Research Report on Evidence based Causes of Female Foeticide Among Economically Well Off Communities in Punjab: Strategies to Change

the Mindset

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CONTENTS

Chapter I: Introduction Magnitude of Problem Review of Literature Chapter II: Methodology Objectives Inception of the Project Study Universe Sampling Size and Procedure Source of data collection Tools used in Data Collection Tabulation and Analysis of Data Results and Discussions Chapter III: Socio-economic Background of Respondents Chapter IV: Gender Bias, Sex Selective Tests and Sex Selective Abortions Chapter V : Pre-Birth Detection Test Services and Economically Well off families Chapter VI : Reasons for Sex Based family Composition and Violation of Women Specific Legislations

Chapter VII : Multiple Stake Holders Involvement and Determination of Cause of Sex Selection Tests in Economically Rich Communities

Chapter VII : Inter-sector Strategies to Change the mindset for curbing Episodes of female Foeticide

Chapter VIII : Inter Sector Measures for Enforcement of PC_PNDT Act (1994/2003) : Socio-cultural and Political means to Reverse the Trend of Declining Sex Ratio Recommendations References Executive Summary

C CH HA AP PT TE ER R1 1

INTRODUCTION: In a normal world, the female population equals or slightly surpasses the number of males. Except in India, that is, where the situation is just the opposite, where the gender ratio or the number of females to males is known to be among the most imbalanced in the world especially among the people representing higher economic order. 35 million fewer females than males were registered in India over this particular decade. The census also revealed that the phenomenon has reached high proportions in states which had no prior history or practice of female infanticide, or where forms of discrimination against girls were not strongly evident earlier. There are a series of inferences which illustrates that among economically rich communities amniocentesis and other diagnostic techniques are viewed as important ways of arriving at a balanced family, which in turn, has reduced the birth rate and controlled population growth in such communities. If an equal representation of a male and a female child for an economically well of couple can be considered as constituting a balanced family, the presence of only male children should not be considered as balanced family. A considerable percentage of parents in rich communities still argue that female foeticide is a powerful method of lowering the birth rate without coercion. But is not female foeticide coercion?

Female foeticide is a unique form of violence against women. The word abortion has meaning Offensive and truly, the practice made to take away the wholeness of a woman is an offense which resorts to taking away the life of her own unborn child. Millennium development goals highlight the priority accorded to gender equality in economically well of communities and womens right as core issues of development. However, in northern India social group with strong patriarchal norms and high degree of son preference predominantly represent higher economic ladder. For instance, the natural biological laws of human reproduction of mankind for balancing its natural sex ratio, has been distorted by man-made norms, customs, traditions, religious beliefs and more recently by sophisticated medical technology to result lower sex ratio in India .

The inhabitants of Punjab, who pioneered the green revolution in the last century, are now heading for a devastating economic and social fall out in the near future due to sharply declining (882 in 1991; 874 in 2001) sex ratio. The reason of son-mania appears to be the socio-cultural, economic and political ones. Among others, the predominant cause is the agrarian set-up associated with the ownership of land and the social infrastructure sustained by Punjabis that accords a low status to women. No doubt the boards displayed in nursing homes that Sex determination tests are not conducted here is just a strategy to deceive the authorities. The reports of recovery of female fetuses from drains, garbage dumps, public lavatories etc. have created shock and protest in the state. Legal instruments like MTP Act, 1971 and PC-PNDT Act (1994/2003) and their subsequent amendments could not check this menace. Governmental efforts through ad-campaigns,

documentaries, workshops etc. have proved inadequate in this regard especially among the mothers belonging to the higher economic strata. In the economically upper section of the society voluntary and non-governmental organizations too are
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still grouping in the dark. While studies on the declining sex ratio have tended to be quantitative, looking at biological or demographic factors, there has been a lack of data on prevailing economic aspects. For this reason, International Union for Health Promotion and Education Punjab Chapter (IUHPE), is documenting the factors contributing to this male and female imbalance in Ludhiana District among the economically well off families. MAGNITUDE OF PROBLEM:

According to the 2001 Census, the sex ratio in India is 933 females per 1000 males. Although there is a marginal improvement from the 1991 Census, where it was 927, it continues to be significantly adverse towards women. Indias sex ratio of 933 is the lowest amongst the most populous countries in the world, namely Pakistan (938), China (944), Bangladesh (953), Indonesia (1004), Nigeria (1016), Japan (1041), Brazil (1025), USA (1029) and Russia (1140). Of these 10 countries, six have a sex ratio above unity, meaning a population of 1000 females per 1000 males. The sex ratio in India over the past 100 years has shown an alarming decline from 972 in 1901, to 946 in 1991 and 933 in 2001. The child sex ratio has declined drastically since 1961, from 976 to 945 in 1991 and 925 in 2001. A large number of states like Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Haryana have recorded a decline of 50 or more points in the ratio since 1991. The ratio has declined to less than 900 girls per 1000 boys in states like Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Some of the most prosperous regions have the lowest ratios, such as the southwest district of Delhi (845) and Ahmedabad (814). The worst performing districts include Fatehgarh Sahib in Punjab (754), Kurukshetra in Haryana (770) and Mahesana in Gujarat (798).

The states and Union Territories that have shown a sharp decline in CSR are Punjab (82), Haryana (59), Himachal Pradesh (54), Chandigarh (54), Gujarat (50) and Delhi (50), though they are economically quite developed with high female literacy rates. SEX DETERMINATION TESTS India is indeed one of the few countries to have legalized abortions under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act in 1972. Abortion is legal in instances where pregnancy carries a risk to the foetus or to the mother, or in case of pregnancy caused by contraceptive failure or otherwise. However, the fact is that abortion services are being provided on demand by an increased number of registered and unregistered service providers. It is estimated that nearly six million abortions are performed every year outside the ambit of the Medical termination of Pregnancy Act (1972) majority are among the women representing higher economic order. Three major prenatal diagnostic tests that are being used as sex determination tests are: amniocentesis (normally performed after 15-17 weeks of pregnancy); chorionic villi sampling (more expensive and normally performed around the tenth week of pregnancy); and ultrasound (least expensive and normally performed around the tenth week of pregnancy). With the introduction of ultrasonography, sex determination has spread like an epidemic in many towns and villages especially among the male child seekers who can pay hefty charges for the sex selection test.

STEPS TAKEN TO CURB FEMALE FOETICIDE In 1985 in Maharashtra, and Campaign against Sex Selective Abortion (CASSA) in Tamil Nadu came up. FASDSP lobbied to regulate the practice of sex determination in Maharashtra by formulating a separate
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legislation, instead of modifying the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971 that had the danger of curtailing womens right to abort. As a result, the Maharashtra Regulation of Use of Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1988 came into being. Serious drawbacks in the State legislation and poor implementation caused the awakening of interest in this issue across the entire country. A move for an All India ban on sex determination test gained momentum and the Prenatal Diagnostic Tests (Regulation and Prohibition of Misuse) Act, 1994, (the PNDT Act), came into existence. Though the PNDT Act came into force in January 1996, no evidence of decline in the practice of female foeticide was evident even after four years. In the light of new techniques available to determine sex before conception, it was felt necessary to amend the Act. With the result, the Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Amendment Act, 2002, came into force. Also the PNDT Act 1994 was renamed as the Preconception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 (National Commission for Women)

REVIEW OF LITERATURE : Historically, female infanticide has been in existence since long. Girl infants have been known to be killed by rubbing poison on the mothers breast, by feeding infants with milk of errukam flower or oleander berries, by using sap of calotropis plant, paddy grains, giving sleeping tablets or by simply burying the girl infants alive. Law banned this heinous practice in 1870, more than a century ago. The use of abortion was legalized from April, 1971, in case of contraceptive failure leading to grave injury to womens physical or

mental health. There was notable decline in fertility without the evidence of substantial increase in the use of contraceptives between 1990-1998 in Punjab and Haryana as revealed by the recent National Family Health Survey ( NFHS -2 report), which brings us to the point that there is a need to examine role of the practice of induced abortions. Various studies have brought to the surface the practice of sex determination test and sex selective abortions in the State of Punjab (Arnold et al 1988, Das Gupta and Bhat 1997). The growing belief that a girl adds to the burden of a household has led to a surge in the number of female foeticide cases. This macabre scenario has exacerbated further due to the mushrooming of sex-determination clinics across the State. Surprisingly, the dip in the sex ratio has been more pronounced in the affluent cities, although small towns haven`t escaped the malaise either. The boards displayed in nursing homes that Sex determination tests are not conducted here is just a ploy to hoodwink the authorities. The reports of recovery of female fetuses from drains, garbage dumps, public lavatories etc. have created shock and public outrage in the state (Rao. R., March 2004). Legal instruments like MTP Act, 1971 and PNDT Act, 1994 and their subsequent amendments could not check this menace. Governmental efforts through ad-campaigns, documentaries, workshops etc. have proved inadequate in this regard. The voluntary and non-governmental organizations too are still groping in the dark. On April 28 ,2008 (IANS) Terming female foeticide inhuman and uncivilized , Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh on Monday hit out at developed states like Gujarat, Punjab and Delhi for their dividing sex ratio. Child sex ratio statistics in the 0-6 age group for the past four decades have been showing a continuous decline. The decline in girls per 1,000 boys from 962 in 1981 to 927 in the year 2001 is indeed alarming, Man Mohan Singh said while addressing the Save the Girl Child conference here.
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The census figures illustrate that it is some of the richer states of the country where the problem is most acute and these states include Punjab which had only 798 girls (per 1,000 boys), Haryana 819, Delhi 868 and Gujarat 883 girls per 1,000 boys in the 2001 Census. This indicates that growing economic prosperity and education levels have not led to a corresponding mitigation in this acute problem, the prime minister pointed out. Man Mohan Singh reiterated that gender related deprivation is an interlocked situation. Female illiteracy, obscurantist social practices like child marriage or early marriage, dowry, poor nutritional entitlements, taboos on women in public places all make the Indian women and especially the Indian girl child extremely vulnerable. Discrimination against women begins in our very homes, even before the girl child is born. One of the most inhuman, uncivilized and reprehensible practices is the practice of female foeticide. The patriarchal mindset and preference for male children is compounded by unethical conduct on the part of some medical practitioners assisted by unscrupulous parents who illegally offer sex determination services. SCENARIO IN PUNJAB The inhabitants of Punjab, who pioneered the green revolution in the last century, are now heading for a devastating economic and social fall out in the near future due to sharply declining (882 in 1991; 874 in 2001) sex ratio ( The Indian Express Sep, 2004). Recent incidence of female foeticide at Patana adjacent to Patiala, home town of then Chairperson, Punjab State PNDT Act Monitoring Committee, where numerous female foetuses were constantly dumped in a pit after induced abortions by registered medical practitioners for number of years has shocked the whole world. Chandigarh, the City beautiful has the dubious distinction of having the lowest sex ratio (773) in whole of the country despite its high literacy rate of 81.76%.

