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Focus 2003 April - June English |
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POPULATION
FOUNDATION
OF INDIA
Events organised by some of PFl's collaborative NGO partners
The Government of India has declared April
11 as the National Safe Motherhood day.
On this day in 2003, Government of India
Samadhan in
o Madhubani
district of Bihar
has announced "Rashtriya Janani Suraksha Yojana"
organised a rally
for women below the poverty line who deliver in the o of school
government health institutions.
children in Raj
Population Foundation of India, as a part of its
Nagar block with
advocacy programmes, encouraged its collaborative
messages, slogans
partner organisations to organise various activities
o and songs on safe
during the Safe Motherhood Week, 7-11 April, with
motherhood.
a common theme "No mother should die while
Women mem-
giving life".
o bers of Self-Help Groups, school teachers and social
Bharatiya Gramin Mahila Sangh (BGMS),
o activists joined the rally with children.
Indore organised mass meetings at Aheerkhedi and
Social Awareness and Development Organization
Tejapur Garbadi bastis. Not only important issues o for Women
related to
(SAADOW), Natham
ante-natal,
and Sanarpatti blocks in
natal and
Dindigul district of
post-natal
o Tamil Nadu organised
care were
awareness generation
discussed but meetings on safe
also breast
motherhood in which
feeding,
women members of the
immunisation • SHGs and social
and growth of the child were addressed. Health
• animators participated
exhibitions, essay and painting competitions
and discussed the issues
among young adolescent girls on safe motherhood
of safe motherhood, child survival, adolescent health,
were organised.
• RTIIHIV/AlDS ete.
Ranbaxy Community Health Care Society in
Gayatri Teerth-Shantikunj, Haridwar
Dewas, Madhya
in Uttaranchal organised a large gathering • Participatory Workshop on
Pradesh, organised • of around 800 men and women.
Project Formulation and
poster exhibitions, 0 Dr Anuradha Dwivedi, Chief Speaker
role plays, video 0 on the occasion expressed her concern on
Monitoring and Evaluation of
Population Programmes
2
shows, group
discussions and
the maternal mortality rate with particular • Participation in Meetings/
reference to safe delivery and shared with
Workshops
2
lectures ete. on 0 the audience the importance of the ame- • Advocacy af,ainst Female
safe motherhood.
natal, natal and post-natal care.
Foeticide.
..
3
• Foundation Interacted with
Media on Gender Issues
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The Tenth Five Year Plan stresses on elimination of all fOrms of
gender discrimination so as to enable women "to enjoy not
only de-jure but also de-facto rights and fUndamental freedom
on par with men in all spheres, viz. political, economic, social, civil,
cultural etc. " A somewhat positive movement towards this has begun
with respect to education, economic empowerment and health, but at
the same time the right to lift of a girl child has received a negative
momentum.
The relatiomhip between the desire fOr a small family, affluence,
son preference, easily accessible and affordable technology fOr sex
determination befOre or during pregnancy and many other socio-
cultural factors leading to adverse child sex ratio is a disturbing trend
fOr India. Many upper middle classfamilies, who want just one or
two children, with at least one or both as som are no doubt promoting
sex selective abortions and female fOeticide. Once a daughter is
"alwwed" to be born, the desire fOr a son is leading to a number of sex
selective abortions till the second child born happens to be a son. With
a daughter and a son, it is perceived in this section of society that
gender discrimination has reduced at the family level, giving an
impression that it is declining with devewpment. But discrimination
at the pre-birth stage in fact has increased, leading to a more negative
sex ratio. Studies have shown a strong linkage of affluence with female
fOeticide. The fear lies in demonstration effect and spread of not only
the modern technowgy fOr sex determination but also the adoption of
behavioural pattern linked with son preference and small families
from affluent to non-affluent societies.
Arresting the evil practice of female fOeticide calls fOr a multi-
pronged and integrated approach. National planning should be able to
tackle gender-related inequalities, but non-government organisatiom
and other civil society groups should lobby hard fOr gender sensitive
population policies with a rights-based approach and governments
need to pay attention to them rather than going in fOr potentially
authoritarian and coercive policies and strategies.
