Indians abort 900,000 girl foetuses a year
Randeep Ramesh; 26/4/08
The Indian Government has signalled that it would be imposing tougher sentences on doctors who illegally abort female foetuses — a tacit admission that the law was not working. Experts estimate India has lost 10 million girls in the past 20 years. Yet in the 14 years since selective abortion was outlawed, only two doctors has been convicted of the crime — and officials admit one of those is back in business. The reason, says the Government, is that under the existing act doctors are only suspended, face a fine of 50,000 rupees ($A1317) and a jail term of three months.
Tags: Gender, India, Womens Rights