Child Sex ratio in India has declined from 927 in 2001 Census to 919 in 2011 census. Sex selective abortion is one of the primary factor instrumental in the skewing the population’s gender demography. It not only distorts the natural sex ratio but also reinforces discriminatory practices against women. 

Prevalence of selective abortion can be attributed to following reasons:

1. Societal Attitude:

• Patriarchal mindset – The practice of preference for a boy child over a girl , belief that only the son can perform last rites , that the lineage and inheritance runs through male line , men are the bread-winners and they will look after the parents in old age, etc. result in female foeticides.
• Hidden costs of raising a girl child – especially in light of increasing crimes against women particularly in smaller towns and villages, reputation of families are linked to character of daughters.
• Economic Factors –
  Asset Vs Liability : Due to patriarchal mindset Boys are often seen as an asset and girl as a liability. This is aggravated by the menace of Dowry.
  Producer Vs Consumer: male is expected to work and earn, whereas a female is supposed to do household tasks and be economically dependent.

2. Poor implementation of laws :

• Laws like PCPNDT act ( Pre -Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Test), MTP act are not enforced strictly and properly.
• Apathy of local authorities- no sense of responsibilities among the district health officials, local police for taking prompt action.

3. Poor Medical Ethics :

• Prevalence of sex determination practices and selective abortions implies lack of strong medical ethics.

4. Emphasis on family planning :

• With small families becoming the new norm and preference for a boy still existing, coupled with easy availability of sex determination and abortion facilities, female foeticides are on rise.

5. Illiteracy and poverty :

• With education such stereotypes against girl child can be broken, but lack of education and poverty have bolstered such mindsets.

Stakeholders to be held accountable –

1) District health officials- for turning blind eye on such illegal practices.
2) Law enforcement agencies viz.Local police- for complacence and non-action on complaints against violation of PCPNDT act.
3) Doctors- radiologists, surgeons and quacks performing such procedures illegally.
4) Family members- often women’s husband and in-laws force them to undergo abortions in hope for a male child.
5) Women themselves- for not raising a voice against such malpractices forced upon them

6) Society- especially the elders who promote such malpractices by enforcing them.
Solutions –
1) Strict legislation AND regulation – harsh punishments for perpetrators and violators of PCPNDT act, MTP act,etc. Regulation of private clinics. Fixing the responsibility on govt. Officials regarding supervision of such clinics.
2) Prohibition on drugs and equipments used for abortion – strict licensing and restricted distribution for ultrasound machines, drugs like Misoprostol used for abortion.
3) Behavioural change – by spreading awareness among persons about the strict persecution of such offenders, treating boys and girls equally in all aspects of life.
4) Government schemes – such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, PMJSY etc. to be implemented in effective manner to ensure benefit of girls so that they will not be considered liability.
5) Health infrastructure – appoint more government doctors and trained paramedic staff, setup more primary health care centers etc. 

6) Woman empowerment – To have a say in reproductive rights and decision making.

CONCLUSION – 

Reducing female foeticide on a war footing will go a long way in reducing the existing gender gap and bringing gender parity , which is essential for the socio-economic health of the nation.