Effective advocacy is needed to reach out to all key partners,
institutions of civil society, community groups and leaders who could
act as change agents. It is not a one-way approach of prescribing
specific behaviour to people; rather, it should enable people to be part
of the decision-making process and help development of sustainable
policies and programmes. Efforts also need to be made to mobilize
political, religious, cultural, administrative and community support
fOr a sustained campaign against female fOeticide. Media can play an
important role in bringing a change in the mindsets of people. The
messages have to suit to specific communities and regions addressing
various factors responsible fOr decline in child sex ratio within different
strata.
There is a need fOr a comensus to work in a fOcussed direction fOr
accelerating the process of societal reorientation towards creating a
gender-just society.
lPuticl QUlJTy WOrdksfJ,l({D!p w!ffi
Proj(}tt FOJrJ1Jfll ~rm@)W1~Jl«l'1
I~ Dimring mld JE
of jopul-atJiOID! ~fJ!ll~
As a refreshing exercise, the Foundation organised a
one-day workshop for its staff and the selected members
of its collaborative agencies on project formulation and
monitoring and evaluation of population programmes.
UNFPA experts were requested to take up this work-
shop. Dr Francois M Farah, Country Representative,
UNFPA, shared with the participants the importance
and the inter-linkage of project formulation and
monitoring and evaluation of all population related
programmes. A team consisting of Mr Venkatesh
Srinivasan, Senior Program Advisor and Dr Dinesh
Agarwal, Technical Advisor and TSU Manager, UNFPA
conducted the workshop. Representatives from Hima-
layan Institute Hospital Trust, Dehradun, Vardaan
Foundation, Baroda and Emmanuel Hospital Associa-
tion, New Delhi participated in this workshop.
Partia a n
eetm two kshops
• Mr Manoj Kar, Consultant (HN/AiDS & RCH)
anended a National Workshop on HN /AIDS related
stigma and discrimination organised by the Kerala Health
Studies and Research, at New Delhi on April 5, 2003.
• Mr S Ramaseshan, Secretary & Treasurer attended
• an Annual Fund Management workshop with a special
• focus on Legal Framework and Regulations for
• Development Organisations held during June 3-5,
• 2003 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
• Dr Kumudha Aruldas, Joint Director (Programmes)
• attended a meeting on National Plan of Action for
• Children 2003 organised by Department of Women
• and Child Development at Vigyan Bhawan, New
: Delhi on June 4, 2003.
• • Dr Sharmila Neogi, Programme Officer (RCH)
• attended a meeting on Safe Motherhood on June 19,
• 2003 organised by White Ribbon Alliance India at
CEDPA, New Delhi.
• • Dr B P Thiagarajan, Joint Director (M&E)
• attended a two-day Data-users' Workshop on
• June 20-21, 2003 organised by Institute for Research
• in Medical Statistics (IRMS), New Delhi.
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Project jointly implemented by Plan India and Population
Foundation of India
Sex determination and female foeticide-
Present scenario of India
Census 2001 has brought in light the
alarming decline in Child Sex Ratio (CSR)
in the age group (0-6) years. The decline is
not only from 2001 but continuous from 1961.
· Child Sex Ratio in the States and
· Union Territories
From the following diagram, we can see that the
• total decline in India, as per Census 2001 is 18
• points, from 945 in 1991 to 927 in 2001. The decline
: of child sex ratio is so wide spread that out of 28
• states and 7 union territories, only 4 states, namely,
• Kerala, Tripura, Miwram, Sikkim and only one
• union territory, namely, Lakshadweep are relatively
• free from this socially harmful and degrading
• phenomenon.
1971 1981 1991
[] Child Sex Ratio
Changes in child sex ratio largely reflect the
underlying socio-economic and cultural patterns of a •
society in various ways.
Factors responsible for female
foeticide:
• Obsession to have a son.
• Discnmination against the girl child.
• Socio-economic and physical insecurity of
women.
• Evil practice of dowry prevailing in our society.
• Two-child norm policy of certain state
governments.
• Easily accessible and affordable procedure for sex
determination during pregnancy.
• Misuse of modern technology for sex determina-
tion tests.
'''''"'
A & N Islands
Pondicheny
TN
K •••••
La_
Goo
Kamataka
AP
Maharashtr.
