The killing of women exists in various forms in societies the world over. However, Indian society displays some unique and particularly brutal/cruel versions, such as dowry deaths and sati. Female foeticide is an extreme result of violence against women. Female foetuses are selectively aborted after pre-natal sex determination, thus avoiding the birth of girls. As a result of selective abortion, between 35 and 40 million girls and women are missing from the Indian population. In some parts of the country, the sex ratio of girls to boys has dropped to less than 800:1,000. The United Nations has expressed serious concern about the this.
The sex ratio has altered consistently in favour of boys since the beginning of the 20th century , and the effect has been most pronounced in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi,Rajasthan.,Bihar UP,Orissa. Worryingly, the trend is far stronger in urban rather than rural areas, and among literate rather than illiterate women, exploding the myth that growing affluence and spread of basic education alone will result in the removal of gender bias.
Status of Indian Women
The adverse sex ratio has been linked with the low status of women in Indian communities, both Hindu and Muslim. The status of women in a society can be determined by their education, health, economic role, presence in the professions and management, and decision-making power within the family. It is deeply influenced by the beliefs and values of society. Islam permits polygamy and gives women fewer rights than men. Among Hindus, liking for the male child is likewise in belief and practice. The Ramayana and the Manusmriti (the Laws of Manu) represent the ideal woman as obedient and submissive, and always needing the care of a male: first father, then husband, then son.
The birth of a son is regarded as essential in Hinduism and many prayers and lavish offerings are made in temples,even fast for days in the hope of having a male child. Modern medical technology is used in the service of this religion-driven lowering position of women and girls.
Religion operates alongside other cultural and economic factors in lowering the status of women. The practice of dowry has spread nationwide, to communities and castes in which it had never been the custom, fuelled by consumerism and increase of upper caste practices. In the majority of cases, the legal system has no impact on the practice of dowry. It is estimated that a dowry death occurs in India every one and half hour.
The demand of dowery during marriage of girl by boys resulting e economic pressure on families to use any means to avoid having girls, who are seen as a liability. At present girls are also being given higher education and they are also getting good jobs ,this will resulting is equality for girls ,but economic pressure are much more on girls parens ,first they have to spend huge amount and education and then on their marriage’.
Most of those in the medical profession, being part of the same gender biased society, are steeped in the same attitudes concerning women. It is scarcely surprising that they are happy to fulfil the demands of prospective parents. Medical malpractice in this area is flourishing, and bans on gender selection, for example in Maharashtra, have had little effect.
Consequences of Female Foeticide
Given the lower value placed on women in Indian society, prenatal sex determination with the intention of preventing female births must be viewed as a manifestation of violence against women, a violation of their human rights. The pregnant woman, though often equally anxious to have a boy, is frequently pressurized to undergo such procedures. Many women suffer from psychological trauma as a result of forcibly undergoing repeated abortions. More generally, demographers warn that in the next twenty years there will be a shortage of brides in the marriage market mainly because of the adverse juvenile sex ratio, combined with an overall decline in fertility. While fertility is declining more rapidly in urban and educated families, nevertheless the preference for male children remains strong. For these families, modern medical technologies are within easy reach. Thus selective abortion and sex selection are becoming more common.
In rural areas, as the number of marriageable women declines, men would tend to marry younger women, leading to a rise in fertility rates and thus a high rate of population growth. The abduction of girls is an associated phenomenon. Recently it is reported that young girls from Assam and West Bengal are kidnapped and sold into marriage in neighbouring Haryana.
. More women are likely to be exploited as sex workers. Increases in molestations and rape are an obvious result. The sharp rise in sex crimes in Delhi have been attributed to the unequal sex ratio.
outside the medical profession, in particular those involved with human rights, would have helped to prevent fraternity bias – an unwillingness to bring medical colleagues to account.
The survey of patient attitudes showed that only 40% of male patients and 30% of female patients were aware of the prohibition of sex determination. While 90% purported to agree with the principle of the Act, they nevertheless maintained that a male child was important for the strengthening of the family.
Preventing Female Foeticide
The removal of this practice in Indian society is a serious challenge. It must involve
A move away from religious teachings and the advocacy of a scientific, rational, and humanist approach.
The empowerment of women and a strengthening of women’s rights through campaigning against practices such as dowry, and ensuring strict implementation of existing legislation.
Ensuring the development of and access to good health care services.
Inculcating a strong ethical code of conduct among medical professionals, beginning with their training as undergraduates.
Simple methods of complaint registration, accessible to the poorest and most vulnerable women.
Wide publicization in the media of the scale and seriousness of the practice. NGOs should take a key role in educating the public on this matter.
Regular assessment of indicators of status of women in society, such as sex ratio, and female mortality, literacy, and economic participation.
It is only by a combination of monitoring, education campaigns, and effective legal implementation that the deep-seated attitudes and practices against women and girls can be minimized.
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