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The provisional figures also startlingly reveal that the ratio of females to males in the 0-6 age-group in the state has fallen considerably from 875 in 1991 to 793 in 2001, a fall of 82 points. The highest fall was in Fatehgarh Sahib district where it plummeted from 874 to 754 followed by Kapurthala (from 879 to 775), Gurdaspur (878 to 775) and Patiala (871 to 770). Fatehgarh Sahib had the lowest girl child ratio in the 0-6 age group. Both Fatehgarh Sahib and Ludhiana topped the list in the dropping ratio of females to males since 1991? .871 to 851 and 844 to 824 respectively. With 11.4% increase in literacy rate during the last decade (58.5% in 1991; 69.95% in 2001), The juvenile sex ratio of 793 compared to overall sex ratio of 874 is a cause of concern in one of the most prosperous States of India ( Censes of India, 2001). Women are viewed as a liability because they are seen to need protection and because the benefits of investing in them accrue to the families into which they are married. These factors along with a plethora of cultural and religious beliefs constitute the root causes for why sons are preferred and why daughters are not desired. As per 2001 census, Punjab has one of the lowest sex ratios in the country. Within the State, Hoshiarpur has the highest sex ratio (935). Where as , Ludhiana has the lowest ratio of females (824). The ratio of male and female in the lowest age group in Punjab is most disturbing. Punjab has the lowest child sex ratio 0-6 years (793) in the country as per the 2001 census figures. Fatehgarh Sahib, which has a common boundary line with Ludhiana district, has the lowest child sex ratio (754). Ludhiana District stands at 814 as per data derived from 2001 census. None of the districts of Punjab record more than 850 girls per 1000 boys. In fact 10 of the 17 districts record a drastic reduction in the child sex ratio to less than 800 girls for every 1000 boys. In February , 2006. Civil Surgeon of Nawashahr District of Punjab, Dr. Dalip Kumar admitted that nursing homes are charging any thing between Rs
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5,000 to 10,000 for a package which involves scanning the foetus and conducting an MTP if it is female. He further pinpointed that the middle women pocket a hefty commission for every case brought by them.

C CH HA AP PT TE ER R II1 1 METHODOLOGY: OVERALL OBJECTIVE:

To conduct evidence based action research focusing on means to reverse the trend of pre-birth elimination of females and evolve multi stake holder strategies for the said purpose.
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SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: The study has accomplished the following specific objectives: 1) How gender bias variables are encouraging sex selective tests and sex selective abortions if the foetus happened to be female 2) Collected quantitative and qualitative evidences focusing on utilization of pre birth determination test services by economically well off pregnant women giving effect to sex selective foeticide. 3) Conducted evidence based participatory action research by involving multistake holders both at determining the causes of sex selection in specific class based on economic stratification and involved them in determining workable solution to the skewed sex ratio.

4) Ascertained reasons for sex based family composition and violation of women specific legislations such as PNDT Act (1994) , Hindu Marriage Act (1955) and Domestic Violence Act (2006) among the couple accomplishing higher economic ladder. 5) Worked out appropriate ways and means of reversing the existing trends of declining girl child sex ratio by community based multi-stake holder approach. 6) Examined multi-stake holder strategies at the periphery level and develop specific multi-stake holder strategies to play crucial role in combating the episodes of female foeticide. 7) Worked out inter-sector strategies for changing mindsets evolving multi-stake holders for curbing episodes of sex selective abortions.

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8) Determined inter-sector measures towards enforcement of PNDT Act (1994/2003) and recommend specific ways to reverse the trend of declining sex-ratio.

Inception of Project :

Said exploratory research study became operative from 21 June 2009. The research study staff as per the pattern was recruited and sensitized towards the aims and objectives and salient feature of the present research study . Study team was also made conversant with the different welfare schemes launched by the Govt. of Punjab and Central Govt . to protect the interest of the girl child and ensured its healthy growth and development in a sustainable manner .

Study Universe:

The study in question was design with a specific purpose to arrive at certain conclusions by ascertaining realistic answers to certain searching questions from the economically well off families of Punjab . Majority of these questions which had been reiterated for an appropriate answer are very important from the point of view of Gender Activist and the social scientist as well as the planners and the demographers. Compilation, tabulation and analysis of data obtained during the course of this study have solved many unanswered questions associated with the curbing of episodes of pre-birth elimination of female foetus among the mothers belonging to the higher economic order. It could have been really interesting to have a wider universe of study. However, keeping in view the resources available with the International Union for Health Promotion and Education ,South East Asia Regional Bureau , Punjab Chapter
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in terms of men ,money and material and the direction from the funding agency i. e Research Unit, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt. of India ,New Delhi study universe was delimited to one of the Sub-Divisions of Ludhiana District of Punjab.

Sampling Size and Procedure:

From the said Ludhiana Sub Division, one Development Block ,out of its four Development Blocks was selected through simple random sampling method. From the concerned Development block 20 villages / colonies were selected through stratified random sampling procedure. Thereafter , as outlined earlier in the `latest draft of proposal of pinpointing the objectives and the methodology especially the sampling procedure , a sample of nearly 150 respondents among the higher economic range population were selected from each of the 20 villages / colonies through simple random sampling method. The total sample of 3000 respondents as stipulated in the research proposal has been drawn by the study team by the end of January 2010. Methodology and Source of Data Collection: It was too difficult for the research team to work on the closed and personal subject like Sex Selective Tests and Sex Selective Abortions. Therefore, help of Male Multipurpose Health Workers and Female Health Workers was sought to ascertain an evidence based causes of female foeticide and identify multi-stake holders .In addition to this at certain occasions support of Traditional Birth Attendants , Anganwari Workers and trained dais as well as Village Panchayats Female members was also taken . Help of community leaders, social activists, religious leaders, village dais and traditional healers was sought to make the sampling more realistic and purposeful.

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During data collection all the possible painstaking efforts were undertaken to take the women activists and respondents in to confidence to win their confidence by ensuring them that the information they provide will be kept secret at every cost and remain confined to the study purpose. On the basis of pretesting report, the schedule that acted, as main source of data collection during study was further improved. Unexpectedly, a note worthy section of the beneficiaries of sex selective services and sex selective abortion facilities seeker was not ready to disclose their exact pregnancy status and pregnancy orders due to the fear that the information provided them to research team percolate further and create social and legal implication at the family, society and government level for the concerned couple. To overcome the said hurdle the services of the above stated paramedical and allied health practitioners were also requisitioned During the last six months, confidence building among the population of the area adopted under study remained one of the challenging tasks for the research study team so that the realistic and meaning full data without any bias or prejudice are obtained. To accomplish the above task, help of local village opinion leaders and registered medical practitioners of the areas under study was also taken in identifying the different genetical labs , nursing homes and diagnostic centers extending sex determination related services through under ground means . To increase the validity and chances of presentation of findings of the study in question in a more scientific ,rational and useful manner to the concerned members of the community, Gender Activists and the Policy Makers , study team appointed under the project in question is got necessary technical support from Expert Committee consisting of ,Sociologist ,Economists ,Obstetrician, academician and public health experts . At the same time during the span of last six months (Aug 2009 to January 2010) Office bearers of International Union for Health and Education ,South East Asia Bureau , Punjab
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Chapter made a series of visits to the sampling areas to concurrently and conjunctively supervise and inspire the research team during field operation and data collection work . Said attempt had paid good dividend in respect to the qualitative and the quantitative traits of data obtained by the study team .It not only helped us to come across the day to day snags and loopholes in procuring the unbiased data and non co-operative attitudes on the part of some of the respondents but also kept the research team and like minded gender issue sensitive members of the International Union for Health Promotion and Education ,Punjab Chapter working to gathers to evolve multi-stack holders strategies for the said purpose .

Tool Used in Data Collection: In whole of the study primary source of data collection has been the schedule developed by the study team .Said schedule is having a series of questions to collect appropriate data for analysis purpose so that answers to the searching questions raised during the course of review of literature be given and the over all as well as specific objectives of the research study accomplished . The schedule is having a series of open ended and closed questions regarding evidence based causes of female foeticide and development of strategies to change the mind set. To make the sampling more purposeful involvement of the Community leaders, Social Activists, Religious leaders and the Faith Healers and Traditional Birth Attendants was also encouraged. While filing up the schedule all the possible efforts were made to ensure the respondents and their families that the information provided by them will be kept secret and not disclosed to any of the formal or informal leaders of their community or the Government functionaries . Since the schedule was pretested on 20 respondents and modified before administering, there was hardly any problem in filling the same. Only the main hurdle and time consuming task was the wining of confidence of the targeted group of population and especially the respondents was
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before the study team. The said crucial issue was nicely tackled with the support and co-operation of the community local gender sensitive resources.

Tabulation and Analysis of Data: Research Team has recently completed the tabulation work pertaining of the data collected from the 20 villages /colonies during the last six months .From February 2nd week onwards data is being shifted to the different Code Cards. The said tabulation work is being done strictly on the bases on over all and specific objectives of the study in question . International Union for Health Promotion and Education, South Asia Regional Bureau, Punjab Chapter completed the tabulation and analysis work as per its action plan outlined in the original proposal of the study. Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB), infancy stage and under 10 year was taken as the only indicator of male and female sex ratio in the City of Ludhiana. This also reflected the existing trends in sex determination tests and sex selective abortions leading to mercilessly killing of the girl child in the womb.