0& N Haveli
D&Oiu
Gujeral
we
A"am
Meghalaya
Tripura
Mizoram
Manipur
Nagaland
Arunachal Pradesh
Sikkim
Chhatisgart1
JhaJ1o;hand
UtWand>al
MP
Orissa
""""
UP
Rajasthan
DeIN
J& K
HP
Chandigarh
"""ana
Puojab
0
.1991 2001
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Population Foundation of India organised advocacy
workshops with Members of Legislative Assembly
and Corporate sector/Industries against female
foeticide in Rajasthan and Orissa.
Objectives of the project:
• To orient and give correct petception of the
situation on the issue of female foeticide to
Members of the State Legislative Assembly.
• To address the corporate sector and industries
towards creating awareness and sensitivity among
their workers against female foeticide and the
importance of the girl child.
• To bring in to light rhe scope and content of the
PNDT Act with an attempt to prevent and arrest
the rampant practice of sex determination tests
and sex selection that lead to female foeticide.
• Through this process, promote NGOs network
to develop a gender sensitive programme
implementation strategy based on gender
sensitive policy environment.
Apart from the deep-rooted culture of male
dominating society, the consequences of the two-
• child norm policy in the states have been reflected in
various studies.
• generate the willingness of MLAs to participate in
these workshops.
Similarly, Rajasthan Chamber of Commerce and
• Industry in Jaipur extended laudable support in
• inviting various industrial groups for attending the
• workshop and also in providing the venue in their own
premises. In Orissa, individual industrialists were
contacted apart from Utka! Chamber of Commerce &
• Industry and Confederation ofIndian Industry (ClI).
Constant follow-up yielded results in getting a
• good number of participants for these workshops.
· Workshops with Members of
· Legislative Assembly In Orissa And
· Rajasthan
In Orissa, workshop with MLAs was held on
• May 26, 2003 at Hotel Swosti Plaza, Bhubaneswar.
During the inaugural session, Sri P Kanungo,
Honourable Minister of Legislative Affairs and
• Finance, Government of Orissa, reciting the shloka
• "YtztrNaryastu Puyante Ramante latr Devta - God
• dwells where women are worshipped", said that in
lTElE1£\\.
a
MAY 26,2003
•
HOT
Jointly organised by
Il\\Al.t r
ES ~
· Strategy and methodology
~
Population Foundation of India decided to do the
advocacy with Members of the State Legislative
Assembly, who in turn should raise their voice for
policy framework; include the issue in their party
manifestoes and also to prepare a team of stake-
holders who can act as watchdogs for effective
• implementation of the PNDT Act.
• (L to R): Sri P Kanungo, Hon'ble Minister of Legislative
It was also decided to do the advocacy with
Affiirs; Sri PrajUlla Chandra Ghadei, Hon'ble Minister of
• corp~rate sector/industries to seek their support in • H&FW; Sri Sarat Kumar Kar, Hon'ble Speaker of Orissa
creating awareness and sensitising the industrial
• Legislative Assembly; Mr A R Nanda, Executive Director,
workforce in arresting sex-selective abortions and the
PFJ; Sri Ramakant Mishra, Hon'ble Leader of Opposition
• evil practice of female foeticide.
ancient India, women held high status. He said that
One well-established local NGO was selected in
only those societies that respect women deserve to be
each state, who has been working on the population • called civilised. Criticising the eveil practice of
• issues with a rights-based approach. NIAHRD, in : female foeticide, he pointed our that sex selective
Cuttack, and PRAYAS in Chittaurgarh were
abortions were a recent phenomenon in Indian
selected to assist the Foundation in organising these • society. ~ introduction of ultrasound and the
• workshops in Orissa and Rajasthan respectively.
• small family norm provoked the people to do female
To seek the support of MLAs for attending the
foeticide and infanticide. He strongly advocated for
workshops, the speakers and deputy speakers of the
effective social mobilisation in favour of gender
respective states along with various Ministers were • equality. Others present were, Sri Ramakant Mishra,
• contacted time and again. A series of communica- • Honourable Leader of Opposition, Sri Prafulla
• tions were sent, followed by personal visits to
• Chandra Ghadei, Honourable Minister of Health
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and Family Welfare, Sri Sarat Kumar Kar,
Valedictory address was given by the Honourable
Honourable Speaker of Orissa Legislative Assembly. • Minister of Revenue, Sri Bishwabhushan
Mr A R Nanda, Executive Director of Popula- • Harichandran. This workshop provided a platform
tion Foundation of India said that government
• to political leaders cutting across party lines and
policies like two-child norm and disqualification of a • sharing their view points on the issue of female
candidate contesting polls if he or she has more rhan • foeticide.
