Gender-biased sex selection

Globally girls have higher survival rates at birth, but India is the only large country where more girls die than boys. Preference for sons and gender-biased sex selection have led to over 142 million girls “missing” globally and around 46 million girls “missing” in India each year between 2013 and 2017, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report, The State of the World Population 2020.

The rise in sex selection is alarming as it reflects the persistent low status of women and girls. The resulting gender imbalance also has a damaging effect on societies: instances of increased sexual violence and trafficking have already been linked to the phenomenon. Preference for a male child manifested in sex selection has led to dramatic, long-term shifts in the proportions of women and men. The latest Census data show a decline within the sex ratio with only 919 women for every 1000 men in 2011 as compared to the 927 women for every 1000 men in 2001. According to Niti Aayog, the sex ratio in India has declined from 903 in 2007 to 898 in 2018.

Bal va Mahila Chetna Samiti has mobilized media and community members to spread awareness about Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994, and has been conducting workshops on gender sensitization in schools, colleges and villages. The organisation also works with families to celebrate the birth of a girl child and encourages their education. Tara Ahluwalia, the founder of the organisation, has even exposed doctors and hospitals performing sex-selective termination.