Female foeticide can be described as selective abortion of female unborn children because of preference of male offspring in society. Although such a practice is illegal, it is very common in India and particularly in states such as Haryana and Punjab. Illegal sex determination has been promoted by technological development such as ultrasound. This has led to a very skewed sex ratio and many other social ills. The government has come up with a number of laws and plans to combat the menace and strengthen the girl child.

What is Female Foeticide?

• The act of terminating pregnancy of a female fetus that has been determined to be a female.
• Patriarchal and son-biased to the core.
• Not a few people wittingly practice it although it is against Indian law.

Current Data and Trend in India

• As per the 2011 Census: Child Sex Ratio stood at 919 girls per 1000 boys.
• Gravely stricken states: Haryana (834), Punjab (846), Rajasthan (888).
• Higher achieving states: Arunachal Pradesh (972), Kerala (964).

Cases of Infanticide, Foeticide & PCPNDT Act (India: 2016–2021)

Cases of Infanticide, Foeticide & PCPNDT Act in Rajasthan (2016–2021)

Important Factors of Female Foeticide

• Social and Cultural Factors
  • Patriarchal approach towards girls as a monetary burden.
  • Dowry system and sons as successor.
• Economic Concerns
  • The tendency to invest in sons as a source of economic returns.
• Technological Misuse
  • Illegal usage of ultrasound and sex determination tests.
• Poor legislation enforcement
  • Loopholes in observing clinics and less convictions.
• The Concerns of Safety and Honour
  • Families fail to embrace female child birth due to increasing cases of crimes and fear of compromising the dignity of the girl.

Female Foeticide consequences 

• Gender Imbalance: less females in the population.
• Increase in Gender-Based Violence: Forced marriages, human trafficking, exploitation.
• Marriage crisis: Lack of brides that causes polyandry and cross marriages.
• Force reduction in the labor market: Decreased women share in the economy.
• Mental Health Influence: This causes more pressure and maltreatment on surviving women.
• Distorted Social Structures: Malfunction in family frameworks, and age relay.

Major Laws Against Female Foeticide

Government Schemes to Prevent Female Foeticide

Measures taken to eradicate female Foeticide

• Tight Regulations of the PNDT Act.
• Spreading awareness campaigns such as: save the girl child.
• Observing the Clinics with the view of the abuse of diagnostic instrumentation.
• The community sensitization by NGO.
• Girls and women Empowerment Programs.

Conclusion

Abortion of the female foetus is not only a question of law, it is a well-rooted malpractice. It can only be dealt with through a powerful enforcement of the law combined with social restructuring. Education, empowerment, and shift of thoughts are the only way by which India can regain imbalance in gender and social justice