- Haryana Govt introduced Saheli initiative combating Female Foeticide
- Sex ratio at Birth in Haryana dropped to 910 Females per 1,000 males
The Haryana government has introduced the 'Saheli' initiative, assigning a caregiver to each pregnant woman. The initiative also aims to combat female foeticide by enforcing the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PC&PNDT).
The caregiver (Saheli), either an Anganwadi Worker (AAW) from the Accredited Social Women and Child Development Department or an Accredited Health Activist (ASHA) from the National Health Mission (NHM), will provide continuous care and emotional support from the first trimester until childbirth.
During a joint meeting, the Secretary of Health to the Government of Haryana directed NHM to share data on pregnant women, assigning an AWW and an ASHA to each eligible woman, who will serve as their 'Saheli' for maternal care and emotional support.
Haryana's government has instructed NHM and WCD to assign 'Saheli' to every pregnant woman, aiming to promote women's well-being, encourage safe deliveries, and eliminate gender-based discrimination in prenatal care. A State Task Force is being formed to monitor implementation.
According to a survey, the sex ratio at birth in Haryana dropped to 910 females per 1,000 males in 2024, compared to 916 in 2023. The state has intensified its crackdown on illegal practices, canceling the licenses of 300 Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) centers.
Virender Yadav, Director of National Health Mission in Haryana, said, "We have been strictly implementing the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act in the state. As a result, registrations of 300 erring Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) centers have been cancelled or voluntarily withdrawn."