two children have turned out to be counterproduc-
In Rajasthan, MLAs' workshop was held on June
rive as far as arresting of female foeticide is con-
• 25, 2003 at Rajasthan Institute of Public Adminis-
cerned. He said, "a social disaster lies ahead if we do • rration, Jaipur. The workshop was inaugurated by
not check this practice". Census reports have
the Honourable Deputy Speaker, Kunwar Devendra
revealed warning signals of drop in the child sex
• Singh. Around 90 persons were present. Dr
ratio. Around eighty participants were present
• Narendra Gupta from PRAYAS welcomed the
showing their keen interest in advocating the issue • particpants and explained the need for organising
of arresting female foeticide. MLAs expressed their
this workshop. Dr Kumudha Aruldas, Joint Direc-
view-points on the issue and committed that the issue • tor, Population Foundation of India addressed the
of female foeticide has created a great concern for all of • participants during the inaugural session on how
them and they would like to address the issue individu- • community perceptions vary from family to family
ally/jointly with all their efforts.
• in relation to reproductive and child health due to
The presentarions were divided into four major : lack of awareness and knowledge on RCH
parts. Demographic scenario of the state was
• issues.Though MLAs were aware to some extent that
presented by Sri Manoranjan Saran, Director of
Census, Orissa. Dr Saraswati Swain, Secretary
General, National Institute of Applied Health and
Research Development (NIAHRD) presented an
analytical and comparative scenario of sex ratio of
the state vis-a-vis India along with the panic
situation of declining sex ratio in the age group 0-6
years in different districts of the state, which was
highly eye-catching for the MLAs and other
participants. Highlighting the socio-cultural and
political factors influencing female foeticide, she
focussed on the need for sensitising the community,
the doctors and media representatives on the severe
consequences of the differentials in child sex ratio.
She appealed for a consensus among the MLAs and • A view of the MLAs' workshop in Rajasthan
ministers on this noble cause. Legal and medical
aspects related to the issue were also discussed.
• sex selective abortions are taking place in their own
• districts, but Mr J K Banthia, Registrar General of
• India, who was present on the occasion, shared with
• them the situation in different districts and the
: districts maps gave them the shocking figures.
• Mr Banthia said to MLAs that there is no need to
wait till 2011 census. What is needed is action right
• now and action towards hundred percent birth and
• death registration so that the actual situation is
• known every year. Addressing them to take a leading •
• role, he said that a systematic planning is needed to
• work with consensus of all. Mrs Geeta Malhotra,
,. ; I
• Programme Officer (lEe), Population Foundation
• of India concluded the workshop highlighting
,
• various issues raised by the respective MLAs and
• suggestive actions proposed by the forum.
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Workshops with corporate sector/
industries
: ('ment/industry for education of the girl child. NGOs/
individuals or doctors should be given state awards if
In Orissa, workshop with corporate sector/
they are working on the issue of arresting female
industries was held on June 29, 2003 at hotel Swosti foeticide. He concluded with a statement that a ten-
Plaza. Honourable Minister of Industry, Sri K V
word sentence can playa magic for advocacy,which
Singh Deo inaugurated the workshop. Chief
starts from oneself "If it has to be, it has to be me".
Secretary & Chief Development Commissioner,
Shri K V Singh Deo, Honourable Minister of
Government of Orissa, Sri P K Mohanty, was
Industry, during his address, assured his support to this
present. Apart from Plan India representatives, Chief • cause. Shri P K Mohanty, Chief Secretary to Govern-
Executive Officers of various Industries, President of • ment of Orissa, said that the industry can educate their
Utkal Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
representative of cn ete. were also present.
employees by holding regular seminars/workshops and
debates on the issue of gender disparity and female
While delivering the Presidential Address, Mr A R foeticide in their work premises.
Nanda, Executive Director, PFI, said that the issue of
female foeticide, which the Indian society is facing in
the 21st century, is more serious than the issue of
population stabilisation. The population stabilisation
can be fruitful if quality of life and balanced sex ratio
are taken into account.
