HYDERABAD: Voicing concern over growing incidents of female foeticide, President Pratibha Patil called for concerted efforts to increase public awareness about the issue and improve educational opportunities in rural areas.

"It is highly deplorable that female foeticide is prevalent even in cities and among affluent families. It is time we fight against this social evil," she said after inaugurating the international Arya Maha Sammelan.

Terming female foeticide as a crime against humanity, the President said gender discrimination and denial of access to education to girl child were the main reasons for the menace to thrive in the country.

She called upon NGOs and women's organisations to work towards spreading awareness about the pernicious practice which could lead to a serious imbalance in sex ratio with dangerous consequences for women's security.

Pointing out that women were being subjected to discrimination at work places and at homes, Patil said increasing educational opportunities for girls, particularly in rural areas, was the effective way to tackle the social problem.

Patil advocated free education for girls and inclusion of subjects like dowry, child marriage, sexual discrimination, drug addiction in the school curriculum. The President also called for active involvement of public in eradicating the dowry system as laws alone were not enough in dealing with the menace.

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