New Delhi: In what may have far-reaching effects, sex determination tests may be legalized for eradicating female foeticide. Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi stated this while speaking at the concluding session of the two-day national thematic workshop on women and child development here today.
The workshop was held ahead of the launch of the ambitious “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao programme” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here tomorrow.
Maneka responded positively to the suggestion of Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Pankaja Munde making sex determination tests mandatory as it will help in checking female foeticide. She said she would consider and give it a practical shape.
Maneka said, “Instead of harassing gynaecologists, if we could somehow make it legal, it would be more sensible in checking female foeticide.”
Earlier, Pankaja Munde suggested that sex determination tests should be made mandatory as it would be easy to keep an eye on women and in case of abortion for getting rid of a female child, they should be punished.
Currently, sex determination tests are illegal under the PNDT Act. Several doctors across the country have been booked under this Act for determining sex of the unborn during pregnancy.
“Women development might get a boost if 33 per cent reservation for women in police is ensured and if national commission for women is given judicial powers. I have made these two demands after becoming a minister and these are still pending”, Maneka said.
Earlier, experts spoke on a number of topics, including violence against women, nutrition and health, improving child sex ratio and importance of girl child.
Haryana Women and Child Development Minister Kavita Jain, her Rajasthan and MP counterparts Anita Baghel and Maya Singh, respectively, also expressed their views.
National Commission for Women Lalita Kumaramanglam said women themselves were responsible for their plight and men could not be squarely blamed for this.
"We need to educate girls and impart them skills. Most importantly, it is in our hands to empower women," she said, adding that the BJP government would pass the Women's Reservation Bill even if it does not happen in the budget session beginning next month.
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