FEMALE FOETICIDE IN INDIA :
A MOVING TREND
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
RTM NAGPUR UNIVERSITY, NAGPUR
N AT I O N A L S E M I N A R
Female Foeticide in India :
a Moving Trend
th
DATE 11 February, 2013
Dear friend/colleague
The Department of Sociology, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur,
is organizing a one day national seminar on the theme entitled
“Female Foeticide in India: A Moving Trend”, on 11th February,
2013, at Guru Nanak Bhawan, Near University Boys Hostel,
University Campus, Amravati Road, Nagpur. It is anticipated
that the seminar will be hugely attended by the
teachers/delegates extensively representing the teaching
fraternity of various interdisciplinary subjects such as Sociology,
Social Work, History, Political Science, Economics, Psychology,
Women Studies, and the Studies concerning Social Planning and
Management, Arts & Humanities and Medical Science as well.
The research scholars and students across the disciplines are also
anticipated to participate in this seminar in large numbers. Your
presence in the seminar would immensely contribute towards
making the deliberations fruitful and inspiring. You are,
therefore, cordially invited to attend the seminar along with your
friends and colleagues.
About the Theme
Killing of female child has been a phenomenal characteristic of
Indian society under the rule of patriarchy since ancient days.
The practice first dubbed as female infanticide came into vogue
due to the lack of scientific discovery and unavailability of
modern and progressive technology and sophisticated sex
determining instruments. With sufficient availability and
extensive supply of such sophisticated sex determination
techniques in the health institutions and clinics, there have been
hundreds of incidences of female foeticide surfacing and hence
assuming an alarming proportion across the country at present. It
seems that the sex determination test leading to identification of
the sex of unborn child has made the practice of killing the female
child unnoticed and easier than before. The practice that
commenced in India under the influence of the deeply rooted
patriarchy, that is, to prove the strength of man over woman, has
also been influenced by poverty and dowry. The practice of the
phenomenon of female foeticide in India has immensely
contributed to gender inequality.
Venue
GURU NANAK BHAWAN
UNIVERSITY CAMPUS, NAGPUR
The belief that the higher incidence of female foeticide was
committed among the rural people, the poor, the uneducated and
those unable to pay the dowry has been proved wrong at the
present juncture of time. The practice of female foeticide now is
seen increasingly disseminating from the country's rural, poor
and uneducated to the urban, affluent and educated classes as
well. It seems to be showing a moving trend and rather getting
further escalated even with the improvement in the living
standard of the average of India's population, growth in per
capita income, rise in the rational thinking and development in
the educational and cultural level of the society.
FEMALE FOETICIDE IN INDIA : A MOVING TREND
From past to the present society, enormous efforts had been
undertaken by the social thinkers, reformers and philanthropists
to put an end to the practice of killing of the female child, either in
the form of female infanticide or female foeticide. In spite of all
their efforts the practice has been continued and posing a big
threat to the mankind by creating unendurable imbalance in male
female population of the country. The laws are not adequate and
effective to curb the menace created by the practice of female
foeticide. Even the law enforcing agencies are seen as ineffective
and weak as that of the law itself to check the growing practice of
female foeticide in the country.
With judiciary's professed commitment to eradicate female
foeticide by punishing all those responsible for the heinous crime
the rise of this crime has remained unabated. Selective abortions
of the female foetuses have become a common trend and led to
disturb the male-female ratio in the country over a period of time.
The sex ratio has dropped from 972 females per 1000 males in
1991 to 933 females per 1000 males in 2001. The drop in sex ratio
against the females is expected to show further decline with the
sex determination techniques reaching to the doorsteps of all
hospitals and even PHCs in rural communities and being misused
for wrong intention. Female foeticide in 21st century India is a
biggest challenge against the laws of the land in general and
women's empowerment in particular. Eradication of this practice
is the urgent need of the hour and thus becomes a genuine concern
of each one of us.
Aims and Objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
To examine the socio-cultural contexts giving rise to the
practice of killing of female child in India.
To understand the purpose behind the use (rather misuse) of
the sex determination tests promoting female foeticide in the
country.
To explore the factors determining female foeticide.
To examine the socio-legal implications of female foeticide
in the country.
To find out the ways and means adopted by the Government
of India or various state Governments to eradicate the
practice of female foeticide.
To find out the ineffectiveness of the ways and means, if any,
adopted by various Governments in curbing the practice of
female foeticide.
4.
5.
6.
Female Foeticide: A Challenge to Women Empowerment.
Female Foeticide and Gender Inequality in India.
Feminist Concerns for Female Foeticide in India.
Paper presentation
The delegates interested in paper presentation are requested to
send an abstract of their paper on any of the sub-themes in 250
words before 30th November and the full paper before 30th
December, 2012. Both abstracts and papers must be in Times
New Roman, MS Word, font 12, if in English language. For those
sending abstracts and papers in Hindi and Marathi language must
type them in Krutidev and send by both MS Word and PDF, font
14. The paper for presentation must be marked as “Paper for
presentation” with bold letters. All abstracts and papers must be
sent on the Email Id: ff.seminar@gmail.com
Publication of research papers
A seminar proceeding in the book form is being published by
DATTSONS, Nagpur, with ISBN No. Those interested in
research publication can send their papers in English, Hindi and
Marathi languages not exceeding 5000 words latest by 30th
November, 2012, on the Email Id: ff.seminar@gmail.com All
the papers received for publication will go through thorough
scrutiny by a committee of experts. In addition to the registration
fee of Rs. 400/- to be paid at the time of sending papers for
publication, the delegates are also required to pay an additional
amount of Rs. 600/- as publication charge immediately after
receiving the acceptance for publication. The rules regarding the
fonts, font size and other details about sending papers for
publication are the same as mentioned under paper presentation.
