Citation

Singh K, Kapur D. Health Hum. Rights 2001; 5(2): 8-29.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Harvard School of Public Health, François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights)

DOI

10.2307/4065363

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Despite the government's ratification of numerous international treaties that prevent discrimination against the girl child, the 2001 Indian Census figures show a sharp decline in the child sex ratio in many regions in India. The substantive and procedural laws remain antiquated, with very few changes being made. Child marriage, though prohibited by law, continues to exist and is merely unreported. Child prostitution is also prohibited, but traffickers and brothel-keepers generally manage to escape the law. There are no proper laws to deal specifically with child sexual abuse--the existing provisions relating to sexual assault and rape are all that are available. This article analyzes the laws, their implementation and effects in these three areas of violence which impact on the girl child in India.