The removal of this practice in Indian society is a serious challenge. It must involve
- A move away from religious teachings and the advocacy of a scientific, rational and humanist approach.
- The empowerment of women and a strengthening of women’s rights through campaigning against practices such as dowry and ensuring strict implementation of existing legislation.
- Ensuring the development of and access to good health care services.
- Inculcating a strong ethical code of conduct among medical professionals, beginning with their training as undergraduates.
- Simple methods of complaint registration, accessible to the poorest and most vulnerable women.
- Wide publicization in the media of the scale and seriousness of the practice. NGOs should take a key role in educating the public on this matter.
- Regular assessment of indicators of status of women in society, such as sex ratio and female mortality, literacy and economic participation.
