Two incidents have cumulated in this write up. One is the mention of international attention the issue of female foeticide is getting according to an aquaintance and second the rally organised by my father and his unit for the same cause. The second one had a deeper impact because I was quite against the hungama being created for the issue. I have various reasons for that.
In first place, a foetus is a foetus and not a person so its not a "murder" and applies just as much to all the foetuses. Abortion is a legal procedure and in truth a feminist right. The law forbids sex predetermination on the basis of which the female foetuses a not allowed to be "murdered"(and i have deep regard for that) with all the parties liable including doctors or the abortionists.. However, imagine the despration of a couple who would go to the extreames of finding a doctor to do this test and then paying an astronomical sum just so they are not stuck with a girl child.

Any child born to such a family just because of legal pressures is bound to be abused and harassed. The law can ensure female children to be born but they can't force their families to love them and not reduce them to mere house hold servants. It is here I disagree with the statenment made by Renuka Chawdhary, (Minister of family welfare). She had mentioned how women should be empowered. You cant "give" freedom and empowerment to people. Female foeticide is just the result of scientific technology that exists, before people simply murdered the female infant, probably still do.. Its an ancient patriachal setup that we are fighting against, an extention of culture and tradition we are so hell bent on preserving. To prevent female foeticide and for parents not WANTING to commit female foeticide, its important to change the mindset of people. Running rallies once a year and making legislations is not enough.

In the state of Haryana, sex ratio is as low as 500 to 1000 boys and the average is 700 to 1000(citations needed). When I walk by, here on the streeets I see a nursing home or hospital in ramshackly premises and I cant help but wonder how many are involved in this barbaric process. Female foeticide is the tip of feminine problems in this country, Just letting a girl child be born is not enough from government side, she needs protection from abuse, harrassment, and deserves education and empowerment which the state is yet to ensure at grassroot levels. Girls need not just be born, they need both love and respect. Its our duty to ensure that!