Context: Ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Save the girl child programme on January 22, 2015 at Panipat, it is for the first time that Haryana’s battle against gender disparity has faced a major setback as the state recorded 910 female births per 1,000 males in 2024—a six-point drop from 916 in 2023.

About this Alarming drop

• After peaking at 923 in 2019, the sex ratio at birth in Haryana dropped to 910 in 2024, an eight-year low. 

• Of the 516,402 children born in Haryana in 2024, 52.35% were boys, while 47.64% were girls. 

• The Sex ratio at birth is defined as the number of female births per 1000 male births.

• The sex ratio is the measure of the number of females per 1,000 males in a given population. 

Reasons for Increase in Past

• Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act, 1994: The gains made between 2014 and 2019 came due to the strict enforcement of the PNDT Act coupled with an intense awareness campaign. 

• Reason for Decrease: More needs to be done to change attitudes, and in recent years, enforcement of laws aimed towards curbing female foeticide has loosened.

• The concept of ‘only boy’ was not a popular phenomenon until now, but a section of the families have started opting for it due to the decreasing land holdings.

Sex Ratio in India

• Census 2011

• The sex ratio at all India levels was 943 and the same for rural and urban areas are 949 and 929 respectively.  

• The sex ratio for the 0-19 age group was 908 while that of the 60+ age group was 1033. 

• The sex ratio in the economically active age group (15-59 years) was 944.  

• The sex ratio was highest in Kerala (1084) followed by Puducherry (1037) and lowest in Daman & Diu (618) followed by Dadar & Nagar Haveli (774) and then Chandigarh (818). 

National Family Health Survey 2021:

• According to the NFHS-5, the overall sex ratio at birth in India was 929.

• The sex ratio of the population for the country was estimated as 1020.

Why Historically there has been an Imbalance in the Sex Ratio in India?

• Cultural Preference for Sons: Sons were preferred for carrying on the family name, performing religious rites, and providing financial support in old age.

• This led to a neglect of daughters, who were seen as a financial burden due to dowry practices.

• Gender Discrimination: Girls have historically faced neglect in terms of nutrition, education, and healthcare, which contributed to higher mortality rates among females.

• Female Infanticide: In some regions, female infants were either abandoned or killed due to their perceived lower value.

• Sex-Selective Abortion: Advances in medical technology, such as ultrasound, enabled the practice of sex-selective abortion, leading to a disproportionate number of male births.

• Economic Factors: In agrarian societies, the labor of sons was seen as more valuable for agricultural work, further reinforcing the preference for male children.

Government Initiatives to Improve Sex Ratio

• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): Launched in 2015, this campaign aims to address gender-based discrimination, promote the value of the girl child, and improve access to education for girls.

• It also focuses on raising awareness about the importance of girls’ welfare and preventing female foeticide.

• Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994: This law prohibits sex determination and sex-selective abortion.

• It aims to curb the misuse of prenatal diagnostic technologies for gender-based sex selection.

• Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: This is a savings scheme for the girl child, which encourages families to save for the future education and marriage of their daughters. It promotes a positive perception of girls.

• Maternity Benefits: The government has introduced maternity benefits through schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), which provides financial assistance to pregnant women and lactating mothers, aiming to reduce the economic burden on families and support maternal and child health.

• The National Health Mission (NHM): This program focuses on improving healthcare services for women, including maternal health, to reduce the mortality rate among women and girls.

• Awareness Campaigns and Legal Reforms: The government conducts awareness campaigns to sensitize people about the importance of gender equality.

Road Ahead

• Community Awareness and Education: Campaigns like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao should continue to raise awareness about the value of the girl child and the harmful effects of gender discrimination.

• Improving Women’s Health and Access to Healthcare: Providing better healthcare access for women and girls, especially in rural areas, can help reduce female mortality rates.

• Changing Social Norms and Attitudes: Promoting gender-sensitive education, involving men in gender equality discussions, and tackling the dowry system can help break the traditional biases against girls.

• Robust Data Collection and Research: Continuous monitoring and research into the reasons behind sex ratio imbalances can help tailor future interventions and track the success of existing initiatives.