Describing the practice of female foeticide as most inhuman, uncivilised and reprehensible, Dr Singh underlined that the societal discrimination against women begins at home. “It begins even before the girl child is born. The patriarchal mindset and preference for male children is compounded by unethical conduct, on the part of some medical practitioners, assisted by unscrupulous parents, who illegally offer sex determination services,” he added. Stressing the need for social awareness and strict enforcement of the pre-conception and pre-natal diagnostics techniques act, he urged all concerned to help in putting an end to this practice adopted by misuse of otherwise life saving modern technology.


The Prime Minister also asked the ministry of health to focus on orienting the million plus elected representatives of the panchayats and urban local bodies and use them as the medium for fighting this practice. He told the ministry of women & child development that it should enlist the support of women panchayat leaders and women self-help groups to strengthen the nutrition programme in our country.

Urging the participation of every citizen in empowering the girl child, the Prime Minister said that the action must begin at home, in our families and in our communities. “I do not say this as the Prime Minister of India. I say this as the proud father of three daughters. I wish for every girl in our country what I wish for my own daughters,” Dr Singh added.


The national meeting on “Save the Girl Child” was organised by the ministry of health & family welfare. The inaugural session was also addressed by Dr Anbumani Ramdoss, Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Renuka Choudhury, Minister of State for Women & Child Development and Panabaka Lakshmi, Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare. The meeting was attended by health ministers of various states and the stake holders.