An action group was formed to help improve implementation of the PNDT Act in Delhi following a multi-sectoral meeting organized by the Gender Community …

The declining sex ratio is a serious issue in Delhi, with the affluent South District having a ratio of just 686 females to every 1,000 males. This is due to a high incidence of sex selective abortions, and ease of accessing sex determination tests.

The Gender Community took up the issue of changing mindsets about girl children and conducted a Round Table Meeting in June 2006 in Delhi chaired by the Delhi Commission of Women (DCW), attended by staff from UNFPA and UNIFEM, doctors, Supreme Court and Delhi High Court lawyers, representatives from NGOs, and officials from the Delhi Government.

As a result, awareness about the issue was increased and an action group was set up comprising the Chairperson, DCW members, doctors from the Health Department, Delhi Government officials, Supreme Court and Delhi High Court lawyers, representatives from NGOs, staff from UNIFEM and UNFPA, and members of the Gender Community.

DCW took the lead, provided administrative support, conducting meetings and ensuring the formation of the Monitoring Cell. It finalized the recommendations from the Round Table Meeting with the help of various gender specialists, with inputs from the action group and members of the Gender Community. The recommendations on how the implementation of the PNDT Act could be improved were given to the Chief Minister of Delhi and a Monitoring Cell formed by DCW to oversee its implementation.