In response to a concerning sex ratio at birth of just 882 females per 1,000 males, the Bihar government has pledged to strictly enforce laws against female foeticide. Health Minister Mangal Pandey highlighted the need for community engagement and awareness campaigns to combat this issue, while officials have been instructed to implement the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act rigorously. The initiative aims to change societal attitudes towards girl children and promote gender equality in the state.
Critical Statistics and Government Response
Bihar’s latest figures reveal a declining sex ratio at birth, dropping from 894 in 2022-23 to 882 in 2023-24, placing it among the worst-performing states in India. Health Minister Mangal Pandey emphasized that this trend is alarming and requires immediate action. The state has launched the Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojna, which aims to support girls from birth through their education, as part of a broader strategy to prevent female foeticide and improve gender parity. “Female foeticide is not just a legal issue but a moral one,” Pandey stated, urging society to value daughters as much as sons.
Awareness Campaigns and Community Engagement
To bolster these efforts, the Bihar government has directed district officials to intensify awareness campaigns promoting the celebration of girl children. Harjot Kaur Bamhrah, Additional Chief Secretary of the Social Welfare Department, noted that a letter has been sent to all District Magistrates (DMs) to ensure strict compliance with the PC-PNDT Act. “We need to change mindsets; people should celebrate the birth of a girl child,” she asserted. The campaign will include community mobilization and training sessions aimed at educating families about the importance of gender equality.
Background on Female Foeticide in India
Female foeticide remains a significant issue across India, exacerbated by cultural preferences for male children. Despite various government initiatives like the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme launched in 2015, enforcement of existing laws has often been inadequate. Reports indicate that approximately 4.6 crore females are “missing” due to son preference across the country. The Bihar government’s renewed focus on enforcement comes amid broader national efforts to address this persistent problem.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Logical Indian advocates for gender equality and supports the Bihar government’s initiative to combat female foeticide through stringent law enforcement and community awareness. It is crucial that society collectively shifts its perspective on the value of girl children. As we engage in this dialogue, we ask our readers: What steps do you think are necessary to further promote gender equality and protect the rights of girl children in our communities?
