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Harmful practices, widow abuse and sex selection

A practice does not become safe or voluntary merely because it is customary, religious, family-approved or described as protection.

In this guide

What this can look like

Different practices need precise local guidance; they should not be collapsed into stereotypes about one community.

  • Pressure for sex determination or sex selection before or during pregnancy.
  • Widows excluded from property, food, ceremonies, housing, relationships or ordinary social life.
  • Branding a woman a witch, isolating her, taking property or inciting violence.
  • Ritual, purity or honour rules used to confine, injure, dispossess or silence women and girls.

Why this is harmful

  • Custom can organise collective pressure and make individual refusal dangerous.
  • Stigma often combines gender with caste, age, poverty, disability, widowhood and land disputes.

Use the law that matches the act and location

The PCPNDT Act prohibits sex selection and communication or determination of fetal sex outside its lawful diagnostic framework.

Assault, confinement, threats, dispossession and other acts may be offences under national law; some harmful practices are also addressed by state-specific laws.

There is no single national legal label covering every harmful custom. State law and the exact conduct shape the available route.

Safer next steps

Choose only what fits the situation. Safety, time, money, disability, family control and device monitoring can change what is possible.

  1. Name the conduct, not only the custom

    Identify threats, confinement, injury, property taking, medical pressure or exclusion so the relevant route can be assessed.

  2. Plan for group involvement

    Use a trusted contact outside the network enforcing the practice and avoid a public confrontation that may mobilise several people.

  3. Check state-specific law

    A legal-services authority can identify local legislation and the correct district body.

How to support someone

Respect culture without accepting coercion or harm.

What can help

  • Ask what refusal would cost her and who has influence.
  • Support housing, property, income and community connection alongside legal options.

What to avoid

  • Do not shame an entire community.
  • Do not demand public testimony from a woman who may face retaliation.

Words you can use

“Tradition does not remove your right to safety and choice.”
“What support would make refusal safer?”

What families and institutions must do

Community organisations

Community and faith organisations

  • Reject coercion publicly and protect dissenters.
  • Do not mediate violence as a reputation dispute.

Health services

Health services

  • Follow PCPNDT registration, consent and non-disclosure duties.
  • Screen privately for reproductive coercion and explain lawful care.

Get help and practical support

Call 112

For immediate danger, urgent police, fire or medical coordination.

Pan-India emergency service

A call or app request may share your number, voice and location with responders.

Open service

Call Women Helpline 181

For information, support and referral concerning violence against women.

The official FAQ currently lists every State and Union Territory except West Bengal; response can vary locally.

Ask what will be recorded or shared before giving details when it is safe to do so.

Open service

Call legal-aid helpline 15100

Women and children are listed among people eligible for free legal services.

Eligibility does not guarantee a particular lawyer, remedy or result.

Open service

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Sources and publication record

Publication review
Reviewed and approved by the project team
Sources checked
Jurisdiction
India
Review record
Reviewed and approved by the project team. Official statutes and service sources are listed with the relevant content.
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