Sex ratio at birth normalises slightly: study

The most recent Pew Research Center survey noted a small normalisation of the sex ratio at birth.

As per the Pew report, the sex ratio at birth fell from 111 boys per 100 girls in 2011 to 108 boys in 2019-21.
The study uses data from five rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), updated until 2019-21 and India’s decadal census data until 2011.
Although the sex ratio at birth is defined in India in terms of the number of male births per 1,000 female births, the survey uses the international system, under which the ratio is expressed in terms of the number of males born for every 100 females.
The report shows that the sex ratio at birth has seen the most improvement in the northern states of India but has deteriorated in the southern states and the east.

The sex ratio is defined as the number of females per 1000 males in the population.
As per the 2011 Census, there are 943 females per thousand males (943:1000).

In India, mostly men are the breadwinners of families. Therefore, the preference of 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.

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.

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.

Stringent implementation of the laws:
Stringent 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.

Pic Courtesy: The Indian Express

Content Source: The Hindu