The Delhi government, in a significant initiative, is asking all newly-weds to take an oath that they will not indulge in female foeticide and will treat the girl child just as they would take care of their boys.
The initiative was proposed by Revenue Department and it kick-started on 9 August. So far, four newly-wed couples have taken the pledge.
‘We have started administering an oath to the newly-wed couples who visit the additional district magistrates’ offices to get their marriage registered. The idea is to create awareness against female foeticide and encourage people to not opt for sonography to determine the sex of their children,’ said Som Naidu, additional district magistrate of Revenue Department.
But, the officials have also said that the pledge is not compulsory to get the marriage registered. ‘It is a voluntary act. We request them to take the oath. We give them the handout and each of them reads it (the oath) aloud to take the vow,’ he said.
In his Independence Day speech, prime minister Narendra Modi drew attention to the skewed sex ratio in the country and appealed to the people to bring an end to female foeticide.
‘Today sex ratio is 940 girls to 1,000 boys. Who is creating this imbalance? I appeal to all the doctors to not kill the unborn girl child just to fill their pockets,’ said Modi in his speech.
The initiative was proposed by Revenue Department and it kick-started on 9 August. So far, four newly-wed couples have taken the pledge.
‘We have started administering an oath to the newly-wed couples who visit the additional district magistrates’ offices to get their marriage registered. The idea is to create awareness against female foeticide and encourage people to not opt for sonography to determine the sex of their children,’ said Som Naidu, additional district magistrate of Revenue Department.
But, the officials have also said that the pledge is not compulsory to get the marriage registered. ‘It is a voluntary act. We request them to take the oath. We give them the handout and each of them reads it (the oath) aloud to take the vow,’ he said.
In his Independence Day speech, prime minister Narendra Modi drew attention to the skewed sex ratio in the country and appealed to the people to bring an end to female foeticide.
‘Today sex ratio is 940 girls to 1,000 boys. Who is creating this imbalance? I appeal to all the doctors to not kill the unborn girl child just to fill their pockets,’ said Modi in his speech.