This article addresses discrimination
against the girl child as an unintended
consequence of reproductive laws and
family planning programs in China and
India. The introduction of family planning
programs, coupled with the socio-cultural
preference for sons in these countries,
prompted widespread killing of female
fetuses and infants. The family planning
programs also produced depleting sex
ratios, 'missing women', unregistered
births, neglect and abuse of girls, female
sterilization, and abandonment of baby
girls. Although laws have been enacted to