The liability for female foeticide may vary from case to case. In India, the situation is such that the mother is equally agreeable to it as the father.

ALL INDIA Women Congress (AIWC) President Anita Verma’s press statement on foeticide came as a big shock to all women in India. She said that women are solely responsible for female foeticide, and even referred to women as murderers and labelled foeticide as the biggest crime. However, she later disowned the press statement after it met with harsh response from women’s Non-Government Organization (NGOs) and rights activists.

“It is surprising to hear from woman, what we should expect from male dominated society?” said young housewife.

“Tomorrow these leaders may blame us for rape case,” added another working lady professional.

It is unfortunate, that in a country like India sex determination and selective abortions are worsening the sex ratio. This gender issue is affecting the sex composition in Indian households despite government efforts to introduce various programmes for girl child. There is no need to describe the main factors responsible for it. Indian culture is to be blamed for it, which still idolizes sons and gives a low status to women. Women have progressed in almost all fields, but the age old belief that women are ritually contaminateable, physically weak and lack of strong will power still persists.

“We have to drop out the old age belief that is not possible in our country because traditional values are much stronger than new age principle,” said an engineering executive.

“I think our women leaders are unsuccessful in this matter and AIWC statement inviting more trouble to females instead of giving solution,” added another executive.

Now the question arises, whether women are responsible for female foeticide? The liability for female foeticide may vary from case to case. In India, the situation is such that the mother is equally agreeable to it as the father. A joint approval of both husband and wife is required for female foeticide. But it is wrong to put the whole blame on women. Conservative thinking and strong preference for sons are responsible for increasing number of foeticide in the country. The government’s awareness efforts, dowry protection laws, ban on foeticide medical practitioner, etc., have failed to impress people; there is need to change the mindset of people. It is our society that is sole responsible for female foeticide.