C CH HA AP PT TE ER R 3 3 SOCIO-ECONOMIC BACKGROUND OF RESPONDENTS

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The declining sex ratio in the country has sent shockwaves across all sections of society. It seems that the socio-economic factors are so embedded in the psyche of the people that they even accept wrong ways of life for the sake of economical superiority. It is not poverty alone that kills baby girls the choices made by her parents and family have a greater role to play in curtailing her life. Custom, tradition and economic values shape these choices and when resources are meager; these can make a difference between life and death. Significantly, microlevel studies have shown that baby girls are more likely to die in a family where there is no older male sibling, pointing to strong circumstantial evidence of discriminatory care. An attempt has been made to review studies which have focused on socio-economic aspects related to this complex phenomena occurring in the economic ally well off families. Socio-economic background of the respondents cover the present study was worked out and the same has been presented through the following figures. 3.1 Occupational Status of Respondents :

Fig 1 : Distribution of Respondents by Occupational Status

80 60 40 20 55 45 17 Service Husband Wife 0 Housewife/unemployed 75

0 8 Business/Self employment

Figure 1 : Showing the Occupation of Husband and Wife

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The data in above figure demonstrated that 54 percent of respondents husband was business and around 46 percent of the males were in the service. Data of the female respondents highlighted that only a 15 percent of women were in service or running their own enterprise such as beauty parlours , boutique and coaching centers etc to supplement the income of the family and rest of that were housewives. Due to too low percentage of women standing on their own feet so far as their self reliance is concerned data in the table in question is in agreement with the inferences drawn by the various studies lamenting that women in India is being looked down as commodity or as second class citizens. Said noteworthy percentage of women is not only prone to be robbed of their dignity and pride outside their houses but they also faces illtreatment and other atrocities within the four walls of her house. They are considered as an object of male sexual enjoyment and reproduction of children. They are discriminated at two levels, firstly they suffer because of their gender and secondly due to economic dependence. In majority of cases, women lived inside house and do not go outside to do outside work. But it was mostly the case because those women themselves enjoyed being inside house and not because they were treated as maid servants. In a similar study conducted by NIPCCD (2008), on Sociocultural Study of Declining Sex Ratio in Delhi and Haryana, the occupational status of respondents of the women was primarily the housewives. 3.2 Educational Status of respondents

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Educational Status among Respondents

Husband Wife 42.2 40.4 24 12.8

28.8 24.2 18.6 21

Up to 10

Up to 10+2

Graduation

Post Graduation

Fig 2 : Showing the education of the Husband and Wife --------------------------------------------------------------------------------\ Data in the above figure show that around 18 percent- of the respondents (mothers) had education up to 10th class and the rest had schooling above 10th standard and around 21 percent are above 11th and undergraduate. 40 percent of the respondents had educational attainment up to graduation level and same is the level of educational advancements in respect of their male partners and around 24 percent of the mothers are well educated having the post graduation qualification as compared to their 13 per cent male counterparts .The said trend makes us to think that the education is not a priority among the males as compared to female, especially in the economically well off communities. . The first is that sex imbalance at birth seems to be particularly concentrated in households with high education and wealth. This pattern suggests that dominance of the son-preference norm is unlikely to be offset, at least in the short term, by socio-economic development. Second is that the overall problem of sex imbalance seems to arise through out India, including in Kerala,4,5 which has often been characterized as a model state for social development and gender equality. At the same time there are inferences which reiterate that problem of sex

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imbalance seems to be a function of socio-economic status and not the geographical concern (Almond et al, 2009).

3.3 Economic background of the Respondents

Economic Status of the Respondents

60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Monthly income of family up to 25,000 up to 35,000 up to 45,000 up to 50,000 and above 21% 48%

17%

14%

Fig 3.3 : Showing the economic status of the family Research team has tried to find out the different economic strata among the respondents. Near about 50% of the respondents having income level between 25,000 to 35,000 per month . Nearly one -third of the respondents were having income of Rs 35,000-45,000 per month and 17% of the respondents were in the income range of Rs 50,000 and above. From the data cited above it appears that son preference varies by income, but selective abortion of female foetus is more common in richer households, presumably because they can afford ultrasound and abortion services more readily than uneducated or poorer households. Recent increases in per-person income might have thus contributed to increased selective abortion of girls in
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Punjab. In other words, the propensity to use sex-selective abortion rises sharply with socio-economic status, more than compensating for the lower levels of son preference expressed by high-status women. The above findings are in agreement with Sinha et al (2011) In as much as sex-selective abortion is innovative behavior that diffuses from higher to lower socioeconomic groups, Sex ratios at birth may increase further with development despite declining son preference. Son preference varies little by income, but selective abortion of girls is more common in richer households, presumably because they can afford ultrasound and abortion services more readily than uneducated or poorer households. Recent increases selective abortion of girls. Although large in absolute terms, selective abortion of female fetuses still accounts for only a minority of all annual female pregnancies (about 2 4%, or roughly0306 million, of the expected 133137 million pregnancies in 2010 carrying a girl). Women with a first order or second-order girl are most clearly at risk of aborting subsequent female fetuses. We did not yet see any clear evidence of selective abortion of firstborn female fetuses. This is partly because India does not enforce a one-child policy, which led to the selective abortion of firstborn female fetuses in China. However, selective abortions of first-order girls might increase if fertility drops further, particularly in urban areas. (Das Gupta et al May, 2011) 3.4 Age of the Respondents during 1st Pregnancy in literacy and per-person income in punjab might have thus contributed to increased

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Fig 3.4 : Age of respondents at ist Pregnancy

40 32.8 30 20 10.8 10 0 0 > 18 18 & > 21 & > 24 & > 27 & > 21 24 Above 27 30 30 1.1 1.2 7.9 28.7 27.9 20.5 16.8 18.1 Husband Wife 35.2

Numerous studies have shown that females who conceive at young age in their teens, experiences a high risk of maternal and infant and child mortality rate than who commence their child bearing at later age. It is quite interesting to note from figure 3.4 that one-tenth of the respondents (women) had their 1st pregnancy before attaining the age of 21 years. In 17 per cent of cases the age of the husband was in the age group between 21-24 years at the time of 1st pregnancy of their female counterpart. Data related also document that age at marriage, which is increasing at considerable pace, seems to be related to the economic structure of the society. The said notable pace in the increase of age of marriage is playing significant role in combating the episodes of teenage pregnancies. Since the respondents represent cross section of the society, representing Utter Pradesh,Bihar, Uttaranchal and MP etc, in such study the association of marriage and age at 1st pregnancy a distinction must be made between the two stages of marriage that occurred namely the formal marriage when the ritual ceremony takes place, and the GOUNA, or effective marriage when the couple starts cohabitation. In the present study GOUNA was not practiced and was insignificant.
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There is little doubt that the kinship factor governing the status of women and their reproductive health in the areas under review are responsible for the absence of adolescent marriage. In turn early marriage itself tends to increase a womens lack of control and render her unlikely to exert any decision regarding sex-determination rest and sex-selective abortions.

CHAPTER

GENDER BIAS, SEX SELECTIVE TESTS AND SEX SELECTIVE ABORTIONS Specific objective number one of the study was to ascertain that how for gender bias variables are encouraging sex selective tests and sex selective abortions if the foetus happened to be female . It is a corroborative fact that excessive female mortality, particularly in childhood, is a grave indictment of son preference cultural norms and perceptions that defeat the biological head start with which the female is naturally endowed. Among the economically well off communities this one of the worst forms of violence against women and a symptom of the discrimination social, cultural, and political-that continues through out the life cycle of a woman have been substantially reported. In this economically rich section of the society on account of her gender a girl child

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has less access to health care , education and professional exposure as compared to her male counterpart and exploited economically. Extremely high levels of gender discrimination against females have been reported in the provision of health care, nutrition, education and resource allocation in northern and western states of India. For instance, the natural biological laws of human reproduction of mankind for balancing its natural sex ratio, has been distorted by man-made norms, customs, traditions, religious beliefs and more recently by sophisticated medical technology to result lower sex ratio in India. Figure 4.1 given below throw light on the association between birth order by family composition and options of sex selective tests.

4.1 Birth order ,family composition and Sex Selection test

Fig4.1 : Birth order by sex composition and Sex Selective tests

120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Ist birth order 2nd Birth Order 3rd Birth Order and above 35.8 25.6 1.8 20 38.6 98.2 80 64.6 32.4 Respondents by birth order Yes No

Fig 1: Showing the Birth Order and Sex Selection Tests

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Data in figure 4.1 demonstrate that among the economically well off families 25 per cent of respondents with 1.2 percent of respondents admitted that they underwent sex selection test during the first birth order. Said negligible number indicate that sex selection is not the priority in the case of primi-gravida mothers .Said figure further explore that out of 30 per cent respondents with earlier one living girl child , 20 percent of the respondents used the sex selection service during 2nd order birth . In other words to delimit the family size within desirable family composition, 66 percent of the respondents opted for the sex selection test during the second birth orders. It is quite disheartening to note that out of 38 per cent of the mothers with two living girl child 30 per cent under went sex selection test during the 3rd or the higher birth orders raising the sex selection adoption rate to 79 per cent. On the whole results drawn from the analysis of data pinpoint that among the women representing higher economic strata, a sizeable per centage prefers sex selection tests to curtail the size of their family without compromising with need of the male child. The sex ratio for third-order births, if the two previous births were girls, was even lower, but the declines between 1990 and 2005 were not statistically significant. This indicates that among the mothers representing higher economic ladders value of abortion increases and is much higher by birth order. It is evident from the data of the study that as the pregnancy order increases, the chances of its discontinuation and abortions also increase. Data corroborate that the demand for discontinuation of pregnancies is greater in the higher birth order, although this is often not explicitly stated in the literature. From the study in question it was evident that among the women hailing from higher economic hierarchy , sex ratio for any first borns or for second-order births, if the firstborn was a boy, did not show any trend of change .

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The said observations are in line with the

NFHS Survey -1, II and III the

conditional sex ratio for second-order births, if the firstborn was a girl, had an annual mean decline of 052% between 1990 and 2005 is lack of statistical significance is partly due to the smaller absolute numbers of higher-order births than first-order or second-order births between 1990 and 2005 (p for trend=070 and 0023, respectively), staying near the natural range of 950975 girls per 1000 boys. While the situation is changing very gradually ,among the economically well of segment of population as an adult the average women has low status are excluded from the public sphere and is denied the right to influence with respect to society, family decision-making and even her own body. Millennium development goals highlight the priority accorded to gender equality and womens right as core issues of development. Achieving goals relating to gender quality and gender empowerment are a difficult task among the economically well of communities where every thing is determined on the bases of economical gains. No doubt, South Asian countries and India are societies with strong patriarchal norms and high degree of son preference. Consequently, gender discriminations are pervasive. This has been a long recognized problem with resurgence of research interest on the subject with the changing of socio-cultural scenario due to the technological advancement for which economically advanced communities are the key gainers. Specific objective two of the present study was to collect quantitative and qualitative evidences focusing on utilization of prebirth determination test services by economically well off pregnant women giving effect to sex selective foeticide. While working on the objective of the study cited above research team has made deep insight to find out the linkage between the birth order of the child, its sex and utilization of medical services resulting in to the aborting of the female foetus.

