Declining Sex-Ratio Role of Society, Technology and Government Regulation in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Sex-ratio or sex-composition is an important demographic characteristic of the population or society. In India’s population the deficit of women has been documented ever since the first decennial enumeration of people was conducted in the late 19th century, has been progressively increased. This deficit as evident from the sex-ratio of the population i.e. the number of women per 1000 men steadily declined from 972 (in 1901) to 940 in 2011 census. In India, an increase in the deficit of girl children in 0-6 age group, noted in the four decennial census, i.e. in 1981 (962 girls), in 1991 (945), in 2001 (927) and 914 girls in 2011, is an indicator of a strong possibility that traditional methods of neglect of female children are increasingly being replaced by not allowing female children to be born. In Himachal Pradesh juvenile sex-ratio declined from 971 in 1981 to 906 in 2011. The recent decline in the juvenile sex-ratio resulted from the ongoing pace of fertility transition, desired family size, practice of female infanticide, and rapid spread of reproductive technology such as-ultrasound and amniocentesis tests for sex-determination followed by sex-selective abortions in many parts of the country. However, government is taking initiative to stop gender discrimination and preference of boys over girl children. In this direction, stringent law, awareness, gender sensitive approach and change in mindset would be the best way for immediate action. To point out on this problem, the main focus of this paper is on declining sex-ratio, role of society, and government regulation with special reference to Himachal Pradesh.