Stop Killing Daughters for God’s Sake !!

Dr. Sharda Jain: Chairperson, Delhi Gynaecologist Forum
Mrs. Usha Gupta: Principal, Vatsalya Vocational Training Centre

In the words of India’s  President, Mr A.P.J .Abdul Kalam , “the female foeticide statistics are indicative of women’s traumatised existence. No place is safe for them, not even  their’s mother’s wombs. They are put to death before  they are born”.

Despite taking great strides in almost all spheres of life, the disgraceful practice of female foeticide continues  in the country unabated. The discovery of 35 female fetuses  from a well in a township  of Punjab  goes to reiterate the fact that the practice of female foeticide is continuing  indiscriminately and flourishing , despite the medical fraternity claims to the contrary. Delhi, Punjab , Haryana and Himachal Pradesh , have  the dubious reputation of low male-female ratio.

The child sex ratio is powerful indicator of social health of any society. The declined child sex ratio is particularly worrisome, as it points to the increase incidence of sex determination and then elimination of girls by practicing female foeticide. According  to a  recent report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), up to 50 million girls and women  are missing. In India alone 1 million  Sex Selective Abortions  are done yearly .

Some shocking data, relating to Delhi , has been  released in last one year. The  overall sex ratio is 868 females per 1000 males. Gender ratios in some affluent colonies indicate the continuing preference for sons and bias against girl child. And  this  bias is most  pronounced  in the  urban areas than in rural areas. To cite a few examples, in the south  of the city, urban Defence  Colony’s sex ratio is 883 females to 1000 males, whereas the rural area fares better with 987 females. Similarly, it is 856 to 1000 in elitist

Vasant Vihar, as against 887 to 1000 in its rural zone. In West Delhi’s affluent Patel Nagar, the urban ratio is 866:1000, and the rural is 937: 1000. Punjabi Bagh’s ratio is a dismal 840 girls. It is the second worst. Across Yamuna, East Delhi’s Preet Vihar, reaches the  nadir, with 780 girls.

TIME HAS COME TO DO INTROSPECTION WHERE ARE WE HEADING??.
Just close your eyes and imagine the scenario after 10-15 years, when these 250 – 300 odd young boys will not get a girl for marriage? There will be sudden increase in sex violence, abductions, rapes,  , forced polyandry, prostitutions. Then your beloved mother, wife, daughter, grand-daughter  will not remain safe. You may repent for all your mistakes, but you will not be able to correct. You can take some positive steps today only.