Pre-conception and pre-natal diagnostic techniques (PC&PNDT) is a term used to describe the use of medical technology to determine the sex of an unborn child, and also to identify any genetic abnormalities or disorders that might be present during pregnancy. This has led to the development of the PC&PNDT Act, which was introduced in India in 1994 to prohibit sex selection and ensure gender equality. This blog will provide an overview of the PC&PNDT Act, its impact on Indian society, and some examples of its implementation.
Firstly, the PC&PNDT Act was introduced to address the problem of female foeticide in India, which has become a serious issue due to sex-selective abortions. This is mainly due to cultural beliefs and practices that favor male children over female children. These beliefs are deeply ingrained in Indian society, and have resulted in a severe gender imbalance, as well as the marginalization and discrimination of women in various aspects of life. Thus, the government of India felt that it was imperative to address this issue to help women and improve gender equality.
The Act prohibits the use of PC&PNDT techniques for sex selection, and also mandates the registration, inspection, and licensing of all ultrasound and other medical facilities that can carry out these procedures. Its purpose is to prevent the use of technology for sex selection, as well as to ensure that medical facilities adhere to strict ethical standards when offering PC&PNDT services.
The Act also prohibits the use of any advertisement, notice, or sign that promotes prenatal sex determination, as well as the sale, purchase, or transfer of any product or substance that is intended to be used for sex selection. Furthermore, it criminalizes any act or omission that violates the Act, and provides for harsh penalties and punishment for those who commit such offenses.
The PC&PNDT Act has had a significant impact on Indian society, particularly on the issue of gender equality. By prohibiting sex selection, it has helped to reduce the gender imbalance, and has also raised awareness about the problem of female foeticide in the country. It has also helped to empower women, by giving them the right to make informed decisions about their bodies and their lives, without the fear of being subjected to discrimination or violence.
One of the main examples of the successful implementation of the PC&PNDT Act has been the establishment of the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ (Save the girl child, educate the girl child) campaign, which was launched in 2015. This campaign was aimed at raising awareness about the issue of female foeticide, and promoting gender equality by educating the masses about the importance of girls’ education and the need to protect their lives.
Through this campaign, the government of India has sought to address the stigma attached to having a daughter, and has provided financial incentives to encourage parents to send their daughters to school. It has also implemented various other initiatives to promote the cause of gender equality, such as the introduction of schemes to provide scholarships to girls from marginalized communities, and the setting up of ‘One Stop Centers’ to provide support to women who are victims of violence.
Another example of the successful implementation of the PC&PNDT Act has been the use of technology to enforce its provisions. For instance, the government of India has set up various initiatives to monitor medical facilities and ensure that they comply with the PC&PNDT Act. It has also developed a web-based system called the ‘PC&PNDT Tracking System’, which enables the monitoring and tracking of all ultrasound facilities across the country.
Through this system, medical facilities are required to register and report all PC&PNDT procedures and ultrasound tests conducted by them. This system allows the government to track and monitor suspicious activities, as well as to identify and penalize those who violate the Act.
There have been some challenges and criticisms of the PC&PNDT Act as well. One criticism is that the Act infringes upon the right to personal autonomy and freedom of choice, particularly in cases where parents want to have a child of a particular sex. However, it is important to note that the Act does not prohibit parents from having a preference for a particular sex, but merely seeks to prevent the use of technology to fulfill that preference.
Another challenge is the fact that many people still hold on to deeply ingrained cultural beliefs and practices that favor male children over female children. This has led to the continued practice of female foeticide, despite the existence of the PC&PNDT Act. In many parts of India, particularly rural areas, the Act may not always be effectively enforced, and this has resulted in the continued perpetration of sex-selective abortions.
In conclusion, the PC&PNDT Act has been a significant step towards promoting gender equality and preventing female foeticide in India. Its impact has been felt across the country, particularly through the successful implementation of various initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the issue and enforcing its provisions. However, there is still much work to be done in order to fully eradicate the practice of female foeticide and promote gender equality in India. This requires sustained efforts by the government, civil society organizations, and individuals to change deeply ingrained cultural beliefs and practices, as well as to continuously monitor and enforce the provisions of the PC&PNDT Act.