Sex-Selection And Decline In Child Sex Ratio Under PCPNDT Act
- IJLLR Journal
- Jul 13
- 2 min read
Sumit Pandey, Amity University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Dr Jyotsna Singh, Amity University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
A) ABSTRACT
The declining sex ratio remains a persistent issue and is a constant concern for the majority of Indian population. Despite the interventions addressing the female population, scientific advances and the modern medicine have been masquerading as a two-edged sword disrupting the socially constructed child ratio and enabling prospective parents to prevent the birth of a girl child. “Pre-conception and Pre-Natal diagnostic techniques (PCPNDT) Act 1994”, was enacted to prevent the widespread practice of female foeticide and to ensure that “pre-natal diagnostic techniques” are used only for legitimate medical purposes. “The Act was further amended in 2003 for improving the sex ratio in our country. However, even after its implementation, there has been no improvement in the sex ratio”.
While patriarchal traditions exist in many countries globally, they seem especially entrenched in many areas of the Indian subcontinent. Norms and beliefs stemming from patriarchy influence arrangements for marriage, rules of lineage, and the seclusion of women. Additionally, traditional divisions of labor shape social gender norms. As a result of this sociocultural framework, girls are often denied access to education and the opportunity to work outside their family homes.
Moreover, in many patriarchal societies, young girls are wed and are not entitled to inherit property. Getting married early and becoming mothers can disrupt their education, lead to social isolation, and limit their access to career training and options, resulting in restricted job prospects and making them financially reliant on their husbands and in-laws.
In addition, studies link such imbalance and low status of women with other forms of gender violence as well such as forced labour and sexual violence.
Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go to achieve full equality of rights and opportunities between men and women in the Indian subcontinent. Neglect of the girl child in terms of nutrition, education, health care and her overall development is just one facet; a more heinous practice against girls is female infanticide, female feticide and sex-selection practices. The obvious result is a sex ratio increasingly adverse to women. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to end the multiple forms of gender violence and secure equal access to quality education and health, economic resources and full participation in all aspects of life for both women and girls.
Keywords: Child sex ratio, PCPNDT Act, female foeticide, sex selection, gender gap.
