Selective Abortions and Infanticide: Three million girls "missing” in India
October 11, 2012: Some three million Indian girls were "missing" in 2011 compared
to two million boys, this according to Children in India 2012: A Statistical Appraisal
released yesterday by the Central Statistical Organisation. For Dr Pascoal Carvalho,
a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life, the figures show "that India lost three
million girls due to female infanticide." He spoke on the eve of the International
Day of the Girl.
"Strong patriarchal influence, sanctioned by India's religion,
culture and traditions, reinforces the deep-rooted bias against girls in India," Dr
Carvalho explained. "Female foeticide refers to the aborting of a foetus, purely because
she is female. Although, sex determination in India is illegal, the practice is rampant.
"
For Dr Carvalho, selective abortions and female infanticide are largely due
to a "culture of death" that is widespread in Indian society. By contrast, "Not only
has the Catholic Church always proclaimed a culture of life but it has stressed the
right to life, education, health and development for girls and women," he said. For
this reason, the Church has set aside 8 September as a day for girls.
In addition
to short term consequences, such as three million missing girls, the aforementioned
practices have long term repercussions. In fact, "Demographers warn that in 20 years
there will not be enough brides," Dr Carvalho noted. "Fertility levels are also expected
to drop. In view if this, government, civil society and families should work closely
together to stop this social malaise."
In 1994, India passed the Pre-Natal
Diagnostic Technologies Act, which bans sex-determination tests. Under the law, doctors
must give the authorities the names of patients who undergo such a test on medical
grounds, the only ones allowed. Anyone in breach of the Act could get three years
in prison and a fine of up to 10,000 rupees (about US$ 190).
In spite of the
law, female foeticide and infanticide have not stopped. This had led Maharashtra state
authorities to call on the central government to change the law to treat selective
abortion as murder, a crime punishable by life in prison or death under Article 302
of the Indian Penal Code. In their application, state officials describe their request
as the only way "to stop this type of crime against humanity".
In Haryana State,
the Health Department announced that all the pregnant women undergoing an ultrasound
test would have to submit a photocopy of their identification card at the ultrasound
centre. It would be the responsibility of the radiologist to ask for the photocopy
of the document from them.