Beladhiyani Upper, a small village in Rupnagar district, has been honoured for the third time for consistent efforts to improve the child sex ratio. Of the 113 children up to six years in the village, 73 are girls.
The child sex ratio is a staggering 1,825 girls per 1,000 boys.
“Panchayat members, especially women, are playing a proactive role in creating awareness against female foeticide. We identify and then educate pregnant women to ensure that no child is killed before birth,” said Anita Devi, sarpanch of the village.
“We urge them not to undergo sex determination tests,” says Anita, mother of three, including two daughters.
“A majority of the population in our village comprises daily wagers and small farmers. We also educate families about the incentives being given by the state government under the girl child scheme,” she added.
Navjot Kaur Sidhu, chief parliamentary secretary (CPS), health and family welfare, said, “Panchayats should help the government nab doctors involved in sex determination. They should send decoy patients and get erring doctors booked with the help of the authorities to ensure that the girl child lives.”