Skewed Sex Ratios in India- An Aftermath of Sex-Selective Abortion
Neucrad Health India, June 23, 2019
Do you know that many eligible bachelors in some northern states of India find it challenging finding a suitable bride for them? Many Jat grooms in Haryana need to travel hundreds of kilometres as there is a severe dearth of marriageable women in their locality. It is not that girls in these areas have vanished overnight. Decades of illegal prenatal sex determination and female foeticide have taken a heavy toll on the gender ratios. In many states like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and Gujrat, this indiscriminate genocide has led to skewed sex ratios. There are multiple evidence pointing that in the next few decades, India can face altered demography if this unethical practice of sex-selective abortions does not come to an end.
What is the current Sex Ratio in India?
According to the latest report of the United Nations (UN), the 2019 sex ratio in India 107.48 males per 100 females. It suggests that for every 1000 male children born in India, there are only 930 females. Among the 29 states, Kerala demonstrates the highest sex ratio of 1084 females to 1000 males, while Haryana features a bleak 879 females per 1000 males. If we compare this figure in absolute terms, our country has 48.20 per cent females compared to 51.80 per cent males. Currently, India is at 191th position out of 201 nations in terms of skewed sex ratios. The situation is neither very bright in our neighbouring countries. Nepal, Pakistan, Vietnam, and China also exhibit similar figures.
What is the reason behind the abnormal sex ratio in India?
There are many cultural and social reasons which had given rise to the abnormal sex ratios and female foeticide in India. Detailed below are some of them.
Cultural Preference
In many communities, parents prefer a male child since they believe only a son can carry forward the family lineage. This social discrimination is deep-rooted in India, mainly because of the prevalence of male-dominated society. Many parents feel, a son is physically stronger than his daughter, and he would be able to share the manual labour when he grows up. This culture is mostly seen among the peasant class who earn their daily means through physical labour in crop fields and other sectors. These social beliefs and customs make expecting parents resort to illegal sex determination of foetus. In many cases, if they find a girl child in the womb, they prefer to abort the pregnancy due to cultural preferences.
Dowry System in India
In some communities, there is an age-old practice of dowry, where parents of the bride must offer a considerable sum of money to the groom’s family as a pre-wedding gift. Though, this tradition was mentioned as gifts in historical scripts; in actual practise, many families coax the bride’s father to provide the money as the society consider women to be financially less productive than men. Some communities believe, raising a son is a better choice financially as they would bring a large sum of money as dowry during the marriage. This illogical tradition is prevalent in many states of India and led to sex-selective abortions.
Weak Social Security System
In many cases, people do not plan effectively for their future, leading to meagre savings to take care of them in old age. This weak post-retirement plan makes them financially dependent on their children during the last stages of their life. Indians believe that, since daughters go to a different family, it would be challenging for them to take care of their parents. They feel that sons are more likely to take care of parents at old age.
What are the steps taken by the Government preventing female foeticide?
In 1994, the Indian Government passed the Preconception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PCPNDT). It makes sex-determination of a foetus a punishable offence. This Act was amended in 2003, whereby no medical professionals can use ultrasonography to convey the sex of the baby. However, in many rural areas, people flout these rules and regulations. There are rampant sex determinations behind closed doors.
Finally, we can say that, though the Haryana grooms can reach till Kerala finding a suitable bride, there can be a long-term demographic crisis. It can lead to trafficking, child marriages, and sexual violence on women. So, it is better to take control of the situation until it is in our hand.
