Based on recent arguments made by C Rangarajan, former Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, there is an immediate requirement to educate young people on reproductive health and gender equity. His basis for this argument lies in substantial data produced in the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report of 2018 and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) State of World Population 2020.
About the SRS Report and UNFPA
The SRS Report is considered one of the largest demographic surveys within the country, providing direct estimates of key indicators such as sex ratio and fertility rate through a nationally representative sample. On the other hand, the UNFPA is an international organization based in New York, focusing on enhancing reproductive and maternal health across the globe.
Declining Sex Ratio at Birth
A healthy sex ratio at birth normally sees 1,050 males to 1,000 females or 950 females for every 1,000 males. However, concerning trends have been observed with the sex ratio at birth in India, it fell from 906 in 2011 to 899 in 2018 as per the SRS Report 2018. Further, the UNFPA State of World Population 2020 reported a lower ratio of 910, which results in a significant imbalance between the genders, affecting marriage systems and causing detriment to women.
Trends in Total Fertility Rate (TFR)
The SRS Report 2018 also shed light on a decreasing TFR in India. From 2011 to 2018, this rate declined from 2.4 to 2.2, and the number of states with fertility rates below the replacement rate increased from ten to fourteen between 2011 and 2020. Even though some might believe that achieving a replacement TFR of 2.1 will stabilize or even reduce the population, this is unlikely due to the ‘population momentum’ effect caused by a large number of people entering the reproductive age group.
Hurdles in Sex Ratio Improvement: Regressive Mindset and Technology Misuse
A significant son preference is palpable in all Indian states, barring Kerala and Chhattisgarh, with roots embedded in regressive thinking, such as associating girls with dowry. Additionally, advancements in technology have been misused for sex-selection, with cheaper ultrasound devices readily available in the market.
Ineffective Law Implementation and Illiteracy
Another challenge lies in the ineffective execution of laws like the Prenatal Conception and Prenatal Determination Act (PC-PNDT), 1994, which penalizes healthcare professionals who reveal the sex of an unborn child. Poor training of law enforcers has resulted in lax implementation, and illiteracy among women in their reproductive years contributes to a higher fertility rate compared to literate women.
Government Initiatives and Suggestions for Improvement
To counter the declining sex ratio, the Indian government launched the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ Scheme in 2015, aiming to empower girls and women. This program is run by three ministries – Women and Child Development, Health & Family Welfare, and Human Resource Development (now Ministry of Education). Besides governmental interventions, efforts should be made to raise female education levels, launch sensitization campaigns about women and children’s rights, and ensure women’s safety on public transport systems and from cyber-crimes.
The Path Ahead
Despite the implementation of several policies and programs, women and girl children in India continue to experience lower health outcomes. Discrimination, particularly son preference, perpetuated by techno-economic forces, continues to endanger the girl child. To truly empower women and ensure the survival of the girl child, effective implementation of existing policies, including those related to women’s property ownership, is crucial. Reaching out to young people could help to counterbalance the effect of population momentum and move towards a healthier sex ratio at birth.
