Article Source: Asian Age

Date of Issue: September 27, 2007

Title of the article: Female foeticide sparks discussion

Celebrating Intern-ational Girl Child Day on Monday, YUVA, an association of Youth Volunteers, working for CRY - Child Rights & You, organised a day-long event at the Delhi School of Economics and Little Theatre Group Auditorium to focus attention on the girl child, particularly on the issue of female foeticide.

"Rang 2007 - Paint another future for the girl child", is the first step of YUVA's campaign. Apparently, the issue of sex selective abortion and female foeticide is well-known, but the public response is low because the emotional connect cannot be felt.

YUVA organised a panel discussion and screening of films on the girl child. The speakers present on the occasion were Dr Tripta Gupta, State Appropriate Authority (PNDT), Govt of NCT, Dr Puneet Bedi, ex-officio member of the supervisory board, PNDT Act, Sabu George, social activist and Reena Bhattacharya.

Speaking about the issue, Dr Gupta spoke of the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act being strict, but that it was "difficult to catch offenders".

Dr Puneet Bedi described female foeticide as genocide, "It is a crime and violence of the worst form," he said. He termed the ultrasound technique as "a weapon of mass destruction".

Reema Bhattacharya said that "these practices continue because people do not react. She demanded the need to know why the PCPNDT Act has not worked.

The programme at the Little Theatre Group (LTG) Auditorium featured a dance performance by Benu Verma, Salsa India in collaboration with Danceworx.

Speaking on the occasion, Shayoni Sarkar, coordinator, YUVA said, "Sex selective abortions are directly connected with the growth of the number of ultrasound clinics. It's ironical how technology that should actually aid development is being used in such a malevolent manner. Curiously, this is more prevalent in urban areas rather than rural. It's an evil mix of affluence and technology." Agreed Prita Das Gupta, coordinator volunteer action, CRY said, "It is the passion and sincerity of the youth that will help bring about effective change. At CRY, we believe that change is possible only when you address the root cause of why a problem exists. All this starts with an attitudinal change that the volunteers are trying hard to build. Permanent change can only be brought about by a strong movement for child rights. In urban areas it is the youth and volunteers, who will spearhead this."