Abstract

The impact of Indian laws on female foeticide and its enforcement is unclear. United National Population Fund and India’s National Human Rights Commission, in 2009, asked the Government of India to assess the impact of the law. The Public Health Foundation of India, and premier research organization in its 2010 report, claimed a lack of awareness about the Act in parts of India, inactive role of the Appropriate Authorities, ambiguity among some clinics that offer prenatal care services and the role of a few medical practitioners in disregarding the law. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India has targeted education and media advertisements to reach clinics and medical professionals to increase awareness. The Indian Medical Association has undertaken efforts to prevent prenatal sex selection by giving its members Beti Bachao (save the daughter) badges during its meetings and conferences. However, a recent study by Nandi and Deolalikar argues that the 1994 PNDT Act may have had a small impact by preventing 106000 female foeticides over one decade.