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Sex Ratio In India: More Women Than Men For The First Time Ever

By Anukriti Roy
First publised on 2021-11-29 09:41:22

About the Author

Sunil Garodia Anukriti is a student who dabbles in writing when she finds time.

The news that for the first time ever, India's overall sex ratio has improved to 1020 females per 1000 males is extremely heartening. It is also heartening to note that the fifth National Family Health Survey (NFHS) has found that the sex ratio is better in rural areas compared to urban areas. But there are several things, like sex ratio at birth which is still lower than what is naturally expected and the fact that several states are performing below par in this regard, those are a matter of concern and need to be addressed.

Analysis shows that 13 states and union territories still have more males than females. In a rural versus urban analysis, the sex ratio was found skewed in favour of males in rural areas of 14 states, while 22 states had a sex ratio favouring males in urban areas. The union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu had the worst urban sex ratio: 775 women per 1,000 men while Delhi had the worst rural sex ratio (859) among all states. There was also a decline in sex ratio compared to 2015-16 in six states.

The adverse sex ratio at birth points to the fact that despite the banning of sex determination tests of the foetus, such tests are being carried out surreptitiously and the pregnancies are being terminated if a girl child is detected in the womb. Experts have pointed out that the sex ratio is better in backward states precisely because facilities for sex determination are not easily available. This is one area where more work needs to be done. However, experts have also pointed out that the adverse sex ratio at birth does not necessarily mean that the overall sex ratio will also decline going forward as they say that it may be due to migration streams.

But since India now has more females per 1000 males, it needs to ensure that this happy situation continues. A crackdown on underground centres which facilitate sex determination tests and a check on abortion clinics in urban centres, especially in states that have reported lower females, needs to be undertaken. Although the girl child is now increasingly getting her due, it is necessary to further strengthen this trend by ensuring that no pregnancy is terminated just because a girl is expected to be born. 

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