DCW launches 'Laadli' to create awareness against falling sex ratio

New Delhi, Mar 5 (UNI) Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Kiran Walia today said about half-a-million unborn girl children are killed every year on account of pre-natal sex determination tests.

Speaking on the occasion to mark the launch of 'Laadli' -- the DCW's campaign against female foeticide -- at the annual International Women's Day celebrations, Ms Walia said the startling figure of over five lakh girl children being killed before they were born, came out during an Indo-Canadian study.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA), which gives the figure of female foetuses aborted in the country to a whopping five million, calls for urgent and steps to restore the sex ratio balance, she said.

Unveiling 'Laadli' with the theme 'Celebrating the Birth of a Girl Child' at the India Gate here, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the practice of aborting female foetuses was not only a blot on civilised society but also a crime.

'Laadli' launched by the DCW in collaboration with NGO Population First would work towards building public opinion and promoting community participation to address the issue of falling sex ratio, she said.

Pop singers Usha Uthup and Shibani Kashyap also enthralled the gathering with their performance.

UNI AN CH DB2045