Union minister’s statement sparks row over unborn’s gender

Union women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi on Monday proposed that expecting mothers should be told the gender of the child. The minister was speaking her thoughts about Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act at the All India Regional Editors Conference in Jaipur. However, her statement has now sparked a debate in different sections. WTN brings before you what experts feel about it.

2011Population Census reveals the population ratio in India 2011 was 940 females per 1000 males. The Sex Ratio in 2011 shows an upward trend from the census 2001 data which had 933 females against 1000 males.

Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology department, Chirayu Hospital Dr Anjali Kanhere expressing her thoughts said, “Ban on foetus sex determination came about two decades ago, yet people continue to abort unborn girls. Maybe legalizing it can yield the desired results. I hope this change in strategy works.”

On the other hand, obstetrician and gynecologist from People’s Medical College and Research Centre,Dr Chhaya Budhwani voicing her concern said, “I personally feel the proposal will be a relief for medical practitioners especially the sinologists who have very complicated forms to fill in. However, I am not sure it will normalize or better the existing sex ratio. On the contrary, it will give the public and certain medical practitioners a free hand to abort female foetuses. With the ban at least, the people fear the law.”

Confirming Dr Budhwani’s fears, an expecting mother Hansika Pahuja seemed quite thrilled at the news. Pahuja is a 35 year old housewife who is expecting her second baby. Her first child is a daughter. Reacting to the news she said, “If the legalization happens, I would like to know the sex of my baby simply for curiosity sake. Of course, if it is a girl I will be fine with it but if it is a boy there would be a lot of excitement in the family.” When asked whether she would succumb to the family pressure to abort the baby in case it is a female, Pahuja replied in the negative.

What remains to be seen is how many such expectant mothers choose to stand by the sex of their unborn female babies and whether the new law can help better the sex ratio.

Source: www.census2011.co.in

-Window To News Network