Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Knowledge on Female Foeticide Among Rural Women: A Study

Female foeticide, the gender-selective abortion of female foetuses following illegal sex determination, remains one of India’s most pressing social and ethical challenges. Despite legal frameworks such as the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act (PCPNDT), 1994, and numerous government-led Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) initiatives, gender bias continues to influence reproductive decisions. This study investigates rural women’s IEC knowledge on female foeticide in Mandya District, Karnataka. A structured questionnaire was administered to 385 respondents to evaluate awareness levels, information sources, and attitudes toward gender preference. Findings reveal that only 17.6% were aware of the term “female foeticide,” while 67% lacked any knowledge of it. Neighbours (44.9%) were identified as the most common source of information, while health professionals accounted for only 4.1%. The study underscores significant gaps in IEC dissemination and highlights the need for localized, culturally sensitive, and participatory communication strategies to address gender discrimination at the grassroots level.

Female foeticide, rural women, IEC awareness, PCPNDT Act, gender discrimination, health communication, reproductive justice

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