Minister, rights body explore law for child sex surgeries

The Union ministry of women and child development is exploring the possibility of forming a law to deal with sex change surgeries performed on children. Amrita U Kadam reports.

The Union ministry of women and child development is exploring the possibility of forming a law to deal with sex change surgeries performed on children.

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Following a report published by HT, Union minister Krishna Tirath has asked the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to look into the matter.

On Sunday, HT reported genitoplasty, a sex change operation, was being conducted on girls aged 1 to 5 years to turn them into boys. Doctors conducting the operations claimed the internal organs of these girls did not match their external genitalia.

The ministry has also sought a report from Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

“We have asked the NCPCR to suggest if it is possible to bring in a regulation and monitor these surgeries,” Tirath told HT.

The NCPCR is forming a team which will reach Indore soon to investigate the matter. Vinod Tikku, NCPCR member, said: “We are looking forward to exploring the possibility of a legislation.”