Declining Sex Ratio

Declining Sex Ratio in India:

• According to government figures, the country’s sex ratio at birth declined from
  • 900 females per 1,000 males in 2013-15
  • 896 females per 1,000 males in 2015-17

Implications of lowering sex ratio:

• Large numbers of “surplus men” in countries like India and China.
• More violence against men and women, as well as human trafficking.
• In India, some villages in Haryana and Punjab have such poor ratios that men “import” brides from other states. This is often accompanied by the exploitation of these brides.
• Reduces the ability to women to influence policy making and act as a pressure group.
• Practice of bride purchase. This is leading to objectification of women.

Measures needed:

• Needed not only bringing the structural reforms rather attitudinal changes. For example, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao program launched as a movement.
• Promoting the women participation at the higher levels so that the empowerment can penetrate through their efforts. For example the 108 CAA be implemented to provide 33% reservation to the women in the parliament.
• Involving multiple stakeholders like the civil society and the NGO’s in the policy cycle. For example, ASHA, ANM through the civil society awakening the people through them these institutions need to be empowered through the ICDS and adequate resources and training methodologies be made more robust.
• Capacity building program for empowering the women through an inward out process. For example, SHG’s for micro lending linkage.
• Convergence of all departments at the district-level, coupled with strong political will and coordinated efforts by all districts in the State
• Creation of a social media group, moderated by the Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister. This forum enabled healthy competition between different districts and helped them learn from each other’s experiences.
• Universal health Care System which focuses especially on Girl Child and women at large. Special focus on pregnant and lactating women to Ensure better health of both Girl Child and Mother – ICDS, JSY, JSSY, Maternity Leave and allowance.
• Educating the Adolescent Girl Children about Reproductive Rights and Reproductive Health.
• Improvement in the food quality of Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
• Bio-fortification of food grains distributed through PDS which address Hidden Hunger.

Conclusion:

Initiatives like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao in Haryana have shown that concentrated efforts can aid in countering the declining sex ratio. Similar initiatives must be undertaken at high priority regions to counter the declining sex ratio.