woman and the resultant social norms that stem from such
conditioning of ages.
the divine objective will be a new world where a woman
occupies her fearless seat and showers her love on mankind all the more than ever.
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 fulfill the demands of prospective parents. Medical malpractice in this area is flourishing, and
bans on gender selection have had little effect as exemplified by a loud banner on a prominent hoarding in Mumbai
declaring, “better spend ` 500 now rather than ` 50,000
later!” with a girl child as a backdrop. A shopper’s choice
which outrageously flaunts abortion today cheaper versus
future marriage tomorrow!
In 1994, the Government of India passed the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of
Sex Selection) Act with the aim of preventing female foeticide. The implementation of this Act was slow. It was later
amended and replaced in 2002 by the Pre-natal Diagnostic
Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act
without ever having been properly implemented.
As a doctor committed to women’s health, I believe we
have a unique and very pertinent role in effecting this paradigm shift. To send out a message to educated young
women at the first point of contact in our clinics that a
woman is an asset to the family, a source of pride and if
they set an example by defying any social pressure to
abort a female foetus, the less educated will follow. To
inculcate a sense of pride in a woman of being a woman.
This measure would be, but half hearted, if not supported
by a vigilant and ethical medical community wherein each
and every radiologist and gynaecologist would pledge that
they are vehemently against gender bias and the violation
of basic human rights by inculcating a strong ethical code
of conduct that prevents them from participation in this
heinous crime.
Task at the hand of those who understand and see through
all this is to save the victim, bring the perpetrators to
justice and institute methods to bring a shift in mass consciousness. Superior end to be served is to finally give a
woman the acknowledgement of her greatness, gratitude
for ‘creation’ and love as a return gift. Improving sex ratio
shall be a bi-product, much the concern of economists. But
We doctors from all streams can support this cause, as we
are privileged to be able to influence the patients’ and their
families psyche. We can play a vital role in bringing about
a revolution and curtailing this evil which has shaken our
social fabric.
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