Gender Bias and Sex Ratio in India
Despite decades of progress in education and economic growth, India continues to experience a significant preference for male children, impacting decisions before birth and leading to skewed sex ratios. Recent sex ratio data provides a stark reminder of this issue.
Current Statistics and Trends
- The sex ratio at birth in Delhi fell to 920 girls per 1,000 boys in 2024, compared to 929 in 2022.
- Nationally, the sex ratio at birth has shown some improvement, rising to 933 females per 1,000 males in 2022-23.
- Haryana's sex ratio at birth has decreased from 923 girls per 1,000 boys in 2019 to 910 in 2024.
Contributing Factors
- Persistent gender bias despite legal prohibitions against prenatal sex determination.
- Infant mortality and diseases like septicemia and congenital heart ailments, often exacerbated by neglect.
Case Study: Bihar Midwives
- Amitabh Parashar's podcast, The Midwife’s Confession, documents three decades of cases where Bihar midwives have admitted to killing newborn girls upon the request of male family members.
Implications and Call to Action
The situations in Delhi and Haryana, despite being focal points for policy attention, reveal the enduring cultural norms that devalue females. This issue highlights the need for the state to exhibit greater intent and allocate more resources to combat gender discrimination and its consequences.