28

Fig 4.2 : Showing the Birth Order, Utilization of Sex Selection Abortion Services and Composition of Male and Females

Fig 4.2 Showing the Birth Order, Sex Selection Abortions and Composition of Male and Females
44.6 50 40 14.9 30 20 10 0 Ist Birth Order 2nd Birth Order 3rd Birth Order Abortion Female Male 10.2 Female 46.2 Male 47.2 37.9 48.1 33.6 18.3

Abortion

Fig 4.2 : Showing the Birth Order, Sex Selection Abortions and Composition of Male and Females

As shared earlier, in the higher economic group, if sex selective abortion is occurring one would expect it to be common for the first birth order than births of higher birth order , because sex of the child becomes more critical, if one is
29

planning to stop having children soon. Results drawn from the analysis of data brings on surface that among the mothers there is deep divergence in the actual number of conceptions taken place during the last 3 years and their continuation. Out of 1st pregnancies, 90.8 per cent were continued. The above percentage was on lower side in the case of 2nd and 3rd pregnancies (HBO). The said results goes hand in hand with the survey recently conducted by Punjab Health System Corporation wherein, it was reported that more than 60 per cent of couples wanted to try 2-3 times for male child and 30 per cent were prepared to repeat PBEF for male child (Aggarwal, 2002). The above trends also look to be associated with the value cost of children and the demand for them. The figure 4.2 also document that with the increase in birth orders the chances of foetus wastage also arises. As per NIPCCD (2008), here were 46.7 per cent males and 42.7 per cent females in the first order births in Delhi; and an equal percentage (48.0%) of males and females in Haryana. The percentage of males and females in the second birth order in Delhi and Haryana were 38.7 per cent and 41.3 per cent; and 34.0 per cent and 37.3 per cent respectively. Similarly, there were 20.7 per cent males and 22.0 per cent females in the third birth order in Delhi and 17.3 per cent males and 16.7 per cent females in Haryana. Specific objective number three of the study was to conducted evidence based participatory action research by involving multi stack holders both at determining the causes of sex selection in specific class based on economic stratification and involved them in determining workable solution to the skewed sex ratio. Accordingly ,research team took a series of initiatives to involve the multistack holders for determining the causes of sex selection in the economically well off segment of the population and having in-depth discussion and thereafter developing partnership with them to workout certain possible means to improve the skewed sex ratio in the gender prone segments of the population .
30

Fig 4.3: Showing the factors encouraging sex selective abortions among the mothers representing economically better 0f families.

Any other Girls as a burden Dowry Illeteracy Cheap Thinking Rising Prices 0.00% 5.00% 10.00% 15.00% 20.00% 25.00% 30.00% 35.00% 40.00%

Data in figure 4.3 illustrates that around 17 per cent of the respondents among the economically well of families opined that the rising prices is the cause of rising cases of female foeticide in the society. 19 per cent of the respondents were of the view that it is the result of cheap thinking of human being . Around 13 percent of respondents think that the main cause of female foeticide is illiteracy among people. Nearly 11 percent of population said that dowry is the main cause behind female foeticide. Girls were meant to be born in the household of rich and big farmers and affluent families who could bear the expenses of rearing female children. On the other hand same percentage of the respondents were in the favour of female foetcide because they think that female foeticide is the burden
31

for the family . The said results are in consonance with the observation of Walia, Aljimder (2005), wherein majority of the farming and non-farming families expressed an indifferent attitude towards female foeticide. Walia (2005), further cited that 12.50 percent of the farming respondents and 17.50 percent of non-farming respondents approved of female foeticide.

Chapter -5 Pre Birth Detection Test Services and Economically well off families The 2011 Indian census revealed about 71 million fewer girls than boys aged 06 years, a notable increase in the gap of 60 million fewer girls recorded in the 2001 census and the gap of 42 million fewer girls recorded in the 1991 census. There are numerous inferences which illustrates that the said differentials are more apparent in the families having economically rich background. The overall child sex ratio of girls per 1000 boys at ages 06 years fell by 19% (from 945 to 927) in the decade starting in 1991 and by 14% (from 927 to 914) in the decade starting in 2001. More girls than boys die at ages 159 months, but this is mostly offset by more boys than girls dying in the first month of life. The most plausible explanation for the gap in the number of girls in the 2011 census is prenatal sex determination with subsequent selective abortion of female fetuses. Most of Indias economically rich population now lives in states where selective abortion of girls is common. Our findings show that selective abortion of girls in India has grown in the past two decades and accounts for most of the large and growing imbalance between the numbers of girls to boys aged 06 years. Accordingly, in most high-income cities of Punjab, considerably more boys than girls are born, with recorded sex ratios at birth of 800-850 girls per 1000 boys. Fig 5.1: Showing the Birth Order and form of abortions common among the women representing higher economic ladders.

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Fig 5.1 :Pregnancy order and mode of abortion

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Spontaneous abortion 85.3 63.6 54.6 45.4 36.4 14.7 Induced abortion Ist Pregnancy Order 2nd Pregnancy Order 3rd Pregnancy Order

Figure 5.1 brings into sight that among the total number of pregnancies discontinued; around 38.4 per cent were the victim of spontaneous abortions. The results obtain on the bases of data analysis furthers add that the principal form of abortion responsible for the termination of the foetus in its mother womb among the mothers hailing from substantially better economically rich background was induced abortion. The data generate during the course of study establishes that high rate of induced abortion especially among the higher socio-economic segment of the population is the man made problem and is one of the burning challenges before the contemporary society due to its strong ties with the killing of female foetus in the mothers womb with the technical help of certain unscrupulous elements operating with in the health sector. In view of the increasing episodes of the induced abortions, National Family Health survey (NPHS-II) had pointed out that abortion is one of the significant factors in the fertility decline in some of the northern States of India like Punjab,
33

Haryana and Delhi etc. Said report further clarifies that in anxiety to conceive a son, women of the area under review are undergoing multiple abortions which are quite harmful to their health and must be discouraged at all levels. The study is the first to assess trends over time in selective abortion of girls in India at the national level with nationally representative data. We compared the sex ratios of second-order births after firstborn girls with the second-order sex ratios after firstborn boys. Present study noted a sharp decline in the girl-to-boy sex ratio for second-order births when the firstborn was a girl. These declines went further hand in hand with the acceleration of the economic background of the respondents and the numbers of female child birth orders. Since family size in India has fallen substantially, especially among the economically well of communities, it seems that selective abortion of girls is increasingly being used for second-order births or higher if the firstborn was a girl, to ensure at least one boy in the household. Said trend has resulted in to about 412 million selective abortions of girls from 1980 to 2010. A larger section of these abortions appears to have been contributed by the economically healthy communities. During the course of the study relevant literatures also explore the facts that selective abortion has spread from a handful of states to most parts of the country. Sex ratios for births after a firstborn girl fell sharply. By contrast, sex ratios for births among the rich families after a firstborn boy did not change. Increases in selective abortion of girls are probably because of persistent son preference to combined with decreases in fertility. Study in question showed notable decline in 3rd-order or higher births as a proportion of all births as compared to the earlier prevalent fertility trends. Figure 5.2 : Showing the birth order and spacing in years for the male child if the previous child orders happens to be female
34

50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

Fig 5.2: Birth order and spacing in years for male child
45.4

2nd Birth Order

32.1 33.2 14.3 15.1 43.1

3rd Birth Order 4th birth Order

37.4 29.2

8.2 20.8 12.6 7.6

up to 2 Up to Up to 5th Year year 3rd year 4th and year above Spacing in years for the male child if the Previous child orders happen to be the female

Data in figure 5.2 explore that during 2nd birth order around 13 percent of respondents having the spacing of 2 years for the male child if the previous child order was female. Among 22 percent of respondent the spacing between male and previous order female child is up to 3 years and this trend is increasing up to 5 year in second birth order for male child if previous order child happens to be female. Same as in case of 3rd birth order and 4th birth order. In 3rd order birth around 45 percent of the respondents having a spacing of 5 years between the previous female children and the
35

3rd order male

child.

Thus among higher economic range people sex ratio varies tremendously by

birth order, or by the sex of previous births. By contrast, in Punjab among the economically well off communities the sex ratio for the second birth, when the first born is a girl, is much lower than if the firstborn is a boy. No doubt the mean number of children per economically sound Punjabi woman fell at an alarming rate during the last two decades and households continue to prefer a son over a daughter. Fetal ultrasound has become more available over the past decade. However, it is uncertain to what extent ultrasound is being used to monitor fetal health or for sex determination with subsequent selective abortion of female fetuses. The above results draw support from the findings which illustrates that most of Indias population now lives in States where selective abortion of girls is common. Our findings show that selective abortion of girls in India has grown in the past two decades and accounts for most of the large and growing imbalance between the number of girls to boys aged 06 years. The above results are in agreement with ( Almond et al, 2008) . Figure 5.3 showing the 1st birth order sex and number of Sex Selective Tests and Sex Selective Abortions during 2nd Pregnancy

36

35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Ist Birth Order Female Ist Birth Order Male 6 4 Sex Selective Tests during 2nd Pregnancy Sex Selective Abortions during 2nd Pregnancy 29 25

Above figure also brings on surface that there are inherent demographic and sociological forces in the population under study like socio-economic level and social as well as physical mobility in the population that push up the sex selection tests. The available evidence highlights that with the rise in pregnancy order, there is constant rise in the utilization of sex selective services. It is worthwhile to note that after 1st birth order female, percentage of sex-selective test among the higher economic ladder women during the second conception is 30 per cent. It is quite astonishing that during 2nd pregnancy a substantial number of the pregnant women under-gone sex-selection test. It is also observed that after 1st birth order male, there a negligible percentage used sex-selection test (SST) services. The conditional sex ratio for second-order births if the firstborn was a girl fell for mothers with an advancement of economic order, but was unchanged for mothers with stagnant economic order. The conditional sex ratios fell sharply in the highly rich households by contrast with a slightly non-significant increase among households having comparatively less economic strata.
37

Figure 5. 4: Showing the Pregnancy Order and its discontinuation including still Birth or live Birth

4th Pregnancy and above

3rd Pregnancy

Abortion Still Birth Live Birth

2nd Pregnancy

Ist Pregnancy 0

20

40

60

80

100

Figure 5.4 demonstrates that during the 1st pregnancy percentage of respondents who had undergone for sex selective abortions was 3 percent. During 2nd pregnancy it has increased up to 13 per cent which further increased t0 3rd pregnancy and 4th pregnancy up to 20 per cent. The said findings draw support from the observations made by the NIPCCD Report (2008) , wherein among total abortions 23.6 per cent, 30.8 per cent, 52.9 per cent, 66.7 per cent and 50.0 per cent induced abortions in the first, second, third, fourth and fifth order of birth in Delhi were reported. From the observation of the present study it is concluded that the percentage of induced abortions increases with the birth order. In any civil society ,where the sex selection test has made a place in the economically better off

38

communities the percentage of induced abortions is drastically higher as compared to the overall abortion percentage. Similarly, there were 33.3 per cent, 50.0 per cent, 33.3 per cent, 50.0 per cent induced abortions in the first, second, third and fourth order of birth in Haryana. There were no abortions reported in the fifth birth order pregnancy in Haryana .To ascertain reasons for sex based family composition and violation of women specific legislations such as PC-PNDT Act (1994) , among the couple accomplishing higher economic ladder.

