competitions at school levels, mass media and community
level activities at the state, district and village levels.
Punjab and Haryana
Forty villages were identified in all the four project districts (10 villages per district). The
identification of the villages was done on the following parameters:
a) CSR data Census 2001
b) Previous interventions and experience of working in these villages
c) Strong NGO network
d) Above 500 population.
Himachal Pradesh:
24 Gram Panchayats representing
the villages having the worst child
sex ratio were identified in the two
project districts and sensitization
workshops with PRI members were
organized to appraise them about
the ground realities of their villages.
Regular meetings with the PRI
members were organized to keep
the issue in the forefront of the PRI
activities. Efforts were made to motivate PRIs to declare every village 'Kanya Bhroon Hatya
Nished Gaon'.
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Key interventions undertaken in this phase were:
a) Punjab and Haryana
? Formation of community groups in selected 40 villages to advocate the value of girl
child, register pregnancies, ensure antenatal check ups and undertake village level
advocacy. The focus was to undertake capacity building exercises with them so that
they can act as change agents. The groups were called Beti Sneh Samoohs (BSS) in
the two states.
? Identification of community leaders and capacity building to enable them to act as
change agent.
? Interlinking of state level advocacy outcomes with community level action, bridge the
gap between the provider and client, and provide a single platform for joint efforts.
b) Himachal Pradesh
? Involvement of the Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members and sensitizing them to
incorporate the issue of missing girls in their work agenda. Motivation of Gram
Panchayats to declare every village 'Kanya Bhroon Hatya Nished Gaon'.
? Formation of community groups in villages and undertaking capacity-building
exercises with them so that they can act as change agents. They were encouraged to
work towards registering pregnancies, ensuring antenatal check ups and undertaking
village level advocacy. The community groups were called Kanya Bachao Samoohs
(KBS) in this state.
IEC materials were developed and distributed in all three states to educate the
communities on the PCPNDT Act and promote the value of a girl child. In addition to
the above activities, PFI also organized interstate consultative meetings in the three
states.
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Inter State Consultation Meetings:
Cross border and inter district practice of sex selective abortions was a major hurdle identified
during the course of these interventions.
To address this hurdle and to encourage convergence of efforts both within the state and
between bordering states, PFI along with state level partners the Voluntary Health
Association of Punjab (VHAP) and SUTRA organized a series of consultative meetings of
senior Government Officials of the concerned departments the three states as well as
Chandigarh UT. This effort was the first of its kind.
The meetings were attended by senior officials from Department of Women and Child, Youth
Affairs, Panchayati Raj and Health and Family Welfare. Presentations were made by
concerned departments of the three states on various initiatives undertaken by them on the
girl child issue. PFI and its partner organizations in the three states VHAP and SUTRA also
made detailed presentations on the campaign.
The main agenda of the meetings was to share the experience of the various departments
and to develop a joint strategy to tackle the cross-border issue. The meetings also threw light
on the possibilities of integrating individual efforts of the government and the civil society.
The last interstate dissemination and planning consultative meet was organized in June
2007. In the meeting, campaign activities were documented and the findings and outcomes in
the previous two years were shared with the respective State Governments of the project
states as well as with civil society.
Some issues that were highlighted and identified as areas for future intervention were:
? Legal Advocacy: Since the implementation of the PCPNDT Act, there are very few
cases that have received judgment. Based on this fact, it was thought that advocacy at
magistrate level, public prosecutor level is important.
? Sensitization and capacity building of frontline health workers: The frontline
health workers are the first contact of any newly married couple at the village level.
Sensitization and capacity building of these workers will have a greater impact on the
issue. Secondly, sensitization and capacity building of the trained dais facilitating
abortions can also help in preventing sex selective abortions. Developing the
understanding of frontline workers to interpret the data collected and its analysis so
that appropriate actions can be planned at the local level.
? Advocacy with the District Collectors (DCs): In the wake of new changes in the
PCPNDT rules, advocacy with the DCs is a felt need. Centre should ask States to take
up empowerment exercise on PCPNDT with the DCs.
? Mainstreaming the issue of declining girl child in the routine review meetings at district
/ block levels.
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? Advocacy with PRIs: Advocacy with PRIs should be done in more sustained matter.
PRIs should be sensitized to take up the issue of girl child in their day-to-day agenda
and declare every village 'Kanya Bhroon Hatya Nished Gaon'. PRIs should be given
the power to impose fine for PCPNDT Act violation.
2007-2008
In the final phase, in 2007-08, PFI continued its intensive advocacy initiatives on the issues of
'Missing Girls' in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. The activities were
intensified and the geographical area was expanded.
The number of villages and Gram Panchayats (GPs) were scaled up and new stakeholders
included. In Punjab and Haryana 10 new adjoining villages were added in each district and 26
new GPs were added in Himachal Pradesh. Thereby increasing the total number of villages
from 40 to 80 and 24 GPs to 50 GPs.
The geographical area covered is as follows:
? Punjab
Fatehgarh Sahib and Patiala (40 villages across 3 GPs)
? Haryana
Ambala and Kurukshetra (40 Villages across 3 GPs)
? Himachal Pradesh Solan and Sirmaur (24 GPs covered in Phase II (2006-07) and
26 new GPs were included in 2007-08.
Activities recommended during the last consultative meeting formed the basis for additional
activities in this phase.
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Conclusion and Over View of the Four Year Activities/ Campaign
The campaign primarily included participatory methods and techniques. These included
open discussions, small group discussions, group exercise, and cobweb analysis. Through
these methods, the community got an opportunity to freely discuss their issues and put
forward their experiences and views on a participatory basis.
The main objective was information dissemination at all levels of the civil society to raise
awareness to create a concern for the gravity of the situation and social consequences of the
skewed child sex ratio.
The main thrust of the campaign has been on strategising the message in such a way that
advocacy is translated into immediate action. This involved liaisoning, networking with the
appropriate district and block level authorities, along with grassroots implementers including
Mahila Mandals, Istri Sehat Sabha, ANMs, and AWW.
In Phase I of the campaign, state authorities and community were involved. The focus was on
advocating the issue of the girl child.
During the campaign, there was a special focus on Sarpanches and Panches because of
their influence and catalytic role in the village in matters of decision-making.
Formation of BSS in Haryana and Punjab and KBS in Himachal Pradesh was a major
achievement. It has been observed that members of such groups play an important role in
influencing the opinions and decisions of women in
the village and making them aware about the
consequences of the declining child sex ratio. They
could also act as a pressure group within the village
in checking the menace.
ANMs, Anganwadi and the multi-purpose health
workers play a crucial role concerning women's
health, especially the reproductive health of the
women at the village level. The campaign focussed
on involving them in the issue of the declining child sex ratio. They were also members of the
BSS and KBS.
Efforts were also made to sensitise the print, radio & television media. The media is an
influential and far-reaching stakeholder. Not only is it a powerful medium of communication
and awareness generation, but it is also a key behaviour change medium as it can influence
people's opinions. Journalists can stimulate public debates.
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Some innovative efforts made by the partners under the project were:
? Observing the World Population Day on 11 July: District level activities including
rallies, door-to-door campaign and group meetings were organised to mark the day.
? Observing the Independence Day on 15 August on
right of girl to be born: In all four districts of Punjab and
Haryana, functions were held in schools with
adolescents with special focus on schools and non-
school children.
? Lohri, a festival that traditionally gave importance to
sons born in the year, was also celebrated for the girl
The prize-winning poster in a painting
child in Punjab and Haryana. Special gifts were competition organized by VHAP
distributed and the value of a girl child was stressed.
? Painting competitions were organized in schools on the issue, which helped in
highlighting the consequences not just to the students but also to teachers and
parents.
? Youth fairs were organized at the district level with the involvement of NYK where-in
the youth were sensitized to the issues related to child sex ratio and their implications.
Some immediate visible outcomes in the intervention area were:
? An increase in awareness levels on the issue of missing girls.
? Frontline health workers, PRI members, NGOs and other civil society trained and
sensitized to formulate and implement initiatives on girl child at the village level.
? Female foeticide and its related issues being constantly watched and covered by the
media. The issue received wide scale recognition due to celebrity endorsement
and media coverage.