References (both from book and article in journals) must be
given in body text within brackets e.g. (2010: 2-3) or (Merton,
1981: 37) or (Sharma, 1999). Page number needs to be
mentioned in case the matter is directly quoted/cited from
another source. The bibliography of the references used in the
body text must be given alphabetically at the end of the
conclusion without mentioning the numbers, for example, as
mentioned below.
Sharma, K.L. 1980. Essays on Social Stratification. Jaipur:
Rawat Publications: 5-7. (example of book citation)
Reiss, Albert. J. Jr. 1955. 'Occupational Mobility of Professional
Workers', American Sociological Review, 20 (6): 693. (example
of article citation from journal)
Sub-Themes of the Seminar
1.
2.
3.
Female Foeticide in India: Its Socio-Cultural Contexts.
Female Foeticide: Its Socio-Legal Implications
Role of Judiciary in eradicating the Problem of Female
Foeticide.
Runciman, W.G. 1969. 'The Three Dimensions of Social
Inequality', in Andre Beteille (ed.), Social Inequality. Penguin
Books. (example of citation from edited book). The paper for
publication must be marked as “Paper for Publication” with
bold letters.
About the City
Nagpur, traditionally known as the 'Orange City', is one of
the budding cities of the country and acquiring a distinct
place in the state of Maharashtra as its second capital.
Being centrally located, the city is very
well connected with different parts of
the country through air, rail and
roadways. It has a rich cultural
heritage with marked diversity of
population which aims towards its
unity. The beauty of the city has been
added by the huge historical
monument in Deeksha Bhoomi,
constructed in the cherished memory
of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, lakes
and wide roads all over. There are few
historical and natural places of interest
like Ram Temple and Kalidas
Memorial at Ramtek, a big lake at
Khindsi and Tiger Sanctuary at Pench,
at a nearer distance of 50 Kms away
from the city of Nagpur. The onset of
MIHAN, a multiple business hub, has
implanted hopes in hundreds of
thousands of people of the city for
proliferating business activities and
hence the economic boon. The city
has emerged not only in terms of its
industrial and business concerns but
also in the expansion of a balanced
service sector followed by tremendous
growth in amusement parks, health
clubs, laughter clubs, sports and yoga
centres. The city offers its vast
population very wider scope for
engagement in diverse occupational
realms. The city witnesses a trouble
free, smooth and cohesive social life. It
is due to this characteristic feature of
the city that it experiences large
magnitude of exodus of people from
various parts of the country every year.
Accommodation
Accommodation can be made on extra payment only after a
request from the concerned delegate. The delegate seeking
accommodation may contact Dr. Ashok T. Borkar,
ab_nu@rediffmail.com, one of the members of the organizing
committee, for the type of accommodation desired by him/her
and the rent he/she is supposed to pay well in advance. Only after
receiving the rent from the delegate the accommodation will be
booked.
Registration fee
Rs. 400/- (Rs. 600/- extra for those wishing to publish paper in
seminar proceeding with ISBN No.)
The participants can send the registration fee by the Crossed
Demand Draft drawn in favour of Head of the Department of
Sociology, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University,
payable at Bank of India, RTM Nagpur University Campus
Branch, Amravati Road, Nagpur, addressed to the Head, Dept. of
Sociology, Mahatma Phule Educational Campus, Amravati
Road, Nagpur 440 033, Email Id: bkswain_47@yahoo.com,
09422823634.
Source of Inspiration:
Dr. Vilas S. Sapkal
Hon'ble Vice - Chancellor,
Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur
Members of Advisory Committee:
Dr. P.L. Bhandarkar
Dr. P.S. Bobde
Dr. Vinayak S. Deshpande
Dr. Shrikant Komawar
Dr. Sanjay Dudhe
Dr. Prakash Hiwarkar
Dr. Mohan Kashikar
Dr. Neelima Deshmukh
Dr. B.K. Khadse
Shri. Manohar B. Bute
Seminar Director:
Dr. B. K. Swain
Head, Dept. of Sociology
Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur
Cell: +91 9422823634, e-mail: bkswain_47@yahoo.com
Members of Organizing Committee:
Dr. Ashok T. Borkar
Cell : +91 9423105784
email : ab_nu@rediffmail.com
Dr. Pradeep Meshram
Cell : +91 9372640165
email : raju.meshram26@gmail.com
Shri. Sunil Babu C. T.
Cell : +91 8087105893
email : sunilbabujnu@gmail.com
PROGRAMME SCHEDULE
Monday
11th February
2013
8. 30 a.m. to 9. 30 a.m.
9. 30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.
10.30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
6 p.m. to 6. 30 p.m.
Registration with breakfast & tea
Inauguration
1st Technical Session
Lunch break
2nd Technical Session
Concluding Session
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
RTM NAGPUR UNIVERSITY, NAGPUR
N AT I O N A L S E M I N A R
Female Foeticide in India :
a Moving Trend
th
DATE 11 February, 2013
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