From the Abnormal to The Normal

Title : From the Abnormal to The Normal : Preventing Sex Selective Abortions Through the Law Year of Publication : 2007 Publisher's Details : N. A Translation : N.A.

The Census 2001 recorded a decline in overall sex ratios and an alarming decline in juvenile sex ratios to the disadvantage of the girl child. Declining numbers of females in the population poses a threat to women's rights to equality and autonomy exacerbating existing inequalities.

The misuse of pre-natal diagnostic techniques is one of the reasons behind the skewed sex ratios, the regulation of this technology is done under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act 1994. Pursuant to a Supreme Court directive, amendments were affected to this law in the year 2003 intended for the regulation of ultrasound tests and pre-conception sex selective techniques. Subsequent to these developments, the Lawyers Collective undertook a research study into the manners in which the law is being implemented and interpreted and its effectiveness in preventing sex selective abortions. This publication presents an analysis of data collected, findings and recommendations for law reform towards ensuring effective and rational regulation of pre-natal and antenatal services and diagnostic technology.