In the seemingly paradoxical scenario of some of India’s most prosperous regions displaying adverse sex ratios for women, several interwoven factors contribute to this complex phenomenon. Economic prosperity often correlates with advancements in technology and healthcare, leading to increased access to prenatal sex determination techniques and subsequent selective abortion of female fetuses. Furthermore, entrenched patriarchal norms and dowry practices persist even in affluent communities, perpetuating a preference for male offspring. Additionally, migration patterns fueled by economic opportunities in prosperous regions can exacerbate gender imbalances as families may favor relocating with sons, leaving behind daughters in their places of origin. The intersection of these socioeconomic, cultural, and demographic dynamics underscores the multifaceted nature of the issue, demanding comprehensive policy interventions addressing both structural inequalities and societal attitudes toward gender.
Tag: Population and associated issues.
Decoding the Question:
- In the Introduction, define ‘sex ratio’ and present some data by Census 2011 for sex ratio.
- In Body, give reasons for dwindling sex ratio of women in Prosperous regions like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, etc.
- Conclude by suggesting measures to address the issue of adverse sex ratio.
Answer:
The sex ratio is defined as the number of females per 1000 males. It is a valuable source for finding the population of women in India and the ratio of women to men in India. According to the NITI Aayog’s SDG 2019 Index, the sex ratio in Punjab fell from 893 to 886 in 2019, and the state lagged behind the national average sex ratio indicator as India’s sex ratio average is 896. Haryana, Punjab’s other neighbor, has performed worse than Punjab, having a sex ratio of 833. These are states with high per capita incomes still performing badly in the Sex ratio.
Reasons that Most Prosperous Regions of India have an Adverse Sex Ratio for Women:
- New Technology: In the mid-1960s, new technology that allowed for prenatal gender determination, and thus sex-selective abortion, such as the ultrasound, was brought into India. The liberalization of the Indian economy in the 1990s made ultrasound technology more easily available, and the initial introduction of ultrasound led to sex selection.
- Gender Discrimination: Gender discrimination, attributed to the persistence of patriarchal systems in India, is sometimes indirectly evaluated by high fertility, the prevalence of joint families, and various indicators of female disadvantage.
- Gender Imbalance: Despite significant economic and scientific growth over the past few decades, female infanticide and feticide remain major issues in India. According to the United Nations Population Fund, Reasons for female infanticide include anti-female bias, as women are often seen as subservient to men, who often employ positions of power.
- Declining fertility rates were linked to worsening sex ratio in India: Fertility rate is defined as the number of children women have on average during their childbearing years. Because people are having fewer children, fertility rates are declining, and their preference remains a boy. The smaller the family size, the less likely a family is to have a son by chance. Thus, declining fertility is one force that is driving up the rate of sex-selective abortions.
- Dowry System: Dowry is the one of the important reasons for low sex ratio. The prevalent trend of taking and giving of dowry which takes place mostly in educated and upper-class homes are observed across the country.
In recent years some positive developments are there like from these very states women are bringing medals to India. The government has taken lead with Beti Bachao and Beti Padao and the situation and mindset on the ground are improving. The falling Sex ratio needs to be addressed starting from strengthening the implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act which takes all technologies of sex determination. Given the urgency and magnitude of the problem, there is an urgent need to convene a Parliamentary Forum on Declining Child Sex Ratio which should include Members of Parliaments from gender critical districts.
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