Gender selection, or determining a baby’s sex before birth, remains a contentious issue globally, especially in India. While modern technology can reveal the baby’s gender during pregnancy, India strictly prohibits gender selection due to social, cultural, and ethical concerns.
Understanding Gender Imbalance in India
India has struggled with a skewed sex ratio for decades. According to the 2011 Census, there were only 940 females for every 1,000 males. This imbalance is more pronounced in states like Haryana and Punjab, where the preference for male children is culturally ingrained.
Why Do Families Prefer Male Children?
The root cause lies in cultural beliefs and traditions. Some key reasons include:
- Economic Role of Sons: Sons are viewed as future breadwinners and caretakers of aging parents.
- Dowry System: Raising daughters is perceived as expensive due to dowry practices.
- Lineage Concerns: Sons carry forward the family name and legacy, while daughters traditionally leave after marriage.
These societal pressures often push families to seek gender selection techniques, despite its illegality.
The Law Against Gender Selection in India
To combat gender imbalance, the Indian government enacted the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act in 1994. This law bans:
- Prenatal gender determination using ultrasound scans or other technologies.
- Misuse of medical advancements for non-medical gender selection.
The PCPNDT Act primarily holds medical professionals accountable. Doctors or clinics found violating the law face severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
Why Is Gender Selection Banned?
- To Prevent Female Foeticide: The misuse of gender-determination techniques has led to alarming rates of female foeticide. This not only disrupts gender balance but also devalues the role of women in society.
- Ethical Concerns: Selecting a baby’s gender purely for societal preference undermines the principles of equality and dignity.
- Long-Term Consequences: A male-dominated population creates significant social issues, including a rise in crimes against women, human trafficking, and imbalanced marriage ratios.
Technologies Misused for Gender Selection
Despite legal restrictions, some families continue to misuse medical technologies like:
- Ultrasounds: Clinics illegally reveal the baby’s gender.
- Selective Abortions: When families prefer a boy, female foetuses are terminated.
- Gender-Specific Drugs: Unregulated herbal remedies containing steroids or testosterone, like ‘Shivlingi’ and ‘Majuphal’, claim to influence the baby’s gender. These substances are not only unscientific but also dangerous for mothers and foetuses.
Government Initiatives to Protect Girls
To address gender discrimination and promote equality, the government has launched initiatives like:
Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao: A campaign to raise awareness about the value of girls and provide education support.
Financial Incentives: Schemes like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana provide monetary benefits to families of girl children.
Anti-Dowry Programs: Laws and awareness drives discourage dowry practices that burden families with daughters.
Changing the Mindset: A Long Road Ahead
While laws are essential, the real solution lies in changing societal attitudes. Gender equality must start at home:
- Educating Communities: Promote the idea that daughters and sons are equally valuable.
- Empowering Women: Encourage women’s education and employment opportunities.
- Breaking Traditions: Reject outdated practices like dowry and emphasize shared family responsibilities.
The fight against gender selection is not just legal—it’s a cultural transformation that requires collective effort.
Conclusion
Gender selection is banned in India to protect the rights of unborn girls and restore gender balance. While laws like the PCPNDT Act are vital, true progress depends on eliminating deep-rooted societal biases. By empowering women, educating families, and valuing daughters, India can create a future where every child—regardless of gender—is welcomed and cherished.
