Chouhan declares war against female foeticide

Bhopal, June 23 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said the state government would consider cash awards to those providing tip-offs on cases of female foeticide besides raising a special women battalion to deal with the crime1 ''A male-dominated approach must be done away with to check crime against women. Female participation and generating awareness among them are imperative to address gender discrimination,'' he said while addressing a two-day symposium on 'Women Empowerment, Health and Speedy Justice' organised here by the Home Department in association with the Health and Family Welfare Department, according to an official release.

Besides legal mechanisms, the role of dedicated women organisations was vital. They would have to chalk out special strategies to generate greater awareness. Women's participation was crucial for discouraging ''the tendency of vulgar commercial exploitation of the fairer sex,'' the Chief Minister said.

''There are enough laws to check crime against women and enough programmes dedicated to female empowerment. The need is to ensure effective implementation and monitoring,'' Health Minister Ajay Vishnoi said.

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