Declining Child Sex Ratio of Urban Jabalpur: Challenge Before the Civil Society

There is no exaggeration when we say womanhood in India is synonymous with suffering and denial of her rights. The patriarchal norms prevailed in our society have always labeled her as a lesser citizen. In every sphere of our society women have tasted the effects of this discrimination, as evident in different developmental and health indices that are in almost all cases skewed against her. The fate of girl child in India too is not better. She is discriminated against in many ways – fewer months of breast feeding, less of nurturing and play, lesser medical treatment if falls ill, lesser school enrollment etc. Today this discrimination begins even before her birth. Pre-determination of the sex of the foetus and the selective abortion of the girl foetus is very rampant in most parts of India. Now the Pre-natal diagnostic tests have become the most potent weapon that is detrimental to the very existence of the girl child in India.

The National censes 2001 has revealed a shocking picture of the child sex ratio [number of girls for every 1000 boys] in India. The comparison of the census figures for child sex ratio [0-6 years] during 1991 and 2001 bear the testimony of the gravity of situation. While the overall sex ratio [the number of females per 1000 males] has improved over the past decade from 927 to 933 in 2001, child sex-ratio in 2001 has gone down to 927 girls for 1000 boys from 945 for 1000 boys in 1991.

The situation is found to be worse in states like Punjab [793], Haryana [820], Chandigarh [845], Delhi [865], Gujarat [878] and Himachal Pradesh [897].

The reason for unequal access to life of girls in India has roots in economic, religious and cultural dynamics. There are many cultural and socio-economic reasons that can be attributed to this practice. The culturally prescribed power and prestige associated with having male children form the basis of ‘son preference’ of our community. In patriarchal and male-centered kinship structures, a very high value is ascribed to a son, who is seen as a source of social and political power.

Improvements in the medical technology have made it possible to determine the sex of the child even before their birth and selective abortion, if the fetus is found female. Today ultrasound is the commonly available method to determine the sex of the fetus. Thereby, it is the most misused technique for sex determination. The data on ultrasound machines reveals that there is a wider proliferation of the machines even in the rural areas of India, which is really not proportional to the rational use of ultrasound machines. The studies have revealed the sinister nexus between some doctors, sex determination clinics and abortion centers. Now there are even mobile ultrasound diagnostic facilities are available that provide services to rural areas Though few, some of the medical professionals who engage in this activities have a high opinion of the ‘noble work’ they are doing. They see the sex determination tests as the best way for the ‘population control’.

Situation of Jabalpur

The sharp decline in the sex ratio is not a phenomena peculiar to the above mentioned states only. The most parts of the state of Madhaya Pradesh is also shows large number of missing girls. The child sex ratio for the state according to the 2001 census is 931, slightly above the national average. However comparing it with that of the 1991 census shows a drop of 3 points for the rural area and 25 points for the urban area. What is evident is a clear trend in the urban of Madhya Pradesh where a significant number of sex selective abortions of girl children are taking place.

One of the worst affected Urban Madhaya Pradesh is the Jabalpur districts especially the Jabalpur city. The overall child sex ratio of Jabalpur district is 925 girls for every 1000 males. However the Jabalpur city has shown a drop from 947 girls per 1000 boys in 1991 to 892 girls per 1000 boys in 2001 census, a drop of 55 points. No other city in Madhaya Predesh had demonstrated such a sharp decline. Taluka-wise information of Jabalpur district gives a clear picture of the state of affairs.

Taluka	Child Sex Ratio
	Total	Urban	Rural
Niwas	992	0	992
kundam	986	0	986
Sihora	972	988	970
Patan	941	933	942
Jabalpur	902	892	929

It indicates that Jabalpur city is showing evidences for large number of sex selective abortions. The above table also counters the argument that the drop in child sex ratio of Jabalpur district is mainly due to the increased childhood death of girls than boys. If that argument is true, more death of girls would have happened in rural areas than the urban.

What can we do as civil society members?

It is unfortunate that such things are happening in a district like Jabalpur which is known for its better health facilities and high literacy rates [second highest among districts] in the state of Madya Pradesh. Unless addressed early, it is expected to cause serious demographic and social imbalances in the future. There is no doubt that the practice female feticide if continued will shackle the very social fabric of our society. Signs emerging from certain parts of Hariyana and Punjab which has been showing decline in child sex ratio for the last two decades should be lesson before us. Experts and media have pointed out increasing incidence of violence against women including human trafficking in these communities.

The community targeted programmes to change the mindset of people is the need of the hour. Such programmes can be awareness building, keeping a constant vigil against the practice of female feticide etc. Again much of these depend on uplifting the status of women in our society. Now time has come to articulate our social obligations. Let us use our own resources to act now. We need to adopt ways to effectively strategize our future actions to counter this social evil.