From 2000 to 2019, at least 9 million girls are ‘missing’ in India as a result of Female infanticide .
The term ‘missing’ is being used here because these girls should have been born and become a part of our country’s population but unfortunately it didn’t happen because they were killed before they were born.
Infanticide meaning killing the new born, which is a shameful act, and female infanticide means a deliberate attempt to kill baby girls within 1 year of their born. Most of the girls are killed in the womb of mothers over preferences for boys.
India: One of the highest countries that witnesses female infanticides in the world.
Among various countries such as China, India, and Pakistan female foeticide has always been a social issue.
According to a government report, India’s sex ratio (females per 1000 males)declined to 896 in 2015-17 from 898 in 2014-2016 which is a major cause of concern.
- In India, female foeticide or abortion of a female fetus is a heinous crime. The increasing irregularities amongst males and females have led to the sex ratio decline. Males are preferred over females because it is believed that they provide manual labour and are the bread earners for the family.
- Misuse of ultrasound technology for personal benefits by the specialists.
- According to many religious customs, a son is believed to relieve the soul from all your sins and take you to heaven, with such mindsets girls are put to death.
- The other reasons include financial burden or we can directly say dowry, which is a ritual in India. A huge amount of money is spent on a daughter’s marriage. For this, people also had to mortgage their properties or opt for taking loans.
- Lack of education, poverty, illicit trafficking of ladies, increased rape cases, gender discrimination and sex-selective abortion are some other violations that lead to a decrease in the number of females as compared to males.
Ways to prevent female foeticide
It’s an alarming situation in India because what we sow is what we will receive. Therefore,a decrease in the number of females will cause problems for our future generation as if the sex ratio gets affected it could lead to manifold social problems.
Though the number of female foeticides has reduced after the implementation of the preconception and pre-Natal diagnostic techniques Act of 1994, it requires more concentration.
- The government should take the necessary steps to eradicate the practice of dowry
- Women should be made more aware of their rights and the effects of abortion on their bodies.
- Medical professionals should educate their patients about gender equality.
- Government should come up with more initiatives like Beti Bachao and Beti Padhao
- Girl’s 100 percent education and women’s empowerment should be encouraged.
