sis was used to detect foetal abnormalities, but it is
gradually being used for determining the sex of the
foetus. Ultrasonography is a non-invasive technique
and has become more popular in remote rural areas
as well. These pre-natal diagnostic techniques have
been primarily misused for sex determination and
selective abortion of the female foetus. These techniques, over the time, are growing into a thriving business in India and it is appalling to see that this illegal
crime is being carried out even by doctors or clinics
undercover.
Female foeticide not only affects status of women,
but also has serious ecological and demographical
implications. Realising the grave implications due to
misuse of the pre-natal diagnostic techniques, the
Parliament has passed the Pre-Natal Diagnostic
Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse)
Act 1994 which came into force from 01.01.1996. This Act
provides for the regulation of the use of pre-natal diagnostic
techniques for the purpose of detecting genetic or metabolic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities or certain
congenital malformations or sex-linked disorders and for
the prevention of the misuse of such techniques for the
purpose of pre-natal sex determination leading to female
foeticide. The Act was modified in 2003 to target the blacksheep in medical profession – the ‘supply side’ of the practice of sex selection. Though the Act is well in place, but
its implementation is still far behind. We all know that enactment of laws only cannot rectify the solution. This menace has to be tackled at sociological & political levels as
well. A multi-pronged strategy has to be followed.
geting behavioural changes in society which, in turn, involves a long-term community based intervention, awareness programmes, programmes to promote girl children’s
rights, addressing myths related to sons/ daughters. Medical practitioners needs to be sensitised wherein ethical
code of conduct among the medical professionals to be
inculcated and monitoring of medical services available to
people is required. The enactment of any law is not only
sufficient, but its strict implementation is the need of an
hour. It is indeed high time for strengthening of women’s
rights through campaigns and awareness programmes
against dowry. Simple methods of complaint registration
against these crimes need to be developed. Regular assessment of indicators of status of women in the society
such as sex ratio, female mortality, literacy and economic
part