New Delhi: Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Women and Child Development (WCD) Minister Krishna Tirath on Thursday led government officials in taking a pledge to eliminate gender biased sex-selection and violence against women in all forms.
Speaking on the occasion, Tirath said that sex selective abortion of female foetus is one of the main reasons for declining child sex ratio in the country. She said that violence against women has increased, which is a cause of serious concern. She stated that August 9, a day commemorated as anniversary of Quit India Movement, had been selected to symbolise the collective resolve of the public servants of India to make the social evil of sex selective abortion to `Quit India`.
Union Health Minister Azad said that he had written to hospitals and health care centres to take the pledge. He said that the issues of child malnutrition and sex biased abortions are national issues and need to be addressed by all. "This pledge is an initiative of the Ministry in the direction of eliminating gender-biased sex selection and violence against women in all forms," a statement released by the WCD ministry said here.
PTI