Chapter 6 Reasons for Sex Based family Compositions and Violation of Women Specific legislations
39

Objective number four of the study was to ascertain reasons for sex based family composition and violation of women specific legislations such as PcPNDT Act (1994/2003) , Hindu Marriage Act (1955) and Domestic Violence Act (2006) among the couple accomplishing higher economic ladder. Numerous legislation have been passed in India from time to time to safeguard the interest of the women as a weaker section of the society .Unfortunately most of these legislations have remained on files of the official machineries. During this course of time the condition of women has moved from bad to worst. Violence against women has always remained a part of patriarchal value system. This violence taking place at various levels i.e. with in workplace, at public places and even in the State/ Judicial Custody. The State of Punjab being dominated by patriarchal and feudal values is one of the States, which is on the forefront of repression of women rights and eliminate them at the pre-birth stage. But, where previously a woman was victim of the family or culture, now the market forces have also joined against her and the culmination of the same can be seen in the form of sex selection or misuse of the PNDT Techniques resulting into the Female Foeticide. In other words, it can be said that now with modernization and urbanization, the violence against women has got increased in all the section of the society. Said situations have taken more ugly turn in the economically rich communities resulting in the form of increase in dowry deaths, domestic violence, sexual harassment at workplace, molestation and eve teasing, increase in rape cases, child abuse, bigamy, abandoning of new born girl child and also the declining sex ratio. During the course of the study in question research team has made deep insight to assess the operational as well as awareness of a few key the family, at

40

Women Specific legislation having closed linkage with the increasing incidences of the sex selective tests and the sex selective abortions. the same Figure 6.1 through light on

Figure 6.1 showing reasons for sex based family composition and violation of Women Specific legislations such as Pc- PNDT Act (1994/2003) among the couple accomplishing higher economic ladder.

40 30 20 10 0 25,000 35,000 45,000 50,000 Causes of Violation of PNDT Act opined by the family having monthly family income

Lack of public cooporation

Desire for male child

Poor Enforcement of law and bribe nexis between doctors, paramedical and service seekers Any other

41

Figure 6.1 through light on the objective number five of the study regarding reasons for sex based family composition and violation of women specific legislations such as causes of violation of PC-PNDT Act (1994/2003) as opined by the respondents having different economic strata. A significant percentage of the respondents among the moderately rich communities hold the cheap thinking responsible for the existing trend in regards to son importance in the family composition and violation of the PC-PNDT Act (1994/2003). Nearly one-third of the respondents having monthly income with in the range of Rs 25,001 to Rs 35,000 hold corruption and bribe among the law enforcing agencies mainly responsible for the violation of the PC-PNDT Act (1994/2003). A substantial percentage is of the view that the nexus between the doctors , paramedical and the service seekers is the main cause of ineffectiveness of the said Act . Since the mid-1980s, female disadvantage in mortality has declined at an alarming rate, only to be replaced by a different type of disadvantage: sexselective abortion. The combination of widespread access to noninvasive sexselective technology (ultrasound) and the advent of the small-family culture happened to coincide in some States in india in the mid-1980s and have led to a greatly decreased number of females at birth. Realization of the potentially disastrous effects of this distortion has led many State governments, including Punjab outlaw prenatal sex determination and sex-selective abortion 15 years back, yet these techniques are still being carried out on a large scale, with virtual impunity. The figure 6.1 reconfirms our assumption that the desire for male child and acceleration in economic ladders go hand in hand.

. 6.2: Showing reasons for sex based family composition and violation of women specific legislations such as Hindu Marriage Act (1955) among the couple accomplishing Higher Economic Order.

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35 30 25 dowry 20 15 10 5 0 25,00035,00045,00050,000 Causes of Violation of Hindu Marriage Act (1955) opined by the family having monthly family income Girl child as others asset Any other Tradtions and cultural pressures illetracy Female child as a burden

Nearly one-fourth of the mothers hailing from the economic range between Rs 25000 to Rs 34,999 treat illiteracy as the over riding cause for the poor enforcement of the Hindu Marriage Act (1954). At the same time a considerable percentage treat the girls as an economic burden on the family. After marriage they typically become members of the husband's family, ceasing to have responsibility for their parents in illness and old age. 27 per cent of the respondents falling within the range of Rs 35001 to Rs 44,999 consider dowry as the primary cause of deviation from the different provisions stipulated in the Hindu Marriage Act (1955). Girls are often considered an economic burden because of the dowry system resulting in to violation of the said Act . Among the highest economic hierarchical order , 33 per cent treat the dowry and the girl child as the other asset which encourages violation of different provisions and sections of same time the pressure put by the traditions and the cultural Act in question .
43

the Hindu

Marriage Act (1955) which is in operation for the last more than six decades. At the traits also play a crucial role in creating the situations which are against the salient features of the

As established earlier in a notable section of the contemporary society girls are often considered an economic burden because of dowry system; after marriage they typically become members of the husband's family, ceasing to have responsibility for their parents in illness and old age . At the same time there are countless complaints at the village , Block and district level before the law enforcing agencies highlighting the physical ,mental and social trauma a women and the girl child have to face at the cruel hand of the males every day. As soon as the one gets married he/she starts thinking of family composition on the bases of gender of the new born. Since the present society is suffering from cultural lag where the desire for large family size has diminished but the son preference persists. There are various cases in each village or the cluster of urban and sub urban population where a girl child is the victim of atrocities and maltreatment on the bases of her sex at the hand of her male class fellows or colleague due to her physical and economic in capability as compare to the male. To improve the said situation a law was enacted in 2006 whose sole goal was to combat atrocities being committed against the endangered sex at the different stratas of the Indian society. A deep insight has been made to study the linkage between the desire for gender based family composition and incidences of Domestic Violence

Figure 6.3 showing reasons for sex based family composition and violation of women specific legislations such as Domestic Violence Act (2006) among the couple accomplishing higher economic ladder

44

45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 25,000 35,000 45,000 50,000 Causes of Violation of Domestic Violence Act (2006) opined by the family having monthly family income Any other low status of female in the family Economic dependence of women Male Dominance Tradtional thinking

Girls are often considered an economic burden because of th dowry system; after marriage they typically become members of the husband's family, ceasing to have responsibility for their parents in illness and old age Figure 6.3 demonstrates that for 50 per cent people within income range between Rs 25,000 to 35,000 traditional thinking is the main causes of committing atrocities upon the female sex and violation of Domestic Violence Act (2006).Among the people having a quite rich income source (Rupees 50,000 and above) hold male dominance in the society at large mainly responsible for the violation of prevention of Domestic Violence Act (2006). The above figure illustrates that economic dependence of women and violation of Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (2006) has inverse relation. While the basic reason for violence against women is their lower status in a male dominated society, but there are educational, economical, political and social factors too out of which economic factor act as nucleus.

45

The above findings draw support from the experiences of UNIFEM ( 2010 ) holding the increasing criminalization of society, media images of violence, poor enforcement of legal provision, unabashed, and rising incidents of alcoholism and addiction along with erosion of traditional values accountable for the same . In many States of India, however, among the economically well of communities the sex ratio deviates from these norms because of the tradition and social pressure of son preference. Son preference is most prevalent in the economically advanced northern States such as Punjab , Haryana and Delhi where sons are preferred because (i) they have a higher wage-earning capacity, especially in agrarian economies (24); (ii) they continue the family business; and (iii) they are generally recipients of inheritance . Girls are often considered an economic burden because of the dowry system. After marriage they typically become members of the husband's family, ceasing to have responsibility for their parents in illness and old age.

46

Chapter -7 Multiple Stack-holders Involvement and Determination of Cause of Sex S`election in economically Rich Communities. In the present Chapter research team has given the detail of activities and the strategies it worked out after the identification and involvement of multistake holders to accomplish the specific objectives appended below . 5) To workout appropriate ways and means of reversing the existing trends of declining girl child sex ratio by community based multi-stake holder approach. 6) To examine multi-stake holder strategies at the periphery level and develop specific multi- strategies to play crucial role in combating the episodes of female foeticide. 7) To worked out inter-sector strategies for changing mindsets evolving multistake holders for curbing episodes of sex selective abortions. State Governments in declining sex ratio affected States of India are taking action. However, nothing can realistically be done in the short term to reduce the current excess of young males, but much can be done to reduce sex selection now, and this will benefit the next generation. China had set an ambitious, but almost certainly unachievable, target: to lower the sex ratio to normal by 2010. In China and India, laws forbidding infanticide, abandonment, and neglect of female children already exist but need to be strictly enforced. For trafficking and kidnapping, penalties are harsh (people-trafficking is a capital crime in China) but detection is difficult. Sex-selective abortion, however, is carried out by medical

47

personnel in hospitals and clinics, and enforcement of the law banning the practice is strict.

Fig 7.1 Showing the inter-sector ways suggested by the respondents for changing the mindset evolving multi-stake holders for curbing episodes of sex selective tests .

10.1 24.5

Free health services for the women in need New innovative Schemes for girl child Change the negative thinking towards girl child 4.8 7.4 Elimiation of gender bias in health care through mother health awareness Any other

53.3

Figure 7.1 showing the inter- sector ways suggested by respondents for changing the mindset evolving multi-stakeholder for curbing episodes of sex selective tests. Around 53 percent of respondents opined that gender bias can be eliminated provided the mothers have requisite health awareness to address and solve heath issues pertaining to her own health as well as the health
48

of her child. Nearly one-fifth of the respondents suggested that Health and Family Welfare Department must provide free health services to the women in need. A negligible number of the respondents were of the view that Govt. must start some new innovative schemes for the welfare of girl child among the people representing economically well off communities and a negligible number ( 7 per cent) emphasized on the attitudinal change . They lamented that the negative attitude towards girl child, especially among the economically advanced families must be changed through some health educational advocacy interventions on gender sensitization issues. The above observations are in consonance with Park and Cho (1995). Other measures include public awareness campaigns, which should focus on the problems facing young men in finding brides. More importantly, equal social and economic rights for males and females must be guaranteed, for example, in relation to rights of inheritance. Basic health care should be available free of charge, so that parents are not deterred by financial constraints from seeking health care for their daughters. In addition, special supportive measures should be provided for families with no sons, to ensure protection for parents in old age.

Inter-sector Strategies to Change the Mindset for Curbing Episodes of Female Foeticide : Imbalance in sex ratio in the northern States of India has given birth to many social challenges and health issues .In certain social settings it has resulted into demographic turmoil .In gender bias prone States incidences of rape and
49

trafficking among the adolescent girls for the purpose of sexual exploitation have increased many folds . One of the vital tasks before the research team was to workout inter- sector approach based strategies by involving the multi-stake holders to change the mind set of the people living in the economically advanced communities towards importance of the girl child in the family .