? The local community groups the BSS and KBS were effective in raising awareness
levels on the issue in many places and in several instances, resulted in the community
itself stalling cases of sex determination and pre-birth elimination of females.
? Active involvement of youth generated more awareness in their community.
Some challenges faced and identified during the campaign period were:
? Sustainability has been one of major challenges of the campaign. There was a
demand for sustaining the campaign for more years to make a visible impact on the
community.
? Low participation of males to discuss the issues in the open forum.
? Low participation of the teachers due to pressure of completing the syllabus in time.
? Negligible convergence of the initiatives undertaken by various concerned
government departments.
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? Awareness workshops on the PCPNDT Act for Sarpanches, Panches, ANMs, and
Health Workers in the presence of District Commissioner, Director Health Services
and Nodal Officer on health were also organised. This was done to enhance their
capacities as a pressure group in proper implementation of PCPNDT Act.
? The interstate meets were another unique effort by PFI to tackle the issue of the
declining sex ratio. The meetings of the officials of different departments within the
same state and of the different states and that of the NGOs highlighted many
challenges and the efforts made by each state.
A Kanya Bachao Samiti in Himachal Pradesh
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Process. Function and Impact of Community Support
Groups Formed at Village Levels
In order to initiate the advocacy program, community support groups were formed at the
village level. The formation of the groups was facilitated through the partner NGOs in all the
three states. The groups were Beti Sneh Samoohs (BSS) in Punjab and Haryana and Kanya
Bachao Samitis (KBS) in Himachal Pradesh.
The aim of the groups was to generate awareness on the issue of the declining sex ratio,
practice of sex selective abortions and to promote the positive value of the girl child. The
groups comprises of the volunteer
from the NGOs involved, community
members, Anganwadi workers,
ASHA, ANMs, women Panchayat
members and ward members as well.
The focus of the groups has been to
hold meetings at regular intervals and
to act as a support group for women in
need. The discussions of the groups
focus on creating awareness on the
problem of female foeticide, its
implications on the mother's health
and on society in general. The discussions also focus on the steps being taken by the
government to stop the practice of Sex Selective Abortions (SSA) - the punishments and the
penalties levied on the concerned parties.
The formation of these groups has had an impact of creating awareness about the PCPNDT
Act in all the three states. People are aware of the punishments meted out in case of violations
of the Act. People are also encouraged to report centers where ultrasound tests are carried
out. Discussions are also held on the various social problems like drug addiction amongst the
male youth, unemployment, increasing insecurity of women, involvement of women outside
the homesteads, immunization of children and pregnant women, right nutritional practices
and so on. The groups are acquainted with the various government welfare schemes for the
benefit of the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families and the girl child. The meetings also
extensively use the advocacy material like posters, handbills and booklets made by the
NGOs.
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The following section examines the impact of the advocacy program on the community
through case studies.
In all the three states, the community support groups are formed at the village level and at the
ward level. The KBS in Himachal Pradesh have taken the issue on the agenda of the
Panchayat and for the Gram Sabah. They organized rallies for mass awareness and shouted
slogans in front of suspected clinics and nursing homes. In each Panchayat, they also
displayed the Sex Ratio data on a board outside of Panchayat Bhawan, which attracts
everybody's attention.
CHILD SEX RATIO AT BIRTH BOARD IN VILLAGE GOYLA, HP
The Community Support Group members in all three states were appreciative of the
meetings organized by the NGOs at different levels- the village, ward and district levels. As a
part of rapport building, the meetings do not just focus on the issue of the declining sex ratio
but also on the other problems faced. They felt that such forums created a space for them to
participate and discuss various social issues like
The declining child sex ratio and its consequences
o Implications on marriage practices
o Increase in the age of marriage
o Problems in finding brides
o Getting brides from other states
o Increasing insecurity of women
o Adverse effects of repeated abortions on health of mother
Advocacy Material
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Positive value of the girl child
Issue of unemployment of the youth
Various schemes started by the government for their benefit
Mechanisms for availing the schemes
Problems faced in agriculture
Members of the groups shared that they try to meet every month and discuss the issue of
declining girl child sex ratio. They said that at the ward level, it is very easy to list families with
one or two daughters, extend counseling, and support (if required). They were all aware that
sex determination and sex selective abortion is illegal.
One of the participants in these groups shared that she was inspired by the campaign and
stopped family formation after two daughters.
One ward member shared that he has one daughter as first issue and his wife was pregnant a
second time. When they went to the government hospital for an antenatal checkup, the doctor
asked him if he wanted to know the sex of baby but he refused. As the Sarpanch of one village
said, “It is women who should come forward and become strong… in India we worship women
and it is big shame on us if we are not allowing girls to be born…”
A woman ward member in Himachal Pradesh said, 'After attending meetings and trainings
being conducted by SUTRA now
we are well aware of the gravity of
the issue. As the Panchayat is big,
we keep a close eye on our ward
data. In my ward, there are 34 girls
and 32 boys in the age group of 0 to
6 years. We know that it is
necessary to have daughters. In
my ward, one family has two sons
and they are waiting for a girl to be
born. It is a problem prevailing in
'Bare log' (High class people).'
A KBS Meeting in Programs
The Mahila Mandal Pradhan in one village said, “I have two daughters and when I was
pregnant third a time, the ANM advised me to go with her for sex determination test but I
refused strongly and gave birth to my third child who is a girl. It is the rich people who do not
fear from law but poor are afraid of being caught in such situations”.
In one of the meetings, a case of a pregnant woman with six daughters was discussed. She
was initially hiding her pregnancy. When the KBS members became aware of her case they
convinced her not to go for sex determination test but also to adopt Family Planning.
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In another case, a woman who has two daughters and pregnant for third time was being
pressurized by her in laws to go for sex selective abortion as they got tested the sex of fetus
which was female. The KBS met her in laws and tried to convince them not to get the child
aborted and they warned them about the legal consequences. As a result, the woman gave
birth to her third daughter.
Case Study Burma Papri Panchayat, district Solan
Burma Papri Panchayat in district Sirmaur is on the border of Himachal and Haryana. From
here District Head Quarter Nahan is about 15 kms away while Haryana border is about eight
kms away. People living in Burma Papri have relatives in Haryana and in majority of cases;
marriages across the border take place. Nearest Haryana towns like Narayangarh,
Raipurrani are places for major market and trade centers for crops (wheat, rice etc.),
vegetables or other agricultural produce.
The village has castes like Koli, Jheever- scheduled castes and Gujjar- Backward class.
Earlier the main occupation of people was primarily cattle rearing and selling of milk and
some of them were agriculturists. However, now the majority of the population is in
government jobs.
.
SUTRA started working in this Panchayat and reactivated the Mahila Mandal, which had
been passive for about 25 years. Simultaneously, they also formed the KBS. Now there is
also a self-help group that is involved in micro credit. Meetings of the SHGs/ MMs are being
facilitated by SUTRA worker in where issues related to women and development are being
discussed.
It was observed by the SUTRA team that despite rigorous efforts, the child sex ratio continued
to fall. During the Mahila Mandal meetings, it emerged that couples were going for sex
determination tests to neighboring towns in Haryana. The team also discovered that the
Panchayat was not ready to be involved in the problem. With sustained efforts, SUTRA
developed one to one contacts with the Panchayat members and helped them understand
the implications of the falling sex ratio. Some of the members of Panchayat also participated
in the training conducted by SUTRA under the 'Missing Girl Child' campaign.
One of the Panchayat members said, “After participating in the training at SUTRA, our
understanding on social issues increased. Earlier we
used to think that Panchayat's role is only in
construction work, paving paths or resolving conflicts
and we have nothing to do in problems like declining
girl child sex ratio. During the training and meetings,
we were helped to understand the birth registration
data of our Panchayat as well of the state and National
level. Now we realized that it is the main role and
responsibility of Gram Panchayat to address those
issues which adversely affect people's lives.”
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When Gram Panchayat members got motivated, they started
discussing the problem at various levels. The Panchayat Pradhan
without naming anybody said, “We know the middle person who
pursues couples/ families for sex determination tests and then sex
selective abortions. This is a warning that either all these acts are to
be stopped or the Panchayat shall take strict action.” It created a
sense of fear within the community and indirectly for those who
were involved.
