Essay on Female Foeticide
Female Foeticide is the termination of female fetuses in the wombs of their mothers, for the selfish greed of having a male child. It is a matter of deep shame and a cause of great concern. The evil of Female Foeticide is deeply entrenched in our society and pervades all classes and castes of society. It is very heart-wrenching when a family does not think twice before killing a girl-child, though they indulge themselves in praying religiously to Goddess Lakshmi, Kali, and Durga.
Even though prenatal sex determination results in fines as it is against the law, the civilians somehow find a way or an alternative method to detect the gender of the child, leading to bizarre situations as people often terminate the fetus. Despite several laws passed by the government, Female Foeticide is still prevailing and is common in India. It still lies in the roots of the country, worsening the condition of those women who are getting entangled in this horrific web of discriminating society.
What is Female Foeticide?
Female Foeticide is a medical procedure where a female fetus is aborted in the womb of the pregnant woman after identifying the gender of the fetus through ultrasound. This act is illegal in India. It is a social issue that causes unfair treatment of different genders in society.
Facts
When women get married, they have many dreams and aspirations for the new phase of life. They dream of having a good family and children. In India, however, pregnancy is often followed by the question of whether the unborn child is a girl or a boy. In our country, many people have a major obsession with sons. They think that a son is a cause for joy and lifetime security, and celebration. They have the view that a girl child is a cause of an economic drain as her marriage and dowry will crush the family under a huge burden of debts.
Besides, we live in a patriarchal society where sons will always be preferred over girls as they are seen as lesser prized objects and weaker than men. Moreover, the social custom of India to marry off their daughters into a family of higher status is also a root cause of this issue, and the kin of the groom demands huge dowry consisting of a certain amount. Especially in rural areas, men are believed to take care of the family heritage and pass on the family lineage while protecting the family name. This proves that even though women's empowerment is an important subject in this era, people still do not believe in equality, due to the backward thinking of certain people around the world.
While it is often believed that such ill practices are largely part of the lower strata of society, shockingly there have been many revelations recently that even wealthy Indian couples are flocking to neighboring countries to know the gender of the fetus as it is illegal here in India.
Causes of Female Foeticide
Even though Female Foeticide has been in practice for several years due to preference of a male child over female, not just financial but several social, emotional, and religious causes are the reason behind this heinous crime. However, certain beliefs of some families cannot be changed, but it is high time we showcase their ongoing crisis to lead a better future. It is interesting to learn the reasons that lead to such a biased mindset.
Some believe that boys are an investment while girls are economic drainers.
They also believe that boys would grow the family’s lineage and would secure their parents’ future.
The girls are considered a liability, as they need to be married off with enormous dowry.
Some believe that in a male-dominated society, it is easy to bring up a boy since the safety of the females is a big issue, and raising girls involves trouble.
Poverty, illiteracy, and insecurity play a major role in this.
In a male-dominated society, females are still considered subordinate and inferior to males.
Some backward families believe that having a boy child is going to uplift the status of the family.
They can demand dowry in marriage from the bride’s family for their son.
Impact
This illegal practice has affected the scale of the population. According to the statistics of the General Office for Population Family Planning, the number of newborn boys and girls is unequal because of the discrimination of genders. Unfortunately, this situation has been persisting for over a very long time. The impacts of it on the population are rather huge. As per the report of the Ministry of Public Health, it is estimated that, despite the attempts to reduce the fluctuation between the birth of boys and girls, in 2020 there will be 4.3 million more men than women which might have huge repercussions.
Measures to Control
A lot of measures have been taken to fight against this illegal practice.
The government of India has initiated education and media advertisements to reach hospitals and clinics and medical professionals to increase awareness.
The Indian Medical Association has shouldered efforts to prevent prenatal sex determination by promoting ‘Beti-Bachao’ during its meeting and conferences.
The campaign of Beti-Bachao is initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise awareness of the gender disparities created and resulting from sex-selective abortion.
