Posted on 12/12/2006 4:26:26 PM PST by wagglebee
New Delhi, India (LifeNews.com) -- A new report released on Tuesday by the United Nations agency UNICEF finds that India's practice of abortion on female unborn children is still alarmingly high. The report indicates 7,000 fewer female babies are born every day because parents can determine the sex of their unborn baby and kill her before birth.
The study shows that, in 80 percent of India's districts, a higher percentage of boys are born now than a decade ago.
The report cites the increased availability of cheap ultrasound technology as playing a role despite attempts by the India government to crack down on its use.
UNICEF says the resulting gender imbalance from sex selection abortions is particularly prevalent in the wealthier regions of the nation where access to the ultrasound technology easier.
Deepa Jain Singh, secretary to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, told the International Herald Tribune the report is a surprise because of government efforts for years at targeting the non-medical use of ultrasounds and encouraging families to welcome girl babies.
"It was a surprise because there is so much awareness being generated about the need to cherish the girl child," Singh said. "We have to address this in a big way. We have no option."
UNICEF based the findings on Indian census data and they follow a report earlier this year from the British medical journal Lancet, which estimated that 10 million baby girls have probably been aborted in the last 20 years.
The new report shows a severe gender imbalance with 799 girls born in 2001 for every thousand boys in the wealthier northern state of Punjab, down from 875 in 1991. The neighboring state of Haryana saw the ratio drop from 879 to 823.
The results show that a 1994 law prohibiting the use of ultrasounds to determine the sex of a baby for non-medical reasons is not working, even though the Indian government has announced several recent arrests in a renew effort to enforce the law.
The UNICEF report also shows that even if girls are born, they are at a much higher risk of dying in their first year after birth as some Indians resort to infanticide or neglect when a girl is born.
"After birth, son-preference continues to persist leading to the neglect of girls and their lack of access to nutrition, health and maternal care in these critical early years," the report said.
In September, the Haryana government said that people who bring it information about illegal sex-selection abortions or ultrasound use will receive rewards.
The Haryana health department says it will pay informers about $215 dollars U.S. for information leading to the apprehension of violators.
India officials also indicated they would pay another $215 for people willing to serve as pretend customers at medical clinics and doctor's offices to help expose those who violate the laws.
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I have to wonder what will happen when millions of more men are born in India and China and don't have women to marry. At some point aren't men going to seek out women, and not be able to find enough?
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I would imagine one thing that will change is the practice of the wife's family paying a dowry. Pretty soon it will be the man's family that has to pay up. Even ancient customs won't be able to buck the supply/demand curve.
There is no way a Christian would do this. My suspicion is that it will in the long run mean growth of the Christian community as a percent of the whole.
"It was a surprise because there is so much awareness being generated about the need to cherish the girl child," Singh said. "We have to address this in a big way. We have no option."
A surprise? Really? I didn't find it surprising. Anytime the United (k)Nuckleheads addresses a problem, you can almost count on it getting worse.
Horrible. BTW, why aren't feminists all over this? Don't they care about unborn women?
"There is no way a Christian would do this. My suspicion is that it will in the long run mean growth of the Christian community as a percent of the whole."
Well, many nominal Christians eliminate their unborn children. But your point is well taken. Interesting that also that one of the hindu castes (the Dalits or untouchables) are becoming Christians in record numbers.
Now what was that passage about the stone that was rejected?
"Horrible. BTW, why aren't feminists all over this? Don't they care about unborn women?"
(Chuckle.) You already know the answer.
I forgot my /sarc tag, I figured no one would need it!
Take a look at this - explains why feminazism and the "gay" agenda are hand in hand, so to speak:
Gay Liberation Manifesto (1972)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1751204/posts
GE Medical division manufacturers ultra sound machines in India for use in this market and world wide.
I am surprised the involvement of GE has never been made an issue...
GE Medical division manufacturers ultra sound machines in India for use in this market and world wide.
I am surprised the involvement of GE has never been made an issue...
It should be. Where are business ethics any more?
Answer: Rarely found.
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