In 2050, India’s population is projected to be 1.69 billion, which will be higher than that of China. The population of China is estimated to be 1.31 billion in the same year. But there is hope. According to Sample Registration System data, the country’s total fertility rate—roughly, the average number of children born to a woman—has fallen to an estimated 2.2. This figure is only marginally higher than 2.1, the replacement rate of the existing population. However, the widening gender gap in India poses a big problem.

Body:

Declining Sex Ratio in India:

• India has about 930 females per 1,000 males. This sex ratio is alarming, but the skew looks even worse if you look at new births.
• According to government figures, the country’s sex ratio at birth declined from 900 females per 1,000 males in 2013-15 to 896 in 2015-17.
• This is a phenomenon that is likely to impact India hard in the decades ahead.
• A report from the NITI Aayog (2018) highlighted that sex ratio at birth (SRB) nationwide had dropped from 906 in 2012-2014 to 900 in 2013-2015.
• In all, 17 of 21 large Indian States saw a drop in the SRB, with Gujarat performing the worst, declining 53 points.
• Also, newer data from India’s Sample Registration System show the SRB fell even further in 2014-2016, from 900 to 898.

Implications of lowering sex ratio:

• Low Sex ratio at birth has led to large numbers of “surplus men” in countries like India and China.
• Skewed sex ratio lead to 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.
• Skewed sex ratio reduces the ability to women to influence policy making and act as a pressure group.
• Skewed sex ratio is leading to the practice of bride purchase. This is leading to objectification of women.

Measures needed:

• The welfare schemes must be aimed at not only bringing the structural reforms rather attitudinal changes. For example: the 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. This empowers the few and inspires the millions.
• Involving multiple stakeholders like the civil society and the NGO’s in the policy cycle so that the effectiveness of the implementation can be ensured with due participation go the people. For example: the 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 co-ordinated 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.