After discussing the matter in the Panchayat meetings, it was resolved to display data on Sex
Ratio at Birth outside the Panchayat ghar so that common people can also realize the gravity
of the issue and know the status of their Panchayat in this regard.
A SUTRA field worker said, “The board makes our work easy. After seeing the board young
girls, boys, passer by stop us and ask 'why is this board put up in our Panchayats'. It helped us
to initiate dialogue more strongly and make them realize the seriousness of problem.” She
further said, “After understanding the data, some of them felt a sense of guilt and shame.”
She added, “We motivated the Anganwadi worker, ANM and some other opinion leaders to
help us in this campaign. As a result, the ex -pradhan of Panchayat came forward to discuss
and convince the community on the issue.”
Excited by the success of their efforts, she shared, “Ration Depot holder (PDS) got motivated
to the extent that he used to discuss it whenever there was a gathering at his shop for
purchasing. He used to refer tp the data and held each of the residents of the Panchayat
responsible for this terrible situation. He said, “It is we who have to improve this situation
now.”
A SUTRA worker shared the sex ratio at birth, “For the year 2007, 54 children were born in
Burma Papri Panchayat out of which 31 are girls and 23 are boys and the sex ratio at birth is
1348 girls per 1000 boys. It is relieving especially in the situation when for last few years we
are witnessing sex ratio as low as 771 and 675 for the year 2005 and 2006 respectively”.
She further said, “Though we achieved this success after continuous efforts and it is a
challenge to keep it up, we felt that it becomes easy to address any problem and success is
100% sure when local people, Panchayat and other agencies feel responsible towards the
issue and comes forward to join hand, to resolve the same.”
In Punjab, elections of the Panchayati Raj institutions were declared in February 2008, which
were postponed to May. During this period of February to May, field activities had to be
suspended; this resulted in delayed intervention that adversely affected the process. It took a
fair amount of time for the new Panchayat members to take oath and then to understand their
roles and responsibilities. This delayed the start of the activities at the grass root level.
Activities were further delayed because of the harvesting season in March - April. As the
stakeholders were changed and new areas were added during the project period, which it
somewhere diluted the efforts initiated.
It was felt that the practice of SSA is more rampant amongst the higher class and caste
groups rather than amongst the women belonging to the BPL families. Paradoxically, the
membership of the community support groups in all, three states are limited to women of the
SC castes or the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
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The Anganwadi centre is generally the rallying ground for all meetings. However, the
membership of the Anganwadi over a period of time has become limited to the BPL families
only. Women and children belonging to the Jat families or to the higher-class families do not
frequent the anganwadi. The volunteers are also all generally of the lower caste/ class. Even
if the meetings or rallies are held in the Gurudwaras or temples, the volunteers who gather the
women around are either the AWW or the NGO volunteers. Then in addition, the higher status
group people do not participate. Thus, the participation is limited to women belonging to the
lower caste groups and it becomes very difficult to approach the families of a higher status.
The same is true for all government-organized rallies and programs too. At the village level,
trickledown effect is very less- there is negligible dialogue /convergence between the Health
department and Women & Child department. Both departments depend on the AWW for
addressing the issue. However, the reality is that today anganwadi is being accessed by or
caters to a very limited population in the village. But that population i.e. educated / financially
sound middle class, where actually the problem lies is not in contact of AWW. The following
case studies help us to better understand and appreciate the difference between Himachal
Pradesh and Haryana and Punjab.
The following data from the Anganwadi centers in Haryana and Punjab support the claim that
the deficit of girls is higher in the higher castes as opposed to the SC population
TABLE 5 - PERCENT DEFICIT OF GIRLS (0-6 YEARS) 2001-2006
PUNJAB AND HARYANA
District
0-6 years (2001 to 2006)
GENERAL
SCHEDULED CASTES (SC)
Gap in SR
SC : Gen
Boys Girls Gen SR DEFICIT Boys Girls SC SR DEFICIT
Fatehgar 1923 1003 521
45.1
603 387 642
21.8
121
hsahib
Rajpura 1906 1466 769
13.05
618 490 793
11.5
24
Ambala 2957 1931 653
20.99
1026 946 922
4.05
269
Kuruksh 3373 2539 753
14.09
682 572 839
8.75
86
etra
Source: Voluntary Health Association of Punjab- Data collected from the Anganwadi centers.
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FIGURE 4- SEX RATIO GENERAL & SC (0-6 YEARS)
1000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Fatehgarh
Rajpura
GENERAL
SC
Ambala Kurukshetra
The data on child sex ratio of the four districts in Punjab and Haryana show that the percent
deficit of girls in the general castes is much higher as compared to the SC castes. The deficit
of girls from 2001-2006 in Fatehgarhsahib district is as much as 45% amongst the general
population and a relatively lower 22% in the SC population (Table 5). This goes to prove the
point that there is a need to focus more on the landowning general castes rather than just on
the SC.
The SC Panchayat member of one village in Punjab said, “I have twelve granddaughters and
two grandsons from my sons. I myself have three sons and three daughters. What can one do
with daughters? It is so expensive to marry them off; I wonder how we will ever get my
granddaughters married. In my old age, my sons will look after me. My daughters are
physically unable to live with me since they are married and live with their husbands. Even if
they were to live with me, in my sickness when I am not in my senses I do not want my
daughters to bathe me and clean me. They cannot lift me when I fall from my bed! My sons are
still around to look after me. Even if my daughters are educated and working they are of no
use to me. They would earn for their husband and his family. I think the government should
reward people like us who have so many female children and have obviously not undergone
SSA.” The Panchayat member in this case belonged to a BPL family and was around 60
years old.
In another village in Punjab, the woman Sarpanch of the village had undergone an
ultrasound. She first said that she had 'lost' a child in the third month and then she changed
her story and said that she had not lost any children. She however did admit to having
undergone an ultrasound but she added that this was before the Act came into place. She had
two daughters and when she was pregnant for the third time, she decided to get a 'test' done.
However, she said that this was before the 'kanoon'. Both her mother-in-law and husband
refused to accompany her for the test. Therefore, she then went with her neighbor. They both
caught a bus to a neighboring town and from the bus stand asked a 'rickshaw wallah' for the
'doctors' clinic. The doctor took down all the details and she then got an ultrasound done. It
was a boy so she carried it to full term. Her son is now about 12-13 years old.
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A BSS Meeting in Punjab
In a meeting in district Rajpura in Punjab, three women claimed that they had stopped family
formation after having two daughters. However, a follow up visit revealed that the reason for
the families only going in for daughters was that in all cases they were unable to bear more
children. None of them had adopted any method of family planning and it was just that they
naturally were unable to conceive children. They were all cases of natural infertility. The
desire to have a son is still very strong. It was just that they were unable to conceive. Given the
fact that they had only two daughters and no sons and that, they were members of the
community support groups their case was upheld as an example for all to follow. The issue of
infertility was not highlighted at all. As far as change in mindsets was concerned, that still has
not come about.
In Punjab, during a meeting with a Dai she said, “The ultrasound was introduced by the
government and that they now want to withdraw the 'scheme'. We did not know anything
about such things earlier. The government should have thought about such things earlier.
Then they tell us to have only two children. If we want a boy, why won't we use the machines?
Anyway, the poor cannot afford it. Just look around you and see the number of girls we have.
Only those with land who do such things. Not us poor people.”
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In one of the meetings in Punjab, women read
out the 'Hukumnama'- religious edict issued
by the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak
Committee (SGPC) against the practice of
female foeticide. In the discussion that
followed, they agreed about condemning the
practice of female foeticide. They all agreed
that killing was indeed a sin, as the Sikh Gurus
had preached. However, one woman pointed
out that the times had changed since Gurus,
she further said, “I'd rather kill my daughter
once rather than watch her die everyday. In
A BSS Meeting in a Gurudwara in Punjab
our society, women have no status and they have no security. If you are unable to give your
daughter a dowry then her in-laws and husband ill-treat her. There is violence against her
everyday. I am better off with only sons. To have a daughter is psychologically very draining.
At least without a daughter I can sleep peacefully at night.”