Dr Saraswati Swain, Secretary General,
NIAHRD, said that there is no denying the fact that •
industry can playa major role in arresting the evil
practice of sex selective abortions and female
foeticide through their workforce.
Shri 0 N Padhi, Principal Secretary, Steel and
Mines, said that there is a need to have an action
• plan with a time-frame to have measurable and
tangible results. He further added that all doctors
should be requested to take a pledge for not
Dr Nalini Abraham, Country Health Advisor,
• associating themselves with this evil practice.
Plan India, while addressing the gathering and
He also mentioned that some schemes should be
sharing her own experiences of birth registration in
developed to keep fIxed amounts by the state govern- • various parts of the state, said that this workshop has
been organised to invite
industry to take a leading
role in this endeavour.
Shri C B Satpathy, Chief
of Vigilance, O.N.G.C, was
present to grace the occasion
and promised his support to
the cause.
Presentations were made
on the demographic scenario
of the state; socio-cultural
and political analysis; gender
disparity and effective
implementation of the
PNDT Act in the state.
In Rajasthan, workshop
• Lighting of the lamp by Sri P K Mohanty, Chief Secretary &
• Chief Development Commissioner, Government of Orissa during the inauguration
with corporate sector!
industries was held on June
• of the workshop with Industry.
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Major
Recommendations
During MLAs'
workshops
• District-level workshops
should be organised to
sensitise the community,
NGOs and CBOs.
• Panchayats at three levels
should be given the
responsibility to act as
watchdogs for arresting the
sex selective abortions and
Dr K L Jain, Secretary General RCCf, Jaipur and Mr A R Nanda, Executive
Director, PF/ exchanging viewpoints
female foeticide.
• NGOs should work with
gender-sensitive and rights-
Dr K L Jain, Honorary Secretary General of
based approach and sensitise the community on
Rajasthan Chamber of Commerce and Industry
these issues.
inaugurated the workshop. Apart from senior
• Promotion of literacy and hundred per cent
government officials, subject-matter experts, academi-
registration of children in schools in the age
cians, senior representatives of various industrial units
group of 4-8 years.
in Rajasthan were present during the workshop.
• Value education is must for adolescents, within
Apart from socio-cultural aspects, the impact of
school or out of school, as they are the change agents.
two-child norm policy was also emphasised. Dr
• Hundred per cent registration of births/deaths/
Narendra Gupta from PRAYAS made a presentation
pregnancies followed by ante-natal check-ups. A
on the demographic scenario of Rajasthan in
mechanism should be evolved for this with
relation to female foeticide. Dr Sarita Sharma,
public/private support.
poetess and social activist, recited on the issue of
Strategies should be developed to make a record
female foeticide. A resolution was passed by industry
starting from registration of pregnancy till delivery.
members to support PFI and Plan India towards
campaigning against the issue and to take initiatives
· During industry workshops
for framing effective implementation strategies.
• A consensus was made to support the cause.
Media persons from print/electronic were present • • Special schemes on incentives to the girl child
during these four workshops.
should be introduced.
Key issues addressed during
presentations:
• • Medical reimbursement schemes should specify
the norms for reimbursement of expenses in
relation to MTPs/abortions.
• Population and development
• • General awareness should be created with the
programmes with emphasis on life-cycle
workforce on the issue.
approach; gender and rights-based approach.
• • Special programmes should be organised focussed •
.• Impact of two-child norm and coercive policies.
on gender equality and importance of the girl
• . Old myths in relation to son preference
child.
for family lineage and performance of last rites. • • Social organisations attached to various industry
• Importance of the girl child and her right to live.
groups should look into the legal aspects and
• Situation in Punjab and Haryana on "missinggirls"
support effective implementation of the PNDT
and abduction of girls from other states.
Act related to female foeticide.
. • Example of China emphasising on one-child
• Provide support to the district appropriate
policy and what is the position now.
authorities in this regard.
• Ethics in medical profession.
• • There is a need to do the advocacy with medical
• Why there is a need of law?
professionals on the issue.
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Advocacy kit contained the following:
• Country/State-specific papers on Sex Determination and Female Foeticide.
• A brochure on the PNDT Act b:lSed on the revisions made in February 2003.
