DOWN WITH LOW CHILD SEX RATIO- CHALLENGES AHEAD

- Dr.Gulrukh Hashmi

Overview

Definition Sex ratio in world Sex ratio trends in India Causes Consequences Prevention PNDT act National policy recommendation Communication strategy development Summary

Child sex ratio i.e the sex ratio in age group 0 to 6 years is defined as number of females per 1000 males.

What is child sex ratio?

Trends in Child Sex Ratio

State/UTs Child Sex Ratio(0-6 yrs)2001

Child Sex Ratio(0-6 yrs)2011

Change in CSR (0-6 yrs) 2001 to

2011

India 927 914 -13

Haryana 819 830 +11

Punjab 798 846 +48

J & K 941 859 -82

Delhi 868 866 -2

Rajasthan 909 883 -26

Maharashtra 913 883 -30

Uttarakhand 908 886 -22

Gujarat 883 886 +3

Uttar Pradesh 916 899 -17

Trends in child sex ratio

State/Uts Child Sex Ratio(0-6 yrs)2001

Child Sex Ratio(0-6 yrs)2011

Change in CSR (0-6 yrs) 2001

to 2011

Mizoram 964 971 +7

Meghalaya 973 970 -3

A&N 964 966 +2

Puducherry 967 965 -2

Chattisgarh 975 964 -11

Arunachal Pradesh

961 960 -1

Kerala 960 959 -1

Assam 965 957 -8

Tripura 966 953 -13

Causes for declining sex ratio Biological

• Differing masses of the X- and Y- Chromosomes.

• Y Chromosome carried by sperm is lighter .

• “Male" sperm will reach and fertilize the egg slightly more

often

Social

Son preference

Girl child aversion

Causes for low child sex ratio

Percentage of women who wants more sons

Reasons for son preference

1. Continuation of family name

2. Desire to keep the wealth with in the family, through

sons

3. Help on farms and in family business.

4. Attracting dowry

5. To take care in the old age

6. To carry out the rituals

Reasons for declining trends

Impact of family planning operation

Economic considerations

1. Menace of dowry

2. To find suitable grooms

3. Discrimination against women in socio economic activities

Reasons for declining trends

WORK PARTICIPATION OF CHILDREN

Impact of worsening ratio

According to the most recent estimates, China and India account for nearly 80 per cent of all ‘missing women’ in the world.”

Impact of worsening ratio

Societal effects

It is estimated that by 2020 there could be more

than 25 million young 'surplus males' in India

The loss of the 'natural balance' will result in a

skewed society.

Impact of worsening ratio

Ethical Concerns

Sexual violence

Trafficking

Abuse

Psychological implications

Problems may arise if the gender-related expectations of

the parents are not subsequently fulfilled

Prevention Family level:

Equal emphasis on health and education

Community level:

A determined drive to aware the general public about the

importance of bringing up the girl child and giving her equal

status

National level:

Stringent measures to curb selective abortions and dowry

deaths and the practice of taking dowry .

PNDT Act 1996

The Act provides

prohibition of sex selection, before or after conception,

regulation of pre-natal diagnostic techniques for the purposes

of detecting genetic abnormalities or metabolic disorders or

sex-linked disorders

prevention of their misuse for sex determination leading to

female foeticide

matters connected therewith or incidental thereto

Key considerations:

Gender equality

Intersectoral planning and co ordination

Safeguarding reproductive rights and right to safe abortions

Looking beyond PNDT Act

Encouraging NGOs to counsel women

Targeting not only low income but also middle and high

income families

Development of communication strategy

Identify the target audience

Focus on youth

Give messages that challenge the attitude as well as legal

messages

Active involvement of media

Grassroot campaigning

Sensitisation of frontline health workers and prominent public

officials

Summary

7 million fewer girls were born among children of 0-6yrs of age.

Child neglect coupled with selective abortions are largely

responsible for this skewed ratio

Sex ratio is particularly low among couples whose first born is a

daughter

Serious negative effects on women’s health, fertility choices and

future well being of girls.

Consideration of interplay of social, economic issues.

It will not be enough to counter son-preference.

Aversion to daughters has to be squarely

confronted through policy measures that

increase the economic worth and support of

daughters through improved employment

opportunities and recognizing that women’s

health and education is tied to more than the

mothering roles.

Challenge

References

Children in india 2012- a statistical appraisal. Social Statistics Division.Central Statistics Office.Ministry of statistics and Programme Implementation.Government of India.

Janaki Ramaiah, T. Chandrasekarayya. Declining child sex ratio in India : Trends, Issues and Concerns. Asia pacific Journal of Social Sciences,Vol.3(1), Jan-June 2011,183-198.

R. S. Bora .Imbalance in Child Sex Ratio: Trends, Causes and Emerging Issues .

Cheryl S. Rosenfeld, R. Michael Roberts. Maternal Diet and Other Factors Affecting Offspring Sex Ratio: A Review. BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION 71, 1063–1070 (2004)

References

Declining Child Sex Ratio (0-6 Years) in India. A Review of Literature and Annotated Bibliography Developed by Centre for Development Studies United Nations Population Fund, India.

Binita Desai, Priti Solanki. What we predict for the sex ratio in India for the next census 2021? h e a l t h l i n e ISSN 2229-337X Volume 3 Issue 1 January-June 2012.Page 69.

Jason Taylor. The Daughter Deficit Exploring Declining Sex Ratios in India available on www.idrc.ca/women’s right

THANK YOU

DOWN WITH DISCRIMINATION

DOWN WITH LOW CHILD SEX RATIO

SAY “NO” to FEMALE EXTERMINATION