Figure 7.2 showing the inter-sector ways involving Village Panchayats , Areas Welfare Organization , Women Self Help Groups and Govt. Nodal Departments for curbing episodes of sex selective tests.(k)

Any other

Equal Rights Economic Development Educate the girls Awareness generation 0 20 40

In figure 7.2 emphasizes on the role of the different sectors such as economic development, education, social security, women and child development, health and law and justice etc to combat the episodes of female foeticide. Results drawn from the analysis of data illustrate that more than one -third of the multi-stake holders were of the opinion that education for girls is the right step to change the mindset of the rich communities .They lamented that different sectors such as
50

village Panchayat , Women Self Help Groups ,Department of Health and family Welfare , Dept of Social Security ,Women and Child Development ,Dept of Law and Justice and Police Department etc should be involved at grass root level . They further added that the working together with the above stipulated sectors will deliver better results and help us in our campaign against disappearing of girl child .This will ultimately boost the output in terms of saving the girl child . In support of said statement most of them further argued the educated girls can oppose social pressure resulting into sex selection test and can easily take the shelter of the law enforcing agencies. Nearly one- fifth of the multi- stake holders suggested that awareness generation about the importance of the girl child in the economically rich families will bring radical change in their mindset towards the importance of the girl child. They further lamented that evolvement of multi-stakeholders will consolidate our strategies for curbing episodes of sex selective tests. The study in question also observed that in the said economically advanced section of the society a substantial number of the multi-stake holders ( 15 per cent ) constantly stressed for enforcement of equal rights for the female in every sphere of life.

Figure 7 .3 Showing the Multiple Strategies suggested by the multi-stakeholders to eliminate the incidences of pre-birth elimination of females at the grass root level among economically rich families .

51

32.5

26.7

20.3

10.8 7.5

2
Enforcement of Promotion of Promotion of Girl Prevention of Involvement of Law cultural values and child as an asset to atrocities against women in decision norms the family women making process Any other

Specific Objective number six

of the study in question was to

examine multi-stake holder strategies at the periphery level and develop specific multi- strategies to play crucial role in combating the episodes of female foeticide. In Figure 7.3 while showing the multiple strategies suggested by the multi-stakeholders to eliminate the incidences of female foeticide key strategy emerged was elimination of atrocities against the women. Results based on the analysis of the data further Add that one-third multi-stakeholders stressed for the prevention of atrocities against women by their male partners, in-law families as well as other unscrupulous elements .Said percentage of the respondents further added that to curb female foeticide , physical and psychological harassment faced by the girl child and women as weaker section of the society should be the top priority in our crusade against the pre-birth elimination of female .

52

A deep dig into social milieus of the respondents depicts that more than one-fourth of multi-stakeholders reiterated that popularization of girl child as an asset to the family will decreases the incidences of female foeticide in the contemporary male dominated society. At the same time another strategy surfaced from one-fifth of the multi-stakeholders to check the episodes of female foeticide was the enforcement of law in letter and spirit. The another strategy came in to lime light with the involvement of the multi-stake holders was the promotion of culture; values, norms and women involvement in decision making process at the family level. Objective number five of the study was to worked out appropriate ways and means of reversing the existing trends of declining girl child sex ratio by community based multi-stake holder approach.

Figure 7.4 Showing the strategies suggested by different stack-holders regarding ways and means to reverse the trend of sex ratio.

40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

35.4

20.6 15.8 11.7 10.9 5.6

Strict action against Dowry system

Punishment Equality in to doctors boys and girls

Stopping female foeticide

Stress on girl education

Any other

53

Figure 7.4 exhibits that mote than one-tenth of the multistakeholders opined that education of the girl among the rich communities is a must .They were of the view that the timely and appropriate educational attainment can bring down the incidence of female foeticide representing economically well of communities. More than one-fifth recommended strict punishment to the doctors involving in the sex selection test and female foeticide. From the results drawn it appears that dowry is one of the threatening issues before the girls parents. This age old custom is deeply embedded in to the culture in Punjab, especially in the economically well off communities. As evident from the above data a noteworthy percentage of the respondents (35 per cent) recommended that the Govt. should take strict action against in the dowry seekers for the sake of reversing the trend in male and female child sex ratio. 16 per cent of the respondents strongly urged for equality among the male and female sibling rights and privileges. Majority of them also emphasized on making the girls aware of the civil and property rights so that they may be in a position to rise against the suppression of their rights as and when the situation arises .They strongly lamented that the such intervention will certainly empower the women folk to face the atrocities boldly which will help the society at large to reversing the trend of declining sex ratio. One tenth of the respondents also emphatically stressed if the

concerned authorities are really committed to reverse the existing trend in the sex ratio and save declining of the girl number from the further deterioration they must stop the increasing incidences of female foeticide which are taking place through under ground means .
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Chapter-8 Inter-Sector Measures for Enforcement of PC-PNDT Act(1994/2003) :Socio-cultural and Political Means to Reverse the Trend of Declining Sex Ratio PC-PNDT Act (1994/2003) came in to enforcement in Punjab from January 1, 1996. Countless steps as per the requirement of the Act has been taken by the Department of Health and Family Welfare at the Block , District and State level as the nodal department . Since the effective enforcement of the Act needs inter -sector approach, needbased initiatives have also taken by the different allied departments such as Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Human Rights Council, Dept of Welfare and Department of Justice etc. Despite of the said facts the achievement has been below expectation. Son preference is the strongest and is more operative During the among the parents coming from higher income background.

course of a similar study key reasons surfaced for son preference were i) they perpetuate the family name and inherit property, ii) they are care providers in old age and iii) they perform the last rites . There are inferences which reveal that the vital reason for wanting a son is to attain moksha power, prestige, to perform the last rites and to continue the family lineage The main reasons forcing a pregnant mother in the economically well of family for getting the sex determination test done in violation of PC-PNDT Act (1994/2003) was to avoid the problem associated with a girl child such as dowry. Parents feel that finding a suitable match in the same economically hierarchal order is a difficult task. The existing study illustrates that sex-selective abortion is innovative behavior that diffuses from higher to lower economic groups.

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During the course of the study it was observed that that son preference varies little by income, but selective abortion of girls is more common in richer households, because they can afford ultrasound and abortion services more readily than uneducated or poorer households. Recent increases in literacy and per-person income might have thus contributed to increased selective abortion of girls. Match for a daughter in the higher economic range is difficult, otherwise life can become hell. Another belief parents have is that they should not expect support from daughters during old age and this also makes the girl child unwanted.

The various reasons which compels the expectant mothers to violate the PC-PNDT Act (1994/2003) are: dowry social pressure, forbidding wedding expenses, long requirement of giving gifts and money to daughters, lack of availability of girls to look after parents after marriage, domestic violence, ill treatment by husbands and in-laws, ill treatment of women after they give birth to a girl, and not wanting to go through the same fate as them . Specific objectives number eight of the study was to determined inter-sector measures towards enforcement of PC-PNDT Act (1994/2003) and to suggest/recommend specific ways to reverse the trend of declining sex-ratio. During the course of present study a painstaking attempts were made constantly to dig out appropriate measure which can streamline the enforcement of the PC_PNDT Act (1994/2003) at the different ladders of the contemporary society. Figure 8.1 showing inter-sector measures towards enforcement of PNDT Act (1994/2003).

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35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Inter-sector CoConstant Medical and Cases under PCordination Monitoring of Input Paramedical staff PNDT Act be and Out-put conducting raids decided at priority should bases be conversant with the legal and judicial procedure Any other

Figure 8.1 throw light on the different measures recommended by the respondents to enforce the PC_PNDT Act (1994/2003) in a more effective way. During the course of the existing study it was experienced that enforcement of the PC-PNDT Act has not made any dent on incidences of Sex Selective Test trends and the Sex selective abortion if the foetus happened to be the female. Findings of the existing study reveals that the different provisions have been made in the PC-PNDT Act to curb the increasing episodes of female foeticide . However, most of the activities and the requirements as stipulated in the Act does not fall within the domain of the Health and Family Welfare Sector which is the nodal Department so far as the enforcement of the said Act is concerned . A considerable percentage (29 %) of the respondents opined that to accomplish better results under PC-PNDT Act one of the immediate measure should be to strengthen the inter- sector co-ordination between the Department of Health ,Women and Child Development ,Rural development and Panchayat Raj Institutions including the Civil and Police Administration etc.
57

At the same time a 18 percent of the respondents were of the view that the best measure to increase the affectivity of the PC-PNDT Act (1994/20030 will be to have proper and timely monitoring of activities undertaken to streamline the performance at its implementation ,execution and evaluation of phase in the different areas. To obtain better results some of them also lamented that it will be worthwhile to assess the performance of each official responsible for the enforcement of the Act in the different areas and periodically assess the output on the bases of the input made in the different segments of the population . A deep dig in to problem associated with the poor results surfaced till date under the PC-PNDT Act (1994/2003) was pertaining to the skill and capacity building of the personnel handling the criminal cases and conducting raids at the different nursing home and diagnostic clinics conducting sex selection tests resulting in to sex selective abortions. A notable number of the respondents (21.9) stressed on the periodical in service training the officials executing the PC-PNDT Act and handling the different issues which are legal in nature and need judicial orientation and knowledge so that the case launched under the said Act in the different judicial institutions are properly handled right from the inception stage till reaches to its logical ends Figure 8.1 also depicts that as per 22.4 per cent of the

respondents one of the best measures to accelerate the effectively of the said PCPNDT Act (1994/2003) is the immediate disposal of the court case launched against the defaulting institutions and the unscrupulous elements representing the medical discipline under the different systems of medicine . Here, it was reiterated by the respondents that since the case are not decided for decades to gathe and the officials aware of actual position of the case and the circumstances gets transferred or retires and the momentum get lost . With the passage of time the morality and integrity of the different witnesses due to different threats and social pressures also shatters or they become hostile resulting in the weakening of the case .

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Figure 8.2: showing the social Means suggested by the respondents to reverse the trend of Declining Sex Ratio.

35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 High Social Status Socially isolate Girls as an asset Involvement of to the Women the families to the family women in terminating decision making Female Foeticide process Any other

Figure

8.2 explaining the social means to reverse the trend of

decling sex ratio among the people belonging to higher socio economic ladders . Around 30 percent of the respondents opined that the incidences of female foeticide can be decreased only if when the women existing status is improved and they attain the high status in society at large . Another means to end the menace of female foeticide suggested by the 29 per cent respondents was that the people must start treating the girls as an asset to the family not a burden.

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Around 22 per cent of the respondents pleaded for the social isolation of the families terminating the female foeticide. Rest of the 15 percent of the respondents argued that involvement of the women in family decision making process is must for curbing the increasing incidences of female foeticide in the society.