• Posters/calendars on female foeticide giving social/legal messages.
• India/state maps on child sex ratio.
• Expected role of MLAs.
• Expected role of Industries/Corporate sector.
• CD of the mm "Atmaja" sponsored by Plan India and produced by
Mr Nilamadhab Panda on female foeticide in Oriya for Orissa and in
Hindi for Rajasthan.
~
.P..l•a.n",
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1hi1! C<ftIiB~ ~~ a
In Rajasthan, Census 2001 has shown decline in Child Sex Ratio (0-6 Years) in 20 out of 32 districts as compared to 1991 census.
SI. No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
State/ Districts
Rajasthan
Aimer
Alwar
Banswara
Baran
Barmer
Bharatpur
Bhilwara
Bikaner
Bundi
Chiltaurgarh
Churu
Dausa
Dhaulpur
Dungarpur
Gongonagar
Honumongorh
Joipur
Jaisolmer
Jolor
Jhalawor
Jhunihunu
Jodhpur
Korouli
Kota
Naoour
Poli
Rajsomond
Sowoi Modhopur
Sikor
Sirohi
Tonk
Udaipur
Child Sex Ratio in the Age Group 0-6 Years
1991
2001
916
909
913
923
914
888
976
972
930
918
901
922
879
875
953
951
914
915
915
908
951
927
904
912
919
900
875
859
974
963
894
852
897
873
925
897
851
867
909
924
944
929
900
867
913
920
873
876
914
902
918
920
896
927
943
935
894
900
904
882
918
918
931
922
958
944
Absalute Change
-7
10
-26
-4
-12
21
-4
-2
1
-7
-24
8
-19
-16
-11
-42
-24
-28
16
15
-15
-33
7
3
-12
2
31
-8
6
-22
0
-9
-14
SI. No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
State/ Districts
Orissa
Nobarongopur
Koraput
Kolohondi
Molkonoiri
Rayogado
Sundargorh
Kondhamol
Nuapodo
Bolongir
Sombolpur
Kendujhor
Gojopoti
Debagorh
Baudh
Sonopur
Bargorh
Mayurbhonj
Jhorsugudo
Cultack
Bhadrak
Kendropara
Baleshwor
Anugul
Jojapur
Ganiam
Pur;
Khordha
Dhenkanol
Jagatsinghpur
Nayagarh
Child Sex Ratio in the Age Group 0-6 Years
1991
2001
967
950
999
1002
1019
993
1003
990
1000
990
1005
983
967
974
990
973
999
970
976
967
974
963
981
963
979
963
965
962
1004
962
972
961
971
954
962
954
967
950
945
941
955
940
942
935
965
934
961
934
946
932
952
928
945
921
949
920
957
9.19
941
917
950
901
Absolute Change
-17
3
-26
-13
-10
-22
7
-17
-29
-9
·11
-18
-16
-3
-42
-11
-17
-8
-17
-4
-15
-7
-31
-27
-14
-24
.24
·29
-38
-24
-49
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What PNDT Act says?
• conducted only by genetic clinics, genetic laborato-
In order to check female foeticide, the Prenatal
: ries, and genetic counseling centres which have been
Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of
registered under the PNDT Act.
Misuse) Act, 1994 was enacted and came into operation • • Clinics involved in sex determination tests or
from 1stJanuaty, 1996 (referredto as the PNDT Act). • advertisements by a doctor or a clinic for conducting
However, during the rourse of implementation of the • the sex determination test of an unborn baby are
said Act, certain inadequaciesand practical difficultiesin : equally liable for punishment under the PNDT Act.
the administration of the Act came to the notice of the • • Doctors and radiologists conducting or soliciting
Government. At the same time techniques have been • patients for sex determination tests can be impris-
developed to select the sex of the child before ronception • oned up to five years and fined up to Rs. 50,000.
which may also contribute to the declining sex ratio. • • Cognizable, non-bailable and non- compoundable
Taking into ronsideration these developments, the
: are the offences under the PNDT Act. Cognizable is
PNDT Act has been amended. The amended Act came • an offence, for which police may arrest without a
into force with effect from 14" February, 2003. The
• warrant. Under non-bailable offence, bail may be
Act is now read as:
• granted only by competent court. Non-compoundable
The Pre-ronception and Pre-natal Diagnostic
• offence is an offence in which, no settlement between
Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994. • the parties is possible to drop the criminal proceedings.
