Heartbreaking

The news of baby Afreen's death, who was battling for life after being allegedly battered by her father, is heartbreaking. Female foeticide and infanticide continue to take place with alarming frequency across the country. We need to bring the horrific treatment of girl babies to an end. It is time the medical community — doctors, government hospitals, private clinics — and social organisations spread the message that the sex of a baby is determined by the chromosome transmitted by the father. This will, to some extent, lessen the frustration at a girl child's birth.

Komala Choudhury,

Bangalore