Misuse of technology

That doctors provide the facility of sex determination test right at the doorstep in Haryana has been known for long. Sirsa is not an exception. People have been taking advantage of portable technological devices to eliminate unborn daughters despite the PC-PNDT Act right under the nose of the health authorities. Social consensus and approval for male preference contributes to the silent elimination of daughters. By banning tests, not much has been availed; those responsible for the implementation of the law come from the same block where daughters are not desired. More girls have been eliminated since the law against female foeticide has come into existence. 

A social problem of such dimensions, deep-rooted and widely practised, cannot be eliminated by framing laws alone. It calls for a strong political will that could lead to a social movement of sorts to bring about a balance in the skewed sex ratio that stands at 837 girls for every 1000 boys in the below-six age group in the state. Girls are a fast vanishing tribe, and it is a reality. A recent United Nations Population Fund report warns that female deficit in the marriageable age (20-49) is set to touch 25 million by the year 2030.The impact is already felt in pockets of Haryana, where men do not find brides and are forced to buy women from Jharkhand and Orissa.  

With the focus of gender issues being restricted to sexual violence, more pressing issues like the skewed sex ratio have taken a back seat. Ironically, the voters of Haryana voted for 'development' in the recently held elections, their idea of development did not include gender equality. Political parties of all shades, knowing well the patriarchal preference, barely mentioned the worrying pattern of falling gender ratio. While confiscating portable machines and arresting the culprits is a good step, it's not enough. The new government should start a social-awakening campaign to save society from serious repercussions arising out of social imbalance.