In Haryana, the ex-Sarpanch, for two terms and the husband of present woman Sarpanch,
(who was not present for the meeting), said, “The problem of a declining sex ratio is not of our
Panchayat because it happens in cities only. The village people do not have that much time
and information as well for such things. The Panchayat do not discuss such issues, as it is not
on its agenda. It has other things to do which take up quite a lot of time. I' am not aware if there
is any ultrasound clinic in or near my Panchayat area.” On asking about the sex ratio of their
Panchayat, he said, “The Panchayat does not do birth registration, it is done at the hospital”.
He said, “It's the government which is ultimately responsible for the declining girl child sex
ratio because it is not implementing the act strictly.”
The AWW of the area revealed that there were three ultrasound clinics in Shehzadpur and
one of which was at a distance of less than one kilometer from this Panchayat.
She further added, “All the families with one daughter have necessarily undergone a sex
determination test, at the time of the next pregnancy. Women have no choice but to undergo
the test. If they do not do so then their family, relatives and neighbors accuse them for giving
birth to daughters. The latest technology is also available at the doorstep. In Shehzadpur
alone, there are three ultrasound clinics. I am working as AWW for last 18-19 years and I have
observed that earlier women used to come for registration at the anganwadi within ten to
fifteen days of confirmation of their pregnancy. But nowadays pregnant women come in the
fourth or the fifth month of their pregnancy (probably after confirming the sex of the fetus).”
An old woman on being congratulated on the birth of a granddaughter (she already had one
grandchild, a grandson) retorted, “Ladki ki kya badhai, ek aur ladka ho jata to jodi ban jaati (It's
meaningless to congratulate for a girl. It would have become a pair if a son was born)”
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The Sarpanch of one village shared that, “We had a meeting on the issue of the declining sex
ratio in the Gurudwara. It was highlighted that it is a sin in Sikh Dharam. The issue is a focus of
discussion in the Gurudwara during the after
morning prayers and in the gram Sabah. We also
conducted rallies in the village. People are warned
about the repercussions of going against the law
in this case. We have been closely monitoring the
people for the last two years. There is a positive
change and awareness on the issue is increasing.
Now we have more girls than boys.”
The data for the village Madanpur is as follows
0-6 YEARS 2007
BSS Meeting in Haryana
TOTAL CHILDREN
69
MALE
27
FEMALE
42
SEX RATIO
1556 GIRLS PER 1000 BOYS
Source: Anganwadi center
The BSS members also said that because of the campaign, three young couples, decided
to stop family formation after two daughters and one of them is the son of Sarpanch. They
said, “In villages it is easier to control such things than in cities because even today,
village people have a social pressure and a sense of 'shame'.”
In another meeting in Haryana a woman said, “Instead of paying a fine of Rs. 1 lakh, I'd much
rather spend it on my daughter.” The awareness of the penalties was very strong. Many
women said that they knew about the penalties through television, 'Rath Yatras' in Haryana
and discussions in community groups like the BSS.
However, a change is gradually coming about but sex selective abortions continue to be a
grim reality in the majority of areas. The Dai in one village of Haryana pointed out that though
the cause and the intent of the government was noble, but “who listens to the government”.
She also pointed out that the government had banned the practice of SSA; the desire for a
son was too strong for these practices to be stopped altogether. The practice was now 'ander
khata' or carried out in a clandestine way. The repercussions of this have been very bad for
the poor women. The older unsafe methods of abortion using a pregnancy stick are back in
use. A 'pregnancy stick' is available for as little as Rs. 80. It is inserted in the uterus of pregnant
women for 12-24 hours to induce bleeding this then leads to an abortion. Non - removal of the
stick within 12 hours, it could also lead to the death of a woman as it leads to excessive
bleeding. In some cases homemade sticks used to induce abortions wrapped with cotton are
also used to induce abortions.
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The Dai mentioned at least two such cases, which had taken, place in the past few days. In
fact, she mentioned that one such case had taken place just the night before. The girl in this
case was also unmarried. Thus, there was a lot of secrecy
surrounding the case. The mother of the girl had called
her after a homemade pregnancy stick had already been
inserted in the uterus. On examining the case, she said
that she felt 'scared' for the girl and for herself if the girl did
not survive and she came away. Such cases also go
unreported since the Dais are a part of the community
and for them it is a loss of 'clientele'. Commercially
available abortion pills are also used.
Girls in Haryana on bicycles
returning from school
In a village in Haryana, the Anganwadi worker (AWW) reported the case of an ANM who was
caught by the public when she was found using the same syringe to inject a number of women
and children. In the same village, the infant mortality rate from 2001 to 2008 was 26 as
reported by the VHAP functionary based on the data collected from the Anganwadi worker.
Recent cases of deaths due to immunization could also be one of the reasons for infant
deaths. The mothers of some of the infants who had died said that the child died in the first few
days after being born alive. The reasons were generally linked to the inability to breathe
properly. However, a detailed study is needed to identify the causes of such deaths in detail.
The mother-in-law of one woman who had lost two children reported that at the time of the
third pregnancy she did not take her daughter-in-law for any immunization. In her words,
“Who knows what dirty water they inject into our body? The third time I ensured that no such
dirty water entered her body. For delivery also we did not go to the hospital but went to the Dai
instead.” She now has a granddaughter.
Shilpi, 22 years old unmarried girl working as ASHA said, “When we discuss the importance
of the girl child and welcome the birth of a girl, people ask ' what shall we get ? or 'will you bear
the expenses for my daughter'. Now the government has declared pro- girl child schemes but
due to procedural complexities people get frustrated e. g. there is no fair selection of BPL
families so the actual deserving people do not get benefits” Under the National Rural Health
Mission (NRHM), the physical infrastructure of the sub-centers has improved; however,
availability of services continues to remain a problem.
The sub-centers are generally found locked. The services provided by the ANMs and the
male health workers are very limited. They are just limited to those health programs where
there are targets to be met. This in effect means that the workers very actively pursue only
sterilization targets under the Family Welfare program. Me even though officially there are no
targets under the Community Needs Assessment Scheme unofficial reports suggest there
are still targets that the workers are supposed to meet.
1 Rath Yatras for “Beti Bachao Jagrukta Abhiyan” (Save the Girl Child Awareness Campaign) involve various departments i.e. department of
Women and Child Development, Rural Development, Health department and local NGOs. Religious leaders like Swami Sampurnand,
Brahmkumaries are also sometimes involved in the campaign. The Rath Yatra visits each village of the district. Rally, Street plays, folk songs
etc are organized to generate awareness on importance of girl child. This campaign generally lasts for a month.
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Non- fulfillment of targets leads to the workers being punished- being pulled up in various
meetings at the district or Primary Health Center (PHC) level, pays are withheld or they are
posted to remote areas.
The only way that they can persuade people to undergo sterilizations is if the family is
'complete'. A complete family is one in which there is at least one son. In order to meet the
targets the health workers help the people achieve their desired family. They achieve this by
helping the people get ultrasounds done followed by subsequent abortions. Thus, many of
the ANMs and male workers end up being agents of the ultrasound clinics. Being members of
the same community, they share the same cultural beliefs. They identify with the desire to
have a son. It is unrealistic to expect them to be able to promote families without sons. They
too all aspire to have sons. Thus, they have found a middle path between their cultural and
bureaucratic role expectations.
The stress on target achievement can be gauged from the discussion with the PCPNDT
official of one state. He stated that he had told the workers (ANMs and the Male workers) in
his state that if they helped him catch the
'culprits' i.e. the ultrasound technicians
and the guilty doctors, he would reward
them by reducing their targets. He also
acknowledged that it was very difficult to
monitor the working of the ANMs as their
duties involve touring and they do not sit
in one place. At all levels the health
bureaucracy is aware of the role of the
ANMs and the male workers as agents but due to a lack of proof, they are unable to do
anything.
Discussions with the community groups, doctors and officials in all three states, revealed that
there is a general mistrust of the ANMs. The ANMs in many cases act as agents for
ultrasound clinics and some ANMs conduct abortions by passing them off as D& C (Dilation &
Curettage). D & C is generally carried out as therapeutic gynecological procedure to control
excessive bleeding from the uterine. It is also carried out to terminate pregnancies in the first
12-14 weeks of the pregnancy. The ANMs often use this method for carrying out abortions.
