Female Foeticide

Female foeticide is the illegal and unethical practice of aborting a female fetus after determining its sex through pre- or post-conception diagnostic techniques. Common methods include:

• Pre-conception methods: Ericsson method, preimplantation genetic diagnosis.
• Post-conception methods: Amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling, and ultrasonography.

Although designed for detecting genetic disorders, these technologies are often misused to eliminate female fetuses due to deep-rooted cultural biases favoring male children.

Female Infanticide

Female infanticide is the deliberate killing of a newborn girl child, typically within a year of birth. It can occur:

• Directly: Using poisons or harmful substances.
• Indirectly: Through neglect, starvation, or denial of care.

This brutal practice reflects societal beliefs that girls are a burden and less valuable than boys.

Causes

1. Son Preference (“Son Mania”):
   • Rooted in patriarchal and patrilineal traditions.
   • Sons are seen as financial supporters and carriers of the family name.
   • Daughters are viewed as liabilities.
2. Dowry System:
   • The financial pressure of marrying off a daughter leads many families to view girls as a burden.
   • Boys are seen as assets who will bring dowry, increasing their perceived value.
3. Skewed Education Impact:
   • Educated women and men, especially from certain classes, may still prefer sons.
   • Gender bias persists despite higher education levels, particularly among business-oriented families.
4. Marginalization in Agriculture:
   • Women contribute significantly to farming but lack land ownership and recognition.
   • Modernization reduces male labor needs, while women’s workload remains heavy and unrecognized.
5. Misuse of Technology:
   • Diagnostic tools are illegally used to determine and eliminate female fetuses.
   • Medical professionals often collude in this misuse.
6. Weak Legal Enforcement:
   • The Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (1994) prohibits sex selection.
   • Poor enforcement, limited focus on actual abortion practices, and under-regulated clinics allow the practice to continue.