Skewed Sex Ratio

Published on 17 Feb 2025

In India, traditionally there is a privilege offered to male over female, which has resulted in a skewed sex ratio in the country. According to the UN Population Fund, India has one of the lowest sex ratios in the world, with only 933 females per 1000 males.

Reason for skewed sex ratio in India

✔     Meta-son preference: Deep-seated cultural and social norms perceive sons as the primary caregivers in old age and as continuers of the family lineage, which creates preference for male children.

●      Example: As per UN reports, India accounts for 45.8 million of the world’s 142.6 million missing women. This is a product of son preference in Indian society.

✔     Female infanticides: Considering female child as a social and economic burden results in unregulated cases of sex-selective abortions.

●      Example: As per NFHS 5, sex ratio at birth for children in the last five years preceding the survey, in India has been 929, indicating the prevalence of female infanticide.

✔     Lack of access to nutritious food: Women are often the last to eat in a household and hence are not given equal access to food, which results in nutrient deficiency.

●      Example: As per NFHS-5, 57% of women under reproductive age (WRA) (15-49) in India are anaemic. Also, more than 75% women in India have Vitamin D deficiency.

✔     Dowry system: Social evils like dowry has made women an economic liability, reducing the resources being served for their better development.

●      Example: A World Bank study indicates the practice of dowry in 95% of Indian marriages. This practice labels women as an economic burden to the family.

✔     Poverty: Poor families cannot afford to feed many children; hence they prefer sex-selective abortion to reduce the number of children.

✔     Lack of awareness: Many couples are still averse to the use of contraceptives, which results in unplanned pregnancies and consequent abortions. These abortions can be selective, reducing the number of girl children.

Impact of skewed sex ratio

✔     Imbalance in demography: Skewed sex ratio creates a gender imbalance, thus affecting the structure and dynamics of communities.

●      Example: As per 2011 census, the sex ratio is lower than 800 in districts like Daman, Leh, Tawang etc., which influences the social demography of these regions in a negative manner.

✔     Distorted marriage system: Gross imbalance in the number of men and women affects traditional marriage systems, which could negatively affect women through forced marriages and early marriages.

✔     Increase in trafficking: Scarcity of women leads to practices like bride trade and trafficking, which violates the basic human rights of women.

●      Example: States with low sex ratio like Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh are popular buyers of brides in India.

✔     Perpetuation of patriarchy: When the numerical strength of women is low, it becomes difficult for them to achieve gender parity, thus offering little scope for wiping out patriarchy.

●      Example: India stands low at 127 out of 146 nations in the Gender Gap Report, 2023. Decreasing number of females might push India further back in the parity index.

✔     Inhibit growth potential: A society with skewed sex ratio offers little economic empowerment for women, which inhibits the overall growth profile of the country.

●      Example: As mentioned in a World Bank speech, women contribute to around 17% of GDP in India. Skewed numbers make their economic contribution even milder, hindering India’s growth.

Way forward

✔     Strict enforcement of existing laws: Legislations like Preconception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques Act need to be rigorously enforced to prohibit gender-based sex selection.

✔     Education and empowerment: Improve the employment potential of females through quality education and skilling, so that they get projected as an economic resource.

✔     Cultural sensitization: Gender sensitivity programs need to be held at school, college and community levels to promote equal treatment to boys and girls.

✔     Women health initiatives: Make healthcare more accessible and affordable to women, especially for girls and pregnant women, to improve their health standards.

India is presently showing better results in gender distribution, but implementation of these policies is crucial for ensuring gender parity, which could bring well-being to every individual, society and the nation.

Tags:
Social Justice

Keywords:
Sex Ratio Women Meta-son preference Female infanticide Dowry Poverty

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 2

Topics:
Social Justice