The main purpose has been to ban the use of
sex-selectiontechniques before or after ronception as · Expected role of industry
well as the misuse of pre- natal diagnostic techniques for
Collaboration with industries is based on the
sex selectiveabortions and to regulate such techniques. • premise that industries are more than economic
The salient features of the Act are:
• institutions, who include not merely economic
. considerations but also social objectives in their
• • Sex determination of unborn child is not
decision making process. Diverting corporate energy
• permissible under Pre-conception and Pre-natal
• into social responsibility is required foremost. Some
• Dignostic Techniques Act, 1994.
• areas of activities that
• • Utilisation of ultra-sonogrpahy, amniocentesis to industrial and corporate
determine and communicate the sex of an unborn is • sector can undertake
• punishable under the law since January 1996.
and support are
• • Any person conducting ultrasonography on a
• suggested below:
pregnant women shall give a declaration on each
•• Considering the i~sue
•. report on ultrasonography that she/he has neither
of female feoticide, both
detected nor disclosed the sex of foetus of the
• as a human right and a
• pregnant woman to anybody.
• development issue from
• • No person, including a specialistor a team of specialists • a holistic perspective, the first and foremost require-
• in the fieldof infertility,shallronduct or aid in rondueting • ment is the rommitrnent from the senior executives for
• sexselectionon any tissue,embryo, ronceprus, fluid or • taking up programmes, allocation of resources, and
gametesderived from either or both of them.
• drawing up a strategy and work plan.
• • All clinics conducting ultrasound scans must be •• Explicitrommitrnent to the causeof women and girl
• registered and must display prominently a notice in • child among managerialcadresof the indusoy. Creation
• English or in local language that sex determination • of a gender sensitiveenvironment, equal rightsand
• of foetus is prohibited under the law.
• facilitiesto women employees,proper medicaland health
• • Use of Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques are
• care,and specialincentivesin favour of girl child can be
• allowed only on medical grounds for detecting
• the priority areas/Orronsideration.
• abnormalities, disorders and congenital anomaly etc. • • Indian industry in private sector has a built-in
• and not for determining sex of the foetus.
advantage in its ability to support welfareactivitiesdue to
• • No persons conducting pre-natal diagnostic
• its easyaccessto a large group of employeesand their
• procedure under the law shall communicate to
: families.Industrial workers are located in contiguous
• pregnant woman concerned or her relatives the sex • areaswhere it is easyto do advocacyand rommunication
of the foetus by words or signs or any other method. • activities,and provide rounseling services.
• • Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques can be
• • Setting up a joint action group consisting the
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2.1 Page 11 |
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representatives of management and employees to • them a potent force as change agents. Their role in
plan and implement programmes against sex
• development programmes related to various social
determination and female foeticide.
• issues is important. Elimination of female foeticide can
• Many industrial houses run/support private
• be one of the priority areas for intervention by MLAs.
hospitals. They can monitor their activities to see • • Political will and public opinion are important
that sex determination tests and female foeticide • preconditions for sustained campaign against female
are not done. Simultaneously, they can also
: foeticide. MLAs can provide leadership in
sensitize the doctors and health workers on PNDT • acknowledging the existence of the problem, to speak
Act and adverse implications of declining sex ratio. • out on it and implement policies to correct it.
The traditional birth attendants living in the
• • Discussing female foeticide as a human right and
peripheral areas collude in referring cases for sex • development issue and not purely as women's issue.
determination and subsequently female foeticide.
Along with doctors and health workers, these
traditional birth attendants need to be sensitised.
• Similarly in the industry run schools and
colleges, sensitisation of teachers and students,
primarily on the issue of female foeticide and
related issues like dowry and discrimination against
girl child could be taken up.
• Various NGOs are working in and around the
industrial areas. Increased cooperation between
industry management and NGOs is required for • • Discussing the issue of female foeticide in assembly
awareness generation against female foeticide and • meetings and other fora like public meetings,
effective implementation of the PNDT Act.
committee meetings and party meetings. Utilising the •
• Various information, education and
communication programmes and events on the
feedback received during such meetings in the process
of policy formulation and programme development.
issue of female foeticide can be sponsored.
