Antifoeticide campaign to rope in stars, religious gurus, youth

New Delhi, Mar 5 (UNI) A massive national level awareness and sensitisation programme is being launched on a sustained basis to check female foeticide by roping in the entertainment industry, spiritual leaders and youth in a big way.

The programme being launched by the women and Child Development Ministry plans to also include NGOs, the media, and medical fraternity involved in a big way as agents of social change in the campaign.

As part of the plans, the ministry will institute awards for district magistrates for their outstanding work to improve the male and female sex ratio in their districts.

Presiding over a workshop on the issue of female foeticide organised as part of the weeklong celebrations of International Women Day, Minister for Women and Child Development Renuka Chawdhury said media could play a significant role in creating awareness against this evil, which was an extreme manifestation of violence against women, and project women issues in a positive manner.

She said media should develop its own ethics to show positive aspects of women's empowerment and achievements of women in various fields. Participating in the workshop were representatives of media, advertising sector and spiritual leaders who asserted that all stakeholders should join together to sensitise masses about the role of the women and girl child in society.

The government's efforts would not suffice until people come forward to take the initiative in this regard, they said.

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