Keeping the declining number of women in the society, it was realised that if the trend continued, the situation would worsen in the coming time. If the data are viewed, it is found that there were 972 females per 1,000 males in 1901, while the figures in 2001 were 933 and 1,000. In Sitapur the number of females per 1,000 men was just 922. Keeping this in view the organisation felt need to sensitise the community on this issue in collaboration with Vatsalya. The following activities were held towards this:

District Level Sensitisation Workshop

Seeing the increasing incidences of female foeticide, a district level sensitisation workshop was organised in the auditorium of the Vikas Bhawan. District level officials and employees, members of community based organisations, representatives of the voluntary organisations like Mahila Samakhya, Nehru Yuva Kendra, CARE, SEWA, PACE, and media representatives participated. During this workshop, the participants were sensitised through charts with declining sex ratio in the country and Sitapur district and reasons of female foeticide were highlighted. The participants were sensitised about female foeticide through check-up through scientific methods like ultrasound. They were also told about the PPNDT Advisory Committee formed at the district level and the law framed by the government. It was emphasised to bring change in the thinking to stop this heinous crime. A total of 64 persons participated in this workshop.

Training to Panchayat Representatives and Civil Leaders

It was observed during discussions and meetings with the community based organisations, other organisations and panchayat representatives that in each panchayat sex of foetus was determined by any mean and then pregnancy was terminated. Keeping this in mind, a one-day training was organised at the block level to sensitise the participants with declining number of girls in the society. Pradhan, members, citizen leaders, active members of groups, doctors, Pramukh, up-pramukh, sub-district magistrate, media persons and representatives of voluntary organisations participated in the workshop. Data pertaining to sexual discrimination at the state, district and tehsil level presented in the workshop and information was provided with regard to the consequences of termination of pregnancy for women after mounting pressure on them. After this, legal information regarding the PPNDT Act was given. Attempts were made to sensitise the participants about the functioning of the District Advisory Committee and its role.

Formation of Block Level PPNDT Advisory Committee

A need was felt to constitute a block level advisory committee to prevent heinous crime of female foeticide during the district level workshop and training so different stakeholders in urban and rural areas could be sensitised regarding this crime. Keeping this in view, block level advisory committee was formed. This committee has superintendent of the Community Health Centre, two doctors, one lady doctor and a representative of voluntary organisation.

Meetings of PPNDT District Advisory Committee

To prevent female foeticide, meetings of the advisory committee formed at the district level were held. During these meetings, detailed discussions were held about the functions and roles of the PPNDT Advisory Committee. It transpired that all the ultrasound centres be registered and they should prominently display that sex was not determined here. Registered doctors be checked regularly and attempts be made to curb their illegal activities. It was also decided at the meeting that names and addresses of the Advisory Committee be displayed at the hospitals and public places so every one has information about them. The advisory committee will meet once in three months. Later it was decided unanimously that the committee will conduct raids and sensitise the community for social change.

Screening of Video Film on Cable Network

To sensitise the community about female foeticide films like Aatmaja and Mook-Cheek were screened on cable network.

Essay Writing Competition

Keeping the continued decline in the number of girls in the society, it was observed that if adolescent boys and girls were sensitised on the female foeticide this heinous crime could be checked in the time to come. For this essay writing competitions were organised in the schools and colleges. A total of 205 students participated and 52 of them were awarded by the organisation.

Rally and Street Plays

To reach the message of female foeticide to the people, rallies and street plays were organised in urban areas of Mishrikh development block and gram panchayats. Community members, including women, were greatly influenced by the women raising slogans in the rally. They became sensitised with the declining number of girls.

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