Figure 8.3 Showing the Cultural Means suggested by the respondents to curb the incidences of female foeticide among economically rich families

Combating of customes and practices resulting in to gender bias 10% Any other 5%

Provision of education and economic security to the girl child 27%

Promotion of values and norms popularizing girl child 24% Ignoring of taboos promoting negative social attitudes towards girl child 34%

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The figure 8.3 demonstrating the opinions suggested by the respondents about the cultural means should be used to change the mindset for combating the audiences of female foeticide among the people belonging to higher economic ladders. The foremost recommendation of the respondents was pertaining to the the wrong beliefs and taboos, wherein around 34 % of the respondents were of view that taboos promoting negative social attitudes towards the girl child must be ignored. At the same time a considerable number of the respondents emphasized regarding provision of education and economic security to the girl child . Here they reiterated that the fair sex in the economically well of communities where every thing is evaluated in terms of economical gains is drastically in need of economic security and educational advancement. According to the results obtained during the course of the study it also surfaced that nearly one-fourth of the respondents were in favour of promotion of values and social norms popularizing girl child. Here it will be worth mentioning that a substantial percentage of the respondents were of the view that the existing girl child declining scenario is the results of multiple variables having deep linkage with our cultural heritage and social structure s. The life of a woman in India is often marked by such disrespect that some feel it is better for the family, and even for the baby girl, that she not be born. At the same one-tenth of the respondents held the customs and the ages old social practices lowering the status of the girl child in the society at at large .Said percentage of the respondent strongly stressed for the combating of customs and social practices resulting in to gender bias .

8.4 Showing the Political Means

suggested by the respondents to curb the

incidences of female foeticide among economically rich families

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45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

40.8

22.6 16.6 17.5 2.5 Enforcing of Women specific legislations at the grass root level Education among women Equal rights Protection of for male and women as a female weaker section of society Any other

Data in Figure 8.4 illustrating that respondents opined that equal rights for male and female (40 per cent ) and enforcing of women specific legislations at the grass root level ( 23 per cent) are effective political means should be used to reverse the existing trend in the deckling sex ratio change among the
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people belonging to high economic strata . Around 18 per cent of the respondents were of the view that protection of women as a weaker section of society is must for combating the female foeticide episodes among Indian society.

Defenders of this system point out that a dowry takes the place of inheritance, which some women in India do not receive. However, in many cases the groom's parents take possession of the dowry and do not set any of it aside for the bride's future use. Furthermore, the bride's family's responsibilities extend to further supporting the new family in substantial ways, beyond the initial dowry. Some Indian castes even require a wife's family to cover her funeral expenses. Some brides have been rejected by the groom's families and even killed because their families did not meet the groom's family's expectations for dowry. All these cultural and financial factors act as disincentives for Indian families to permit their girl babies to be born. ("India's imbalance of sexes," in The Washington Times, February 26, 2007.)

References 1) Prabhat Jha et al (2011) Trends in Selective Abortions of Girls in India: Analysis of Nationally Representative Birth Histories from 1990 to 2005 and census data from 1991 to 2011 See Online/Comment DOI:10.1016/S01406736(11)60709-5 www.thelancet.com 2) Sinha K. Sex selection to cost doctors licence. Times of India April 21, 2011. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-21/india/ 29458945_ 1_ultrasound-doctors-selection (accessed May 16, 2011). 3) PNDT Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Annual report 2006: Implementation of the Pre-Conception andPre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act. January, 2007. http://pndt.gov.in/writereaddata/mainlinkfile/File99.pdf (accessed May 16, 2011).

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4) Das Gupta M, Chung W, Shuzhuo L. Is there an incipient turnaround in Asias missing girls phenomenon? February 2009. http://www-wds. worldbank.org/servlet/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2009/02/24/000158349_200 90224084450/Rendered/PDF/WPS4846.pdf(accessed May 16, 2011). 5) Almond D, Edlund L. Son-biased sex ratios in the 2000 United States Census. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2008; 105: 568182. 6) Jha P, Kumar R, Vasa P, Dhingra N, Thiruchelvam D, Moineddin R. Low female-to-male sex ratio of children born in India: national survey of 11 million households. Lancet 2006; 367: 21118. 7) Rogers JL, Doughty L. Does having boys or girls run in the family? Chance 2001; 14: 813. 8) Almond D, Edlund L, Milligan K. O sister, where art thou? The role of son preference and sex choice: evidence from immigrants to CanadaNBER Working Paper 15391. Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research; 2009. http://www.nber.org/papers/ w15391 (accessed May 6, 2011). 9) Registrar General of India. Census of India 2011: provisional population totals. 2011. http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/prov_rep_tables.html (accessed May 16, 2011). 10) A Socio-cultural Study of the Declining Sex Ratio in Delhi and Haryana A Report Published by National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development, 5 Siri Institutional Area, Hauz Khas,New Delhi-16

11) VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN THE www.unifem.org.in/PDF/Punjab/Introduction.pdf

STATE

OF

PUNJAB

12) "India's imbalance of sexes," in The Washington Times, February 26, 2007.

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65

Research Report on Evidence based Causes of Female Foeticide Among Economically Well Off Communities in Punjab: Strategies to Change the Mindset

Executive Summary

IIN NT TE ER RN NA AT TIIO ON NA AL LU UN NIIO ON NF FO OR RH HE EA AL LT TH HP PR RO OM MO OT TIIO ON NN N A AN ND DE ED DU UC CA AT TIIO ON N,,P PU UN NJ JA AB B C H A P T E R , L U D H I A N A . CHAPTER,LUDHIANA.

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OVERALL OBJECTIVE:

To conduct evidence based action research focusing on means to reverse the trend of pre-birth elimination of females and evolve multi stake holder strategies for the said purpose.

Inception of the Project : The research study staff as per the pattern was recruited and sensitized towards the objectives and salient feature of the proposed research study . Study team was made conversant with the different welfare schemes launched by the Govt. of Punjab and Central Govt. to protect the interest of the girl child and ensured its healthy growth and development in a sustainable manner . Sampling Size and Procedure: The study was confined to Ludhiana District of Punjab. Out of six Sub-Divisions , one- Sub-Division was selected through simple random sampling procedure. Thereafter, from the said Ludhiana Sub Division, one Development Block , out of its four Development Blocks was selected through simple random sampling method. From the concerned Development Block, 20 villages / colonies were selected through stratified random sampling procedure. Thereafter , as outlined earlier the objectives and the methodology especially the sampling procedure , a sample of nearly 150 respondents on the bases of higher economic group size population were selected from each of the 20 villages / colonies through simple random sampling method. The total sample of 3000 respondents as stipulated in the research proposal has been drawn by the study team . Methodology and Source of Data Collection:
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Since it was too difficult for the research team to work on the closed and personal subject like sex selective tests and sex selective abortions help of Male Multipurpose Health Workers and Female Health Workers was sought to ascertain an evidence based causes of female foeticide and identify multi-stake holders . In addition to this at certain occasions support of Traditional Birth Attendants /Anganwari Workers and trained dais as well as Village Panchayat Female members was also taken. Help of community leaders, social activists, religious leaders, village dais and traditional healers was sought to make the sampling more realistic and purposeful. During data collection all the possible painstaking efforts were undertaken to take the women activists and respondents in to confidence to win their confidence by ensuring them that the information they provide will be kept secret at every cost and remain confined to the study purpose. On the basis of pretesting report, the schedule that acted, as main source of data collection during study was further improved.

Tool Used in Data Collection: In whole of the study primary source of data collection has been the schedule developed by the study team .Said schedule is having a series of questions to collect appropriate data for analysis purpose so that answers to the searching questions raised during the course of review of literature be given and the over all as well as specific objectives of the research study accomplished . The schedule is having a series of open ended and closed questions regarding evidence based causes of female foeticide and development of strategies to change the mind set. SOCIO-ECONOMIC BACKGROUND OF THE RESPONDENTS :
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The data in above figure demonstrated that 54 per cent of respondents husband was business and around 46 percent of the males were in the service. Data of the female respondents demonstrated that only 1 5 per cent of women were in service or running their own enterprise such as beauty parlours , boutique and coaching centers etc to supplement the income of the family and rest of that were housewives . Around 18 per cent of the respondents (mothers) had education up to 10th class and the rest had schooling above 10th standard and around 21 percent are above 11th and undergraduate. 41 percent of the respondents had educational level up to graduate same in respect of their male partners and around 24 percent of the mothers are well educated having the post graduation qualification as compared to their male counterpart that is 12 percent. Near about 50% of the respondent were having income level between Rs 25,000 to 35,000 per month. Nearly one -third of the respondents were having income of Rs 35,000-45,000 per month and 17% of the respondents were in the income range of Rs 50,000 and above. The study in question highlights that the one-tenth of the respondents (women) had their 1st pregnancy before attaining the age of 21 years. In 17 per cent of cases the age of the husband was in the age group between 21-24 years at the time of 1st pregnancy of their female counterpart. Related data also document that age at marriage, which is increasing at considerable pace, seems to be related to the economic structure of the society. GENDER BIAS, SEX SELECTIVE TESTS AND SEX SELECTIVE ABORTIONS: Findings demonstrate that among the economically well off families 25 per cent of respond 1.2 percent of respondents admitted that they underwent sex selection test during the first birth order . Said negligible number

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indicate that sex selection is not the priority in the case of primi-gravida mothers .Said figure further explore that out of 30 per cent respondents with earlier one living girl child , 20 percent of the respondents used the sex selection service during 2nd order birth . In other words to delimit the family size within desirable family composition, 66 percent of the respondents opted for the sex selection test during the second birth orders. It is quite disheartening to note that out of 38 per cent of the mothers with two living girl child 30 per cent under went sex selection test during the 3rd or the higher birth orders raising the sex selection adoption rate to 79 per cent. Results drawn from the analysis of data brings on surface that among the mothers there is deep divergence in the actual number of conceptions taken place during the last 3 years and their continuation. Out of 1st pregnancies, 90.8 per cent were continued. The above percentage was on lower side in the case of 2nd and 3rd pregnancies (HBO). Around 17 per cent of the respondents among the economically well of families opined that the rising prices are the cause of increased cases of female foeticide in the society. 19 per cent of the respondents were of the view that it is the result of cheap thinking of human beings. Around 13 percent of respondents think that the main cause of female foeticide is illiteracy among people. Nearly 11 per cent of population said that dowry is the main cause behind female foeticide. A substantial number out of them reiterated that the girls were meant to be born in the household of rich and big farmers and affluent families who could bear the expenses of rearing female children. Pre Birth Detection Test Services and Economically well off families : Present study results bring into sight that among the total number of pregnancies discontinued; around 38.4 per cent were the victim of spontaneous abortions. The results obtain on the bases of data analysis further add that the
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principal form of abortion responsible for the termination of the foetus in its mother womb among the mothers hailing from substantially better economically rich background was induced abortion. The data generate during the course of study establish that high rate of induced abortion especially among the higher socio-economic segment of the population is the man made problem and is one of the burning challenges before the contemporary society due to its strong ties with the killing of female foetus in the mothers womb with the technical help of certain unscrupulous elements operating with in the health sector. Study in question explores that during 2nd birth order around 13 percent of respondents having the spacing of 2 years for the male child if the previous child orders was female. Among 22 percent of respondent the spacing between male and previous order female child is up to 3 years and this trend is increasing up to 5 year in second birth order for male child if previous order child happens to be female. Same as in case of 3rd birth order and 4th birth order. In 3rd order birth, around 45 percent of the respondents are having a spacing of 5 years between the previous female children and the 3rd order male child. Thus among higher economic range people sex ratio varies tremendously by birth order, or by the sex of previous births. By contrast, in Punjab among the economically well off communities the sex ratio for the second birth, when the first born is a girl, is much lower than if the firstborn is a boy. It is worthwhile to note that after 1st birth order female, percentage of sex-selective test among the higher economic ladder women during the second conception is 30 per cent. It is also observed that after 1st birth order male, there a negligible percentage used sex-selection test (SST) services. The conditional sex ratio for second-order births if the firstborn was a girl fell for mothers with an advancement of economic order, but was unchanged for mothers with stagnant
71

economic order. The conditional sex ratios fell sharply in the highly rich households by contrast with a slightly non-significant increase among households having comparatively less economic strata. During the 1st pregnancy percentage of respondents among the whole of the population who had opted for sex selective abortions on the bases of the report of sex selection test was 3 per cent. During 2nd pregnancy it has increased up to 13 per cent which is further increases in 3rd pregnancy and 4th pregnancy up to 20 per cent. Reasons for Sex Based family Compositions and Violation of Women Specific legislations :

