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RAJOURI, SEPTEMBER 24: The Department of Social Welfare, on the direction of District Development Commissioner Abhishek Sharma, organized an awareness Programme on the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC & PNDT) Act, here today. The programme aimed at sensitizing stakeholders about the objectives and provisions of the Act which seeks to prohibit pre-natal sex selection and to regulate the use of pre-natal diagnostic techniques strictly for lawful purposes.
The programme witnessed the active participation of Anganwadi Workers, ASHA workers, students from the Nursing College, representatives from the One Stop Centre and the District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW), Supervisors from the ICDS Department, representatives from Laboratories and Ultrasound clinics and the officials of the Social Welfare Department.
The resource persons who addressed the gathering included Chief Prosecution Officer Shahin Khan; Dr. Neelam Sharma from the Health Department; P.D. Sharma and Dr Gayandish from the Veteran Citizens Forum; Mohammad Anwar from the District Legal Services Authority and District Social Welfare Officer.
They deliberated upon the legal framework of the Act, punitive measures for the violation and ethical responsibilities of medical practitioners. The speakers also underlined the community’s responsibility in reporting violations, need to check the declining child sex ratio and the importance of promoting gender equity and safeguarding the rights of the girl child.
Additionally, the participants were apprised about the provisions of the Act, vigilance mechanisms in place and the government initiatives designed to strengthen gender justice.
The programme concluded with an interactive session in which participants expressed their views and committed themselves to carry forward the message at the grassroots level, thereby contributing to the creation of a more gender-just and equitable society.
NO: PR/DDI/J/2958//