• Sharing views and perceptions with other
• Database of the health status of employees and • representatives to identifY common concerns as well as
their families can be created along with ensuring
differences. Mentioning the issue of female foeticide in
registration of pregnancies, births, and deaths.
• party programmes and election manifestos.
• Complementary efforts and cooperation among • • Bringing about coordination among government
various industries according to their varying
departments and projects related to female foeticide.
capacities and relevant skills can be facilitated.
• • Interfacing with the enforcing authorities and
Social welfare wing of various industries can be the policy makers for the effective implementation
nodal centers for carrying out various programmes • of rhe PNDT Act and other legislations concerning
against sex determination and female foeticide and • the rights of girls, empowerment of women and their
related issues of dowry/women's status.
• political participation in decision making.
• Necessary fmancial and material resources can be • • To ensure that government programmes for the
mobilised on a sustained basis towards this cause.
• welfare of the girl child and women are implemented
There are large number of industries who would like • vigorously to reduce and eliminate gender bias.
to undertake advocacy and communication activities • • Increased cooperation between government and
towards arresting sex determination and female
NGOs to stop the evil practice of female foeticide.
foeticide and may not know how to go about it. In • NGOs to generate awareness and public opinion and
this case, PFI through its local collaborative NGOs, • help in listing and enumerating the premises where
can render technical assistance as and when required. • medical termination of pregnancy is being performed.
• •. Enforcing registration of births, deaths and
Expected role of MIAs
• pregnancy by all public/private hospitals.
MLAs occupy an important position in India's : • Coordination with local bodies like Panchayati
development and change process. Their regular
• Raj Institutions and urban civic bodies for effective
interaction with the people of their constituency • monitoring of the practices of sex determination and
and awareness of local socio-cultural ethos make • female foeticide.
o.••••••
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Humanwell being is the core concern of
development and population stabilisation,
but it has been acknowledged that there is a
disparity between women and men where developmen-
tal attainments are concerned. Reproductive rights
embrace cenain human rights, which include right to
attain the highest standar-f of sexual and reproductive
health and also the right to make decisions concerning
reproduction free of discrimination, coercion and
violence. Gender discrimination between men and
women has not only deprived women from their
reproductive rights but also from many other rights
throughout the life cycle. Media plays an important
role not only in disseminating information and
knowledge to masses on various issues, but also in
giving articUlation to the perspective and voices of
grassroots across the length and breadth of our country.
Considering media's major role, Population
Foundation of India organised an experience sharing
and interactive meeting with Media on April 9, 2003.
The aim of the meeting was to sensitise media on
gender issues. It was a half day meeting. Various media
persons from print and electronic media, independent
journalists and experts from media organisations
participated in the meeting. Dr Francois M Farah,
UNFPA Representative, addressed the participants on
population and development-trends and practices,
• focussing on rights-based and gender issues. Ms B
• Bhamati, former Technical Adviser-Gender, UNFPA,
• emphasised that human well being is the core concern
• of development but discrimination against women is
• still widespread, rooted in a social system where women
• are less valued than men. She said that even women
• have achieved a lot in all areas and until the gender
• biased mindsets in relation to women are changed, the
• real achievement will not be made. Dr Nalini
• Abraham, Country Health Adviser, Plan India, shared
with participants a success-storyof Plan India in Orissa
: on birth registration. She said that issue-based media
• advocacy is needed for population stabilisation and
• quality of life and there is a need to understand how
• these issuesare contributing directly or indirecdy in
• population and development programmes.
Mr A R Nanda shared with the participants the
• Foundation's catalytic role for promoting and advocar-
• ing various issueson population and development and
• sought media's support in this endeavour.
Published by Population Foundation of India
B-28, Qutab Institutional Area,
New Delhi-1IOO 16.
Tel.: 26867080, 26867081 Fax: 26852766
e-mail: popfound@sify.com / website: www.popfound.org
Editorial Direction & Guidance:
MrARNanda
Editor: Mrs Geeta Malhorra
Editorial Commirtee:
Dr B P Thiagarajan
Dr Kurnudha Aruldas
Editorial Assistance:
Ms R Vanaja
'1If untklivered please return to:
Population Foundation of India
..
~1• a B-28, Qutab Institutional Area, Tara Crescent, New Delhi-11001G.