Results of the study confirm our assumption that within the rich communities the desire for male child and acceleration in economic ladders go hand in hand. A significant percentage of the respondents among the moderately rich communities hold the cheap thinking responsible for the existing trend in the family composition and violation of the PC-PNDT Act (1994/2003). Nearly one-third of the respondents having monthly income with in the range of Rs 25001 to 35000 hold corruption and bribe among the law enforcing agencies mainly responsible for he violation of the PC-PNDT Act (1994/2003) .Since the mid-1980s, female disadvantage in mortality has declined substantially. The combination of widespread access to noninvasive sex-selective technology (ultrasound) and the advent of the small-family culture happened to coincide in the rural and urban segments of the population. Nearly one-fourth of the mothers hailing from the economic range between Rs 25000 to Rs34, 999 treat illiteracy as the over riding cause for the poor enforcement of the Hindu Marriage Act (1954). At the same time a considerable percentage treat the girls as the economic burden on the family. After marriage they typically become members of the husband's family, ceasing to have responsibility
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for their parents in illness and old age 27 per cent of the girls falling within the range of (1994/20003). Girls are often considered an economic burden because of the dowry system .Among the highest economic hierarchical order ,33 percent treat the dowry and the girl child as the other asset which encourages violation of different provisions and sections of the Hindu Marriage Act (1954) which is in force for the last more than six decades. 50 per cent people within income range between Rs 25,000 to 35,000 traditional thinking is the main causes of committing atrocities upon the female sex and violation of Domestic Violence Act (2006).Among the people having a quite rich income source (Rupees 50,000 and above) hold male dominance in the society at large mainly responsible for the violation of Domestic Violence Act, (2006). The above figure illustrates that economic dependence of women and violation of Prevention of Domestic Violence, Act (2006) has inverse relation. While the basic reason for violence against women is their lower status in a male dominated society, but there are educational, economical, political and social factors too out of which economic factor plays an important role as a nucleolus of gender discrimination . While throwing light on the inter- sector ways suggested by respondents for changing the mindset evolving multi-stakeholder for curbing episodes of sex selective test, more than 53 percent of respondents opined that gender bias can be eliminated provided the mothers are having requisite health awareness to address and solve heath issues pertaining to their own health as well as the health of their children. Nearly one-fifth of the respondents suggested that Health and Family Welfare Department must provide free health services to the women in need. A negligible number of the respondents were of the view that Govt. must start some new innovative schemes for the welfare of girl child among the Rs 35001 to Rs 44,999 consider dowry as the primary cause of unavoidable circumstances resulting into the violation of Hindu Marriage Act

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people representing economically well off communities and the remaining 7 per cent emphasized on the attitudinal change . Results drawn from the analysis of data illustrate that more than one -third of the Multi-Stake holders were of the opinion that education for girls is the right step to change the mindset of the rich communities .They lamented that involving of multi-stake holders such as village Panchayat , Women Self Help Groups and Nodal Departments for curbing the incidence of sex selection test can really boost the output in terms of curbing of the incidences of declining sex ratio. In support of said statement most of them further argued the educated girls can oppose social pressure resulting into sex selection test and can easily take the shelter of the law enforcing agencies. Nearly one- fifth of the multi- stakeholders suggest that awareness generation about the importance of the girl child in the economically rich families will bring radical change in their mindset towards the importance of the girl child. They further lamented that evolvement of multi-stakeholders will consolidate our strategies to bring down the episodes of sex selective tests. The study in question further highlights that for this economically advanced section of the society a substantial number of the multi-stakeholders ( 15 per cent ) constantly stressed for enforcement of equal rights for the female in every sphere of life. While showing the multiple strategies suggested by the multi-stakeholders to eliminate the incidences of female foeticide key step was elimination of atrocities against the women .Results based on the analysis of the data depict that one-third multi-stakeholders suggested that prevention of atrocities against women by their male partners, in-law families as well as unscrupulous elements of the society creating physical or other psychological

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harassment to the women as weaker section of the society priority in our crusade against the pre-birth elimination of female .

should be the top

A deep dig into social milieus of the respondents depicts that more than one-fourth of multi-stakeholders reiterated that promotion of girl child as an asset to the family also decreases the incidences of female foeticide in the contemporary male dominated society. At the same time around 20 percent of the multi-stakeholders were of view that the episodes of female foeticide can be combated by an enforcement of law in letter and spirit. Rest of the percentage of respondents said that promotion of culture; values and norms and women involvement in decision making process can also curb the increasing episodes of sex selective abortions. Nearly one -fifth of the multi stakeholders respondents opined that education of the girl among the rich communities can bring down the incidence of female foeticide economically well of communities .Nearly 13% recommended strict punishment to the doctors involving in the sex selection test and female foeticide. A note worthy percentage of the respondent recommended that the Govt. should take strict action in stopping the dowry system and making girls aware of their civil and property rights if we really intend to reverse the trend of declining sex ratio. Inter-Sector Measures for Enforcement of PC-PNDT Act(1994/2003) :

Findings of the existing study reveals that the different provisions made in the PC-PNDT Act to curb the increasing episodes of female foeticide . However, most of the activities and the requirements as stipulated in the Act does not fall within the domain of the Health and Family Welfare Sector which is the nodal Department so far as the enforcement of the said Act is concerned . A considerable percentage (29 %) of the respondents opined that to accomplish better results under PC-PNDT Act one of the immediate measures should be to strengthen

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the inter- sector co-ordination between the Dept of Health ,Women and Child Development ,Rural development and Panchayat Raj Institutions including the Civil and Police Administration etc. At the same time a 18 percent of the respondents were of the view that the best measure to increase the affectivity of the said Act will be quite to have proper and timely monitoring of activities undertaken to streamline the performance at its implementation ,execution and evaluation of phase in the different areas. To obtain better results some of them also lamented that it will be worthwhile to assess the performance of each official responsible for the enforcement of the Act in the different areas. Socio-cultural and Political Means to Reverse the Trend of Declining Sex Ratio: While explaining the social means to reverse the trend of declining sex ratio among the people belonging to higher socio economic ladders , around 30 percent of the respondents opined that the incidences of female foeticide can be decreased only if the women existing status is improved and they attain the high status in society at large . Another means to end the menace of female foeticide suggested by the 29 per cent respondents was that the people must start treating the girls as an asset to the family not a burden. Around 22 per cent of the respondents pleaded for the social isolation of the families terminating the female foeticide. Rest of the 15 percent of the respondents argued that involvement of the women in family decision making process is must for curbing the increasing incidences of female foeticide in the society. While demonstrating the opinions suggested by the respondents about the cultural means should be used to change the mindset for combating the audiences of female foeticide among the people belonging to higher economic ladders , foremost recommendation of the respondents was pertaining to the wrong
76

beliefs and taboos. Around 34 % of the respondents were of view that taboos promoting negative social attitudes towards the girl child must be ignored. At the same time a considerable number of the respondents emphasized regarding provision of education and economic security to the girl child. Here, they reiterated that the girl child in the economically well off communities where every thing is evaluated in terms of economical gains is drastically in need of economic security, united front to oppose suppression of legal rights and sensitization on gender parity . A deep insight into the political ways to reverse the existing trend declining girl child percentage , results of the study illustrate that 40 per cent respondents opined that equal rights for male and female child. At the same time 23 per cent stressed for enforcing of women specific legislations at the grass root as an effective political means should be used to reverse the existing trend in the declining sex ratio change among the people belonging to high economic strata. Around 18 per cent of the respondents were of the view that protection of women as a weaker section of society is must for combating the female foeticide episodes in Punjab especially among the mothers representing higher economic order.

Recommendations: 1) To delimit the family size within desirable family composition , economically well off couples are largely opting for sex selection test must be properly sensitized about its demographic and sociological repercussions and legally sued under the PC-PNDT Act (1994/2003). 2) The conditional fall of sex ratio for second-order births if the firstborn is a girl among the mothers representing higher economic order must be curbed by the concerned Govt agencies and the civil Society.

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3) To boost the output in terms of curbing of the incidences of declining sex ratio involvement of multi-stake holders such as village Panchayat , Women Self Help Groups and Nodal Departments needs to be geared up. 4) There is an need to motivate the parents not to treat the dowry and the girl child as the other asset .They must be informed through multichannel approach that their traditional attempt are encouraging violation of different provisions and sections of the Hindu Marriage Act (1954 ) especially among the economically well off communities. 5) As emerged from the different inter- actions with multi-stakeholders prevention of atrocities against women by their male partners, in-law families as well as other unscrupulous elements of the society creating physical or psychological harassment to the women should be the top priority in our crusade against the pre-birth elimination of female . 6) Induced abortion especially among the higher socio-economic segment of the population is one of the burning challenges before the contemporary society and must be combated at all costs. 7) To accomplish better results under PC-PNDT Act (1994/2003) an immediate measures should be to strengthen the inter- sector co-ordination between the Dept of Health ,Women and Child Development ,Rural development and Panchayati Raj Institutions including the Civil and Police Administration etc. 8) Govt. of Punjab must ensured that among the economically well off communities family composition should be the prerogative of the women and their reproductive rights are well protected. Their involvement in decision making is improved enabling them to attain their over due equal status in society at large.

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9) Gender friendly environment in the economically well off communities is the need of our. Girl child favourable physical, psychological and social conditions must be engineered so that parents start treating the girls as an asset to the family not a burden.

10 ) In any healthy society equality in rights among male and female is pre-requisite for its socio-economic development . Parity between male and female sibling should be streamlined at war footing with zero level of tolerance for gender bias. 11 ) Enforcing of Women Specific Legislations at the grass root level as an

effective social ,cultural and political means need to be strengthened to reverse the existing trend in the declining sex ratio among the people belonging to higher economic hierarchical set up.

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