D& Cs are permitted under the MTP Act. The pregnancies of such women are often
misreported and a three-month pregnancy is often passed off as a two-month case.
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The D & C cases are then registered as cases of falls or accidents in which bleeding started
because of which the D &C procedure becomes a medical necessity.
Members of the BSS and KBS, in all three states shared that there is a nexus between private
health service providers and ultrasound clinics. They said that ANMs, the male multipurpose
workers, the dais and now even the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers were all
getting commissions as agents of the ultrasound clinics. However, because of a lack of strong
evidence it is not easy to take action against them. A ward member in Himachal Pradesh
added that the service providers provoke a common person going to the hospital for
checkups to go for sex determination tests.
There are positive cases too. The ASHA worker in one village reported. “After attending the
workshops conducted by VHAP, I listed families with one daughter who had not adopted
family planning. I continuously interacted with them on adverse effects of pre birth elimination
of girl child. I was able to convince three families to not terminate the pregnancy even though
they had detected a female fetus. Now two of them are in their second trimester and one is in
third trimesters. I am regularly in touch with each of them and their families also. It is
important to create an enabling environment to initiate discussion on such issues.”
The desire for a son is so strong that committees like this will not be effective until and unless
the focus shifts towards providing overall security to women. The reasons for not wanting a
daughter are the fear of dowry and continual prostrations to the daughter even after marriage.
There was also this very real fear that after the daughter's marriage the daughter's obligations
are more towards her married family and not towards her natal family.
The Other Stake Holders
The issues that emerged through discussions with doctors, state officials and lawyers were
as follows:
As one of the state officials said, “One cannot run 'Save the Girl Child Program' in the
same manner as 'Jungle Bachao, Ped Lagao' (Plant trees and Save the Forest
Campaign). What we instead need is a community centered action oriented sustained
program.
The PCPNDT Officer of one state further added that the entire project on “Saving the
Girl Child' was being handled in an ad-hoc and piece- meal manner. Due to a shortage
of staff, the existing officers are overworked and overloaded. Typically, the PCPNDT
officer in a state may handle as many as five portfolios. In such a case, it becomes
difficult to focus exclusively on the implementation of the PCPNDT Act.
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The enormity of the problem was such that there was a need for a large number of
officers exclusively dedicated to this project.
Even though there were 98 prosecutions in Punjab but of these 70 were still pending. It
was very difficult to apprehend the culprits Decoys are not wiling to come forward, as
they too are members of the same community. They do not want to go against
members of their village.
The Directors of one of the partner NGOs reported, “The focus so far of the various
government bodies, donor agencies and the civil society has been on the under
privileged class but the problem of the missing girl child is not of the underprivileged
section. The problem actually lies with the higher status groups of society. This section
of society is not dependent on the health department for services as it uses the private
sector. There has to be a shift in focus.”
The regulation of the private sector by the government is not effective. Even though all
the ultrasound machines in the states are supposed to be registered but even then the
private sector has
developed evasive tactics.
As the PCPNDT officer of
one of the states said that
even though we have
registered all the ultrasound
machines there are still
some machines that are not
registered- they could be
mobile machines or hidden
ones. He added, “These
days I have heard that the
veterinary doctors are
buying ultrasound
machines for use on
animals but they are instead being used on human beings. Even though I am not sure if
this is possible.” (Ultrasound machines of a very high quality can be bought allegedly
for use on animals and they can then be used on human beings.)
In Punjab, Panchayats are not ready to participate in the advocacy campaign, even
though 11 Panchayats got an award of Rs. 3 lakhs each for improving their sex ratio.
Their reason is that they already have too many developmental issues to handle within
their villages. Such work is that of the government and beyond the purview of the
Panchayat. The Panchayats in Himachal Pradesh are more proactive and ready to
participate.
The Block Development Officer of Haryana when talking about the involvement of
Panchayats in combating the problem felt, “We have different schemes for the
development of Panchayat. We do not work on the issue of declining sex ratio. As I
know, Ambala is one of the districts with a 'better sex ratio'. The Panchayat has already
a long list of issues on their agenda and another one will increase their burden”.
The SMO of a Primary Health Centre added, “The PNDT Act alone will not help in
doing away with the problem. The focus has to be on the overall development of the
women and the girl child. The practice of SSA has not vanished, instead the whole
practice has 'gone underground'.”
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The Government of India's proposal to appoint the District Collector as the appropriate
authority in the state has created a lot of resentment in almost all the states. Many of
the states including Haryana have turned down the proposal. The feeling was that the
Collector was not a technical (doctor) authority, thus he should not have the right to
deal with doctors and medical issues. The government officials felt that the task of
dealing with fellow doctors should be left to the fraternity of doctors.
The Senior Medical Officer in one of the Primary Health Centre in Punjab pointed out
that the acceptance of the small family norm has also added to the problem of declining
sex ratio. He added that, “The problem is to be found in Indians in the USA and in UK
too. Economic development alone cannot help in overcoming the problem”. He
recommended that the campaign for improving the sex ratio had to be a long drawn out
one. Short tem measures would not be effective.
Doctors and the all the state level officials in all the three states were aware of the
involvement of trained dais and ANMs as agents in the entire practice of ultrasounds
and sex selective abortions. Since there was no concrete proof against them, it was
very difficult to apprehend them.
Another doctor added, “On the one hand we are under pressure for 'Population
Control' and on the other hand there is problem of 'Sex Ratio'!
The Director of one of the partner NGOs said, “We should admit that for a sustained
change community should be helped to relieve from population burden and welcome
the girl child. Are we ready to say that number of children born in not a problem? Our
field experiences show a large number of families with a single male child and that the
health workers are pressurizing them for sterilization.” He added that only after that
could gender justice be ensured. He further added, “Sex Selective Abortion is a form of
discrimination and not violence and how can you allow all other discriminations taking
place protesting only sex selective abortion?” He emphasized that natural sex ratio
cannot be achieved with population control policies. Until 1990, Himachal was classic
case public health system was strong but after that, systematic destruction of public
sector started and private health sector started emerging. He added that we have
health policy but not the health care policy. He emphasized that to avoid having a
catastrophic situation; it is strongly recommended to create an enabling environment.
At all levels the community, Panchayat members, doctors, bureaucrats, state level
officials, ANMs, ASHA workers- were all of the view that the entire practice was women
centered. It was something that women do to women and men are not involved in it at
all. They all gave an impression that it was a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law
phenomenon. The realization that it is a male dominated society and somewhere down
the generations, women are forced to accept masculine values has not dawned on
them. They are powerless in the familial and societal hierarchical setting.
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A doctor in the Civil Surgeon's office pointed out that the spirit of the Act was being
flouted. Doctors and bureaucrats often end up using the Act also as a tool of
harassment for those who are not in a powerful position.
The Director of a partner NGO added that the state should stop harping upon “Male
Child Obsession” and blame people. He emphasized that adverse sex ratio is a
multifaceted problem, which includes population policy, medical technology; private
sector etc so instead of a piecemeal approach one needs an integrated approach. The
attempt should be to focus on overall development of women and on empowering
them. He said that in India the basic family formation is for progeny and in western
countries, it is for companionship. In western countries, patriarchy is there but an
enabling environment has helped to regularize it but in India, we lack an enabling
environment. He concluded that it is not standard of life but the quality of life, which is
needed, and it cannot happen automatically unless planned strategically.
Some of the issues on the involvement of the Panchayats that emerged in a
discussion with a block Development Officer were: A Panchayat is the constitution
body and important unit of
decentralized governance at grass
root level for planning and over all
development. It is unfortunate that
the department responsible for
Panchayati Raj Institutions feels no
role in addressing the issue of
declining sex ratio. Due to
administrative set up Panchayats
held themselves accountable to
Block office and when block itself
lack their understanding on the
issue as well role of Panchayats in it
how can we expect Panchayats to own the issue and address it at their level?
