To prevent female foeticide, several measures can be taken at the societal, governmental, and community levels. These include:
Step 1: Legal measures:
- Strengthening and enforcing laws that prohibit sex-selective abortion, such as the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994 in India, which bans sex determination tests and sex-selective abortions.
- Ensuring stringent punishment for doctors and clinics involved in illegal sex-selective abortions.
Step 2: Educational programs:
- Promoting awareness about the ethical implications of female foeticide and the importance of gender equality through education and media campaigns.
- Educating women and families about their legal rights and the dangers of sex-selective abortion.
Step 3: Social support and empowerment:
- Empowering women by providing them with better access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.
- Supporting community-based programs that encourage gender equality and challenge traditional gender roles.
Step 4: Monitoring and surveillance:
- Setting up systems to monitor and investigate cases of illegal sex-selective abortions, ensuring that authorities are aware of and can intervene in high-risk areas.