News Highlight
Uttarakhand’s sex ratio at birth was found to be the worst in the country, and Kerala’s the best.
Key Takeaway
- According to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2020, Uttarakhand’s sex ratio is 844, and Kerala’s is 974.
- The report stated that India’s overall sex ratio had increased by 3 points to 907 in 2018-20 from 904 in 2017-19.
- It was 907 in rural areas and 910 in urban areas.
Sex ratio at birth
- The sex ratio at birth refers to the number of boys born alive per 100 girls born alive.
- The sex ratio is the number of females per 1000 males in the population.
- As per the 2011 Census, there are 943 females per thousand males (943:1000).
Reasons for the decline in the sex ratio in India
- Poverty and illiteracy:
- In India, mostly men are the breadwinners of families. Therefore, the preference for boys over girls in children triggers sex-selective elimination.
- It ultimately leads to a reduced women’s sex ratio.
- Infant and maternal mortality:
- The infant mortality rate is the number of deaths of babies before the age of one. Female foeticide significantly contributes to this.
- Maternal mortality also contributes to this situation. But, again, this is due to improper care during childbirth and limited facilities.
- Patriarchy:
- Generally, due to the patriarchal society of India, women are mostly left out of family decisions and are forced to abide by unfair norms. Hence, sometimes women have no role in choosing the number of children.
- Limited female workforce participation:
- The recent Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) shows that the all-India female labour force participation rate is around 25% of the total workforce, which is lower. This trend leads to the economic dependency of women on their male counterparts. It eventually triggers low decision-making power and low social status.
- Absence of stringent implementation of laws:
- Even though we have a lot of legislation to empower women; generally, these laws are not implemented in true spirit.
- Examples are the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act and the Dowry Prohibition Act etc.
The consequences of the low sex ratio
- Surplus men:
- Surplus men and the low number of women trigger some social consequences: human trafficking, an increase in cases of violence against women, etc.
- Economic consequences:
- The economic consequences are grave, for a considerable proportion of the productive population is missing (effect on the agricultural sector). Also, the lack of women impairs the ability of men to work.
- It will impact marriage patterns:
- Having fewer women of marriageable age will mean that a significant proportion of men will have to delay their marriage.
Government initiatives
- PCPNDT Act:
- The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994, is to stop female foeticides and arrest the declining sex ratio in India.
- Sabla scheme:
- It aims to enable the self-development and empowerment of adolescent girls, improve their health and nutrition status, and spread awareness about health, hygiene, nutrition, reproductive health, and family and child care.
- Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Scheme:
- It aims to prevent gender-biased sex selective elimination, to ensure the girl child’s survival and protection, and to ensure the girl child’s education and participation.
- Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana:
- It is a small deposit scheme for girls’ children launched as a part of the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign.
- The account can be opened any time after the girl’s birth until she turns ten, with a minimum deposit of Rs.250.
Way forward
- Stringent implementation of the laws:
- Strict implementation of the government’s laws that ban foeticide and dowry and severe punishment for those who do not comply.
- Compulsory higher education:
- The government should provide free and compulsory higher education for girls.
- The education system must provide awareness about women’s empowerment and the evils of dowry and female foeticide.
- Job reservation at private:
- The government should make rules that provide a mandatory reservation of private jobs for women. It ensures economic security and, eventually, social recognition for women.
Content Source: Times of India