Some policies initiated by many states in India attempt to address the assumed economic disadvantage of girls by offering aids to girls and their parents.
The dowry system, one of the main causes of Female Foeticide, should be abolished from society.
Some policies provide scholarships and cash credits only to girls.
Medical licenses must be terminated with immediate effect for the practitioners who are conducting Female Foeticide.
The families who are forcing this act on their daughters-in-law should be penalized.
Young women and girls should be empowered to stand for their rights. They should be self-reliant and become capable of making their decisions.
Conclusion
Through a lot of awareness, consideration, and understanding, we can bring a shift in our beliefs and perceptions of society to give equal space to the girl child. Besides, there is no past, present, or future without a woman and female infanticide or Female Foeticide should be considered as suicide. If we do not make a change and secure the future of these girls now, then the consequences would be dangerous and there would be no coming back from that curse. So, a little change in our mindset and attitude is all that is needed to welcome daughters in our hearts and this world.
FAQs on Female Foeticide Essay: Addressing the Grave Issue of Female Foeticide
1. What is female foeticide?
Female foeticide is the illegal practice of aborting a female fetus inside the womb after determining its gender, typically through an ultrasound. This act is a direct consequence of son preference and is a punishable criminal offence in India, representing a severe form of gender discrimination.
2. What are the main social and economic causes of female foeticide in India?
Several deep-rooted factors contribute to the practice of female foeticide. The primary causes include:
- A strong preference for male children in a patriarchal society, where sons are expected to carry on the family name and provide financial support.
- The financial burden associated with the dowry system, which makes many families view daughters as a long-term economic liability.
- The belief that sons will look after parents in their old age, while daughters will join another family after marriage.
- Lack of education and awareness, particularly in rural areas, which perpetuates these regressive beliefs.
3. What are the long-term consequences of female foeticide on a country's population?
The most alarming consequence of widespread female foeticide is a dangerously skewed sex ratio, resulting in a significant surplus of men over women. This demographic imbalance can lead to severe social issues, including increased violence against women, human trafficking, and a marriage crisis, which destabilises communities and undermines social harmony.
4. What is the key legislation in India enacted to stop female foeticide?
The primary law in India to combat this issue is the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC&PNDT) Act, 1994. This act makes it illegal for medical professionals to use any prenatal diagnostic techniques to determine or reveal the sex of a fetus. Violating this law can lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment and cancellation of medical licenses.
5. Why does son preference persist even in modern, educated Indian families?
Son preference persists even among the educated and affluent because it is a deeply ingrained cultural norm, not just an economic issue. In a patriarchal society, sons are often seen as essential for continuing the family lineage and performing key religious rites. These traditional values can often overshadow modern education, proving that social change requires a deeper shift in mindset beyond just literacy and wealth.
6. How do government initiatives like 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' work to solve this problem?
The 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter) campaign addresses the issue holistically. It works on three main fronts: it aims to enforce the PC&PNDT Act more strictly to prevent sex-selective abortions, ensure the survival and protection of every girl child, and, most importantly, promote their education. By empowering girls, the campaign aims to change the societal perception of them from a liability to an asset.
7. What is the fundamental difference between female foeticide and female infanticide?
The key difference is the timing of the act. Female foeticide is the termination of a female fetus *before* birth, within the womb. In contrast, female infanticide is the deliberate killing of a newborn girl *after* she has been born. While both are heinous crimes driven by gender bias, foeticide is a prenatal act and infanticide is a postnatal one.
8. Besides laws, what societal changes are necessary to eradicate female foeticide completely?
Eradicating female foeticide requires more than just legal action; it demands a fundamental shift in societal attitudes. Key changes include promoting gender equality through education, empowering women to be financially independent and make their own decisions, actively campaigning against the dowry system, and celebrating the birth of a girl child. The media and community leaders play a crucial role in portraying girls positively and challenging deep-seated patriarchal norms.