A lawyer who is actively involved in the implementation of the Act pointed out that in
their over enthusiasm many times the state appropriate authorities commit mistakes
like sealing the entire premises, not being able to collect strong evidence and
implementation of the law in a high handed manner. There is a need to have witnesses
from the local area in order to apprehend the culprits. The lawyer quoted a case in
Patiala where the state appropriate authorities apprehended the doctors but could not
convict them because of a lack of local witnesses. In their enthusiasm, the authorities
ended up sealing the entire premises without following the law. The law requires them
to give a notice in writing stating how the premises is harming public interest only then
the entire premises can be sealed. The authorities thus lost the case because of their
highhanded attitude. In face of such weak evidence and the strong and well-
connected lobby of private practitioners, it is very difficult to catch them. The strong
brotherhood of doctors added to the difficulty in apprehending them.
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The lawyer further added that the state authorities apprehend only based on Form F.
They may apprehend a doctor for leaving out an item in the form. The form also
requires them to fill in the number of children, but it is very difficult to crosscheck the
number of children. The implementation of the PCPNDT Act should be in such a way
that it should not impinge on the women's right to abort under the MTP Act.
To assess the impact of the activity, joint discussion meetings were held with the Principal,
schoolteachers and students involved in the activities.
Teachers said that this was a unique effort organized by SUTRA. This was for the first
time when we discussed the problem of missing
girl child and its effects on society. The activity
was conducted in school premises, but other
people also came out of curiosity. Students
presented skits, role-plays, group songs etc.
One of the teacher concluded that “Bhinnata ki
Chingari Bujhi to nahi par kam to hui hei” (The flame of gender based discrimination
has not been extinguished but it ahs at least been reduced.)
Students said that they enjoyed the event very much and first time they realized about
seriousness of the issue otherwise they use to hear about it on television, or wall
writings. They strongly recommended that such kind of programs should be organized
regularly.
Youth meetings in collaboration with the Nehru Yuva Kendra were also organized in
the states of Haryana and Punjab. Participative discussions, skits, plays and many
activities were organized to generate awareness on the problem of the declining sex
ratio, and the problems faced by youth- unemployment, addiction, and insecurity of
women and so on.
The campaign has very successfully managed to generate awareness about the issue of the
declining sex ratio. There is a very high level of awareness amongst the people about the
implications of the declining sex ratio. However, the knowledge is more on the front of
punishments that the government gives to the offenders and wrong doers. Everybody knows
that sex selection is illegal yet the practice continues unabated.
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Conclusion and Recommendations
CONCLUSION
The campaign began with an objective of sensitizing the population on various dimensions
of sex selective abortions. The strategy adopted was a multidimensional one. In the first
phase, it focused on increasing awareness amongst the different sections of the population.
In the subsequent phases, the effort was to turn the advocacy into action. The action plan
focused on involving all sections of society-doctors, bureaucrats, ANMs, Anganwadi workers,
Panchayat members, lawyers, teachers, students, youth and so on.
The project has very successfully managed to close the gap. The project has created
awareness about the PCPNDT Act. The formation of the BSS and KBS was another feather in
PFI's cap. The formation of such groups created a forum for women and other community
members to discuss social issues (that they think are important) and then to work out possible
strategies to overcome these challenges.
In Haryana and Punjab, the cycle of agricultural activities interrupted the project activities by
the NGO and interventions had to be started afresh after the elections. This was a major set
back in the campaign. VHAP has very
successfully organized workshops for the new
Sarpanches in both the districts. The new
Sarpanches in these villages have already begun
taking stock of the situation and evolving possible
strategies. The sustained efforts of all those
involved have managed to surmount the set
backs. The data from Madanpur in Haryana is
one such success story. For the year 2007, the
sex ratio is 1556. The involvement of religious
leaders has had a positive impact on the
community. A daily inclusion of positive
messages in the sermons of the religious leaders has had a positive impact.
In Himachal Pradesh, the involvement of Panchayats has had a positive impact in improving
the sex ratio. The involvement of opinion leaders whether religious or otherwise has had a
positive impact on changing the mindsets of people.
Some of the recommendations by the stakeholders on the campaign are as follows:
Male involvement is must for sustained change. Men have to be involved in the entire
process of change. The problem is not of women alone but of the entire community.
The campaign thus needs to focus on men as well.
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Involvement of the Youth /young people should be an area of focus. Youth club
workshops with the Nehru Yuva Kendra in Haryana and Punjab were organized but
these needs to be more frequent and the follow up activities need to be more actively
pursued.
For a sustained social change, regular efforts are needed instead of short campaigns.
Repeated motivations are essential. To quote the dai of one village, “Motivation is like
going to the loo. You need to do it everyday”. The case of Madanpur in Haryana
reiterates the point.
The government should conduct mid term studies to know the gaps or procedural
problems creating barriers to community in accessing the scheme and defeating the
core objective of scheme so that timely steps can be taken to achieve the goal of
scheme.
Information sharing/ meetings with elderly people to understand the gravity of issue
and importance of girl child (They were of opinion that it's the elder members of family
who pressurize to have to have male child).
Community level meetings should be held regularly and facilitated by NGO worker.
A separate wing is needed for the effective implementation of Act. The work pressure
on the doctors and officers implementing the Act is immense and as a consequence
the PCPNDT related activities are not prioritized.
The efforts of PFI have led to the residence proof being attached with Form F. This has
acted as a deterrent for cases going for ultrasounds.
Gram Panchayats showing improvement in sex ratio should be honored publically.
Schemes like honoring the panchayats with a better sex ratio should be formulated.
Conversely, special campaigns should be launched for Panchayats with the worst sex
ratio.
Sex Ratio at birth should be displayed at public place so that people can know the
status of their Panchayat and to understand the gravity of the situation as is done in
Himachal Pradesh.
Since the overall sex ratio and child sex ratio figures are diverse across districts in the
states of Haryana, Punjab and HP, generalizations in strategies cannot be made.
There needs to be district specific strategies taking into account village and block level
realities.
There is a need for a stronger, continuous and more frequent advocacy at the block,
village and at the state levels. There is also a need for greater coordination across
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various departments such as WCD, Panchayat Raj, Youth and Health.
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Need to follow-up on involvement of religious leaders/groups in building awareness on
the issue.
Challenges Ahead:
Any improvement of the sex ratio has to be based on the premise that the pathways of
influencing the status of women have to be both direct and indirect. It was realized that the
empowering experiences for women have to be supported by all sections of society and not
just by women alone. The experiences have to be such that they change women's perception
of their own self worth and well- being. These experiences then flow back into the societal
structure and presumably will bring about a change in the power relations.
The balance of power relationships would then be more equitable, in which both the sexes
have an equal standing in society. These would then exert a positive influence in which there
is a positive value attached to the girl child. Such changes in turn would effect fertility
behavior and create reproductive preferences in favor of women. In order to create
reproductive preferences in favor of women empowerment has to occur not just in their
personal spheres but also in the community and state. The NFHS 3 data on Household
decision making by females is given in Table 5.
TABLE 5 PERCENT HOUSE HOLD DECISION MAKING BY FEMALES (DM) &
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (DV) -RURAL AREAS
STATE
DM DV
RURAL INDIA
48.5 40.2
HARYANA
52.7 28.8
HIMACHAL PRADESH 50.6 6.4
PUNJAB
49
26.5
SOURCE: NFHS 3 DATA PUBLISHED IN Bose, Ashish, and Mithu Adhikari. 2007 & 2008. “Health Status Of The
Districts Of India: Mapping and Analysis of Health Infrastructure and Performance”, Health for the Millions, Oct-
Nov & Dec-Jan.: 5-92.
.
Only 49% women are involved in decision making in the households. This in effect means that
the males take all decisions including fertility decisions. In addition, given the incidence of
violence within the households it is but evident that the balance of power is in favor of the
males. The process of empowerment of women will remain incomplete unless the efforts are
directed to the males as well. The efforts have to be directed towards both as equal partners.
These efforts have to be multidimensional. In the field, there were many incidences of de-jure
women Sarpanch and Panches, but the de-facto Panches were always males. Thus, the
reservations for women in the Panchayats too have not been effectively implemented. Any
effort has to be a long drawn out and a sustained one. Rallies and campaigns are not enough
and they have to be coupled with long-term strategies for the empowerment of women.
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The state has created many schemes directed specifically at women (See Appendix) and the
underprivileged sections of the community, but there is a gap in implementation of the
schemes. The partner NGOs has fruitfully bridged the gap between the government and the
community. They have been instrumental in ensuring that the community is aware of the
various schemes launched by the government and in that the benefits of the same reach the
beneficiaries.
