Arvind Kejriwal launches Girl Child Week

Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday launched a week-long programme to celebrate the girl child and to create awareness about gender equality.

Organised by NGO Alliance Defending Freedom India, the event will go on till National Girl Child Day celebrated on January 24.

"Girls are an integral pillar of society. No nation can hope to progress and aspire for a future of prosperity, joy and fulfilment by discrimination against the women in society," he said at the launch of the event at his residence.

"...in spite of this, today we are killing our unborn girls in their mothers' wombs. The law restricts sex determination during the pregnancy of a woman and we are committed to protecting the life of the unborn girl child in the state."

"We reiterate our commitment to ensure strict implementation of the PCPNDT Act by ensuring regular inspections and decoy operations to catch the violators and also warn the unscrupulous doctors and clinics," he said.

The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994 -- which bans prenatal sex determination -- was enacted to stop female foeticide and arrest the declining sex ratio in the country.

The Chief Minister urged the people of Delhi to stand up for the rights of the unborn girl child and provide information regarding those who commit such illegal acts.

Under the week-long campaign, awareness programmes will be held regarding the importance of girl child in the society.

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