Gender-biased sex selection in India: A review of the situation and interventions to counter the practice

This report on gender-biased sex selection in India is divided into six chapters, including an introduction in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 describes the laws and policies adopted by India to address gender-biased sex selection, as well as those intended to support and empower women and girls. Chapter 3 analyzes the trends and geographic variation in the sex ratio at birth and in the child sex ratio. Chapter 4 briefly describes the socioeconomic differences and factors underlying distorted sex ratios and gender-biased sex selection in India, and the social consequences of these practices. Experiences in implementing the PCPNDT Act, initiatives intended to restrict and monitor the use of technology for prenatal sex-selection, initiatives intended to build gender equality, and advocacy measures are described in Chapter 5. Chapter 6 summarizes the key findings and highlights promising areas for further research