Overall the project has been successful in mobilsing the community support groups. It has
very successfully generated awareness on the issue of the declining sex ratio- the social
ramifications and the legal aspects. They have effectively created a platform for the
community to meet, discuss and search for solutions to their problems. This is very significant
particularly from the point of view of women who lacked such platforms for discussions and
interactions.
Any success in overcoming the problem of the declining sex ratio has to be a multipronged
and a multi dimensional one. A change has already begun to emerge and focussed integrated
efforts by the civil society and the Government would surely yield positive results.
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Appendices
Government of Himachal Pradesh
Indira Gandhi Balika Suraksha Yojna
Since a decade, Himachal Pradesh is witnessing steep decline in child sex ratio. To address
the issue, Government has launched 'Indira Gandhi Balika Suraksha Yojna' under which
eligible couples will be benefited. Under the scheme, an amount of Rs. 25, 000/- is to be
provided to a couple accepting a terminal method of family planning (Vasectomy or
Tubectomy as the case may be) upon the birth of the first girl child and Rs. 20, 000/- in case of
birth of two girl children. The amount shall be deposited in the name of girl/s which will be
granted at the time of marriage of daughter or when she attains age of marriage.
Panchayat with Best Sex Ratio Award
Panchayat showing Best Sex Ratio shall be awarded an amount of Rs. 5 lac
.
Award to Informer
An amount of Rs. 10, 000/- shall be awarded to the person who give correct information on
sex selective abortion.
Haryana Government Schemes
Government of Haryana took several initiatives to check the declining trend in the sex ratio in
Haryana, which are as follows:
Concession in Registration fee if the land and property is registered in the name of
woman
Concession in electricity bill if the meter is in the name of woman
Reservation for women for recruitment of teachers
Year 2006 was celebrated as “Girl Child Year”.
Details of some other schemes being implemented by state through its various departments
are as follows:
Women & Child Development Department, Haryana has been running the welfare
scheme for Women and Children in the state of Haryana.
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The department is headed by the Director, Women & Child Development at state level and by
Program Officer (ICDS) at the district Level.
The main schemes and services of Women & Child Welfare being run are:
Integrated Child Development Services Scheme.
Apni Beti Apna Dhan
Balika Smaridhhi Yojana
National Maternity Benefit Scheme
In addition to the above, the various level functionaries of Women & Children department
have plays an active role in other national programs like Family Welfare, Small Savings, Vital
Surveys, Census, Economic Census, Social Security measures etc.
Integrated Child Development Services Scheme
The Integrated Child Development Services Scheme was launched in India on 2 October
1975 with the objective to provide all basic essential services to children and mothers in an
integrated manner right in their villages or locality.
Target Group: All Pregnant & Nursing women and Children of age 0-6 years.
Package of services include Supplementary Nutrition, Health Check-up, Referral Services,
Immunization, Nutrition & Health Education and Non-formal Pre-School Education
Apni Beti Apna Dhan
The 'Apni Beti Apna Dhan' was first started in the state Haryana on 2 October 1994 with the
objective to raise the status of a girl child in the society. It attempts to improve the status of
mother in the family who delivers a girl child. Under the scheme the mother is paid Rs. 500/- to
meet out her nutritional requirements and an amount of Rs. 2500/- is invested in IVPs in the
name of the newborn baby. This amount grows to Rs. 25,000 when the girl is 18. This amount
can be used to meet her marriage expenses or higher education expenses. An indirect
benefit of investing this amount for 18 years is that the early marriage attitude is checked to a
considerable extent.
Who can be a beneficiary: All families belonging to SC/BC categories (Except Gazetted
Officer), Families of General Caste category living below poverty line provided the new baby
is third child in the family
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Benefit:
1. Rs. 500/- to the mother within 15 days of birth.
2. IVPs of Rs. 2,500/- in the name of Child within 3 months.
Balika Smariddhi Yojana
The Government of India started this scheme on 15 August 1997 with the objective to raise
the status of a girl child in the family & society. It attempts to improve the status of mother in
the family who delivers a girl child. Under the scheme the mother is paid Rs. 500/- on the birth
of a girl child to meet out her nutritional requirements as a first installment.
Who can be a beneficiary: Families living below poverty line provided the new baby is 2nd girl
child in the family.
Benefit: Rs. 500/- to the mother.
Beside it, The Haryana Women and Child Development Department took several initiatives
in 2007 like constitution of village level committees of women and their convergence with
Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), formation of Sakashar Mahila Samooh (SMS) and facility
of micro-credit for SMS from Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK).
It also launched schemes like construction of Mahila Shakti Sadans, incentive awards for
improvement in sex ratio and educational loans for girls and women for higher education.
In a significant move, the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Program was
decentralized and made community driven.
Village committees
The Government set up 6,157-village level Sub-Committees of women under the overall
supervision of Gram Panchayats to facilitate implementation of programs pertaining to
development of women and children.
In another major initiative, it was decided to dispense with centralized system of procuring the
ready to eat food items for the beneficiaries of ICDS and entrust the responsibility of
preparation of food items to Women Self Groups or Mothers' Groups. This generated
employment for about 75,000 rural women.
The Government enhanced the financial norms from Rs. 2 to Rs. 3 per day per child and Rs 5
for severely malnourished children per day and from Rs. 2.50 to Rs. 5 per day per mother and
adolescent girl so that protein and calories' requirements could be ensured to all the
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beneficiaries. These rates are highest in the country, an official spokesperson said here on
Sunday.
Sakshar Mahila Samoohs
The Govt. set up about 6,000 “Sakshar Mahila Samoohs” (SMS), a group of educated women
in every village, to lend the necessary resource support to the Gram Panchayat and its sub-
committee for effective discharge of the functions assigned to them. The SMS generated
awareness on key issues like sex ratio, literacy, universalization of elementary education,
health and nutrition, opportunities for economic empowerment for women, hygiene,
sanitation and environment and schemes run by the Government for women, girls, children
and the village community.
UNICEF had agreed to provide technical support to the State Government in its multi-faceted
endeavors to empower women and the girl child, formulation of a strategy to address issues
of female foeticide and to explore private sector participation in areas that could be beneficial
in increasing resources available to children.
Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda announced that Mahila Chaupals, rechristened as
Mahila Shakti Sadans, would be constructed in all villages in a phased manner. These would
be equipped with library, furniture, computer and stationery to make them self-sufficient
resource centre to address gender needs of the village.
Loan scheme
The Haryana Women Development Corporation benefitted about 2,800 women under its
loan scheme in 2007 by enabling them to set up their own enterprises. In addition, to promote
and encourage higher education among girls, the Corporation started giving Education
Loans to girls and women at cheaper interest rates.
It was decided that the districts showing improvement in declining sex ratio and securing first
three positions in the State would be given awards at district level every year. Moreover, to
reduce the number of malnourished children in Haryana, Nutrition Awards were instituted at
district level. Furthermore, to encourage rural girls to go in for higher education, 384 girls were
conferred Rural Adolescent Girls Awards.
Health Department
DETAILS OF DEVI RUPAK SCHEME
A scheme to promote the girl child along with the small family norm
Population of Haryana as per 1971 census was 10.36 million, which rose to 16.46 million in
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the year 1991 showing a decadal growth rate of 27.4%. As per the 2001 census, the
population of the state is 21.08 million showing a decadal growth rate of 28.06%.
The birth rate of the state in the year 1971 was 42.1 per thousand, which has come down to
26.8 per thousand in the year 1999. To stabilize the population, birth rate has to be further
brought down to 21.0 per thousand, which will correspond to total fertility rate of 2.1. As per
the National Family Health Survey-II (1998-99), the Fertility Rate of Haryana is 2.88.
Further, the sex ratio (females against 1000 males) of Haryana has declined from 870 in the
year 1981 to 865 in the year 2001, which is a point of major concern.
In order to stabilize the population of the state and to check the declining trend in the sex
ratio, apart from already existing spacing and permanent methods, some innovative
scheme is felt to be introduced in the state which can sensitize the community towards the
need of adopting one child norm and spacing of children. It is important to promote these
ideas especially the newly weds.
Keeping in view the above objectives, a scheme by the name "DEVI RUPAK" is proposed to
be introduced. Introduction of this scheme will also augment the existing family welfare
services and will motivate more and more couples to adopt these norms.
The basic idea of "DEVI RUPAK" is to provide monthly incentive of up to Rs. 500 per month
to a couple accepting a terminal method of family planning (i.e. Vasectomy or Tubectomy as
the case may be) upon the birth of the first child or upon the birth of the second child
provided both the children are girls for a period of 20 years, from the date of such
acceptance.
The amount of monthly incentive proposed to be given as under:-
Sr.No. Stage of adoption
Incentive amount per month
1
At the birth of first girl child
Rs 500
2
At the birth of first boy child
Rs.200
3
At the birth of second girl child
Rs. 200
The scheme came into force from 25.9.2002
Eligibility conditions:
To be eligible under the scheme a couple would have to be registered with the local
Gram Panchayat/ Municipal Committee within those jurisdictions the couple
ordinarily resides.
None of the partners constituting the couple should be an income Tax payee.
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EMPOWERMENT OF FEMALE STUDENTS
In order to empower the female students and bring out talent amongst girls, a new scheme
was started from the year 2005-06. Under this Scheme, Women Cells have been established
in all the Govt. Colleges of the State to organize various activities to bring awareness among
students on gender related issues. An amounting to Rs. 45.00 lacs has been sanctioned for
the year 2007-08 for this scheme and the same has been distributed amongst all the Govt.
Colleges.
Education department
SCHOLARSHIPS
The department of Higher Education is implementing various scholarship schemes for
meritorious & needy students. These are 'National Merit Scholarship Scheme', 'State Merit
Scheme', 'State Meritorious Incentive Scheme' and 'Under Graduate Girls Scholarship
Scheme (+2 Level)'.
New Schemes of Scholarship
Three new schemes have been introduced for scheduled caste and one for general students
under Special Component Plan Scheme for the year 2007-08 and among that
one scheme is for girls:-
Providing of Bicycle to SC girl students in Government Colleges
Under this scheme, a bicycle will be provided only to SC girls students. The Students who
will have secured 50% marks or above in 10+2 class or in next class. The expected
number of eligible students is around 3000. Rs. 75, 00,000/- has been earmarked for this
purpose.
PUNJAB GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
KANYA JAGRITI JOTI (State Sponsored Scheme)
This scheme was launched in 1996 for the girls born on or after 26.1.1996 in the families living
below poverty line and whose family's annual income is below Rs. 20,000/- The main aim of
the scheme is to upgrade the Social & Educational status of the girls and to reduce school
drop out among girls.
Year Budget (Rs. In Lacs) Expenditure Beneficiaries
2007-08
200 Nil
Nil
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25 FACILITY OF 50% CONCESSION IN TRAVEL TO THE WOMEN:
(State Sponsored)
Women above the age of 60 years are getting the facility of 50% concession in bus fares
with in Punjab State.
Year Budget
2007-08
Expenditure Beneficiaries
209.45
140.96 -
26. BALIKA SAMRIDHI YOJNA: (CENTRALLY SPONSORED)
this scheme was launched in 1997 in the State of Punjab with the objective to uplift the
Social Status of the Girl Child. Under this scheme, girls born on or after 15.8.97 are covered.
Year Budget
2007-08 -
Expenditure Beneficiaries
-
-
Year Budget
2007-08 200
Expenditure Beneficiaries
122.38
74770
27. KISHORI SHAKTI YOJNA (ADOLESCENT GIRLS SCHEME)
(The cost of training component of the borne by the Government of India whereas, SNP
is provided by the State Government)
The Government of India has approved this scheme in 47 blocks in Punjab State. Under
this scheme, the adolescent girls are given knowledge of hygiene, environment, health,
nutrition, family life and local trades.
Steps Taken By The Health Department To Improve Sex Ratio
Implementation Of The Pndt Act
Appropriate Authorities have been appointed for the implementation of this Act. i.e.
Senior Medical Officer of the Sub Divisional Hospital at the Sub Divisional Level (52),
Civil Surgeon at the district level (17) and a Multi Member State Appropriate Authority
under the Chairmanship of Director Health Services, at the state level.
A High Level State Advisory Committee has been constituted under the
chairpersonship of Mrs. Preneet Kaur, MP to suggest various inter-departmental
measures to control the declining sex ratio.
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Advisory Committees have been constituted at the district level (17) and sub-divisional
level (52) to aid and advise the concerned Appropriate Authority in the implementation of
the Act.
A State Supervisory Board under the Chairmanship of Honorable Health Minister has
been constituted as per the Act.
The National Inspection and Monitoring Committee of Govt. of India visited Punjab on
26th & 27th May, 2005 and expressed its satisfaction on initial implementation of the
PNDT Act like registration, record-keeping, displaying boards and creating fear
amongst the wrong doers in the state.
Important provisions of the PNDT Act to be followed by the ultrasonologists have been
published in Newspapers in December 04.
1265 ultrasound/ genetic centers have been registered in the state.
All the Appropriate Authorities in the state have been repeatedly sensitized to various
provisions of the PNDT Act and its enforcement.
Inter district inspections by the Civil Surgeons are undertaken to seize the violators of
the PNDT Act to minimize the local pressure and influence.
Surprise Inspections are also carried out by the State Officers to cross check the
enforcement of the Act in various parts of the State.
Enforcement of the PNDT Act in the districts is reviewed every month at the State level
and action is taken against officers showing slackness in implementation of the Act.
83 court cases/ FIRs have been launched in the state for violation of the PNDT Act. kup
of the cases is foeticide 5, sex-determination 9, sex-selection 5, unregistered centers 14,
record-keeping 24 and miscellaneous 18). Out of these, seven cases have been
decided. The five cases each of foeticide and sex determination are pending in the
courts. Two centers have been fined Rs. 1,000/- each, one centre has been convicted
and released on probation and penalty of Rs. 400/- as cost and 4 cases have been
discharged. Revision petition has been filed in the High Court for enhancement of
punishment in the convicted case. One centre in Amritsar has been convicted by the
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Court and revision petition has been filed in the High Court for enhancement of
punishment. Registration of the doctor of this centre has been suspended for 5 years
by the Medical Council. This is probably the first case of conviction and suspension of
medical regist(Brearation in the country.
In addition action has been taken against 200 centers in the form of suspension/
cancellation of registration up to 30.06.06.
Awareness Generation Activities
Intensive awareness generation activities have been undertaken for bringing about
behavior change in the community for enhancing the worth of the girl-child.
Jathedars of Takahat Shri Damdama Sahib and Anandpur Sahib led by Jathedar Akal
Takhat Sahib Giani Joginder Singh Ji Vedanti have come forward in a big way in
lending cooperation and support in improving sex-ratio in the state as their preaching
and advocacy has a lot of impact on the mindset of the society.
The health department is taking full cooperation of the Indian Medical Association
(Punjab chapter) in the campaign in favor of the girl child.
UNFPA, Plan India, Population Foundation of India, Voluntary Health Association of
India and Family Planning Association of India are coordinating and cooperating with
the Health department for awareness generation in favor of the girl-child.
Five film-spots and two radio jingles were got produced and telecast/ broadcast from
Doordarshan, All India Radio and other channels.
Cable TV Network has also been used for spreading the message.
Press Advertisements appealing to doctors, journalists, law enforcers and politicians
have been inserted in leading newspapers of the region from time-to-time for soliciting
the support of these influential groups for the cause of the girl-child.
40000 posters were printed and distributed.
New Year cards on behalf of Honorable Health Minister were sent to all MLAs and
influential opinion leaders appealing to protect and nurture the girl-child.
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Back bus panels have been displayed for bringing awareness on punishments under
the PNDT Act.
Exclusive girl-child competitions have been organized for under two-year girl-child in
the State. The selected baby girls are awarded Kisan Vikas Patras worth Rs. 500/- and
300/- as 1st and 2nd prize which on maturity are used for school education of these
girls.
Istri Sehat Sabha members and Anganwadi Workers have been actively involved for
promoting the cause of the girl-child.
Many Women welfare schemes e.g. Kishori Shakti Yojna, Balika Samridhi Yojna
and Mahila Jagriti Yojna are undertaken by the department of Social Security,
Women & Child Development.