Gender Imbalance : the Bengal Scenario

Sampriti Mukherjee

Sex ratio has become one of the most vital demographic indicators as it not only explains the population characteristics but also highlights the social, political and economic structure of the area. The Census of India 2011 defines sex ratio as the "number of females per 1000 males in the population". Moreover, in India the child sex ratio is described as "the number of females per 1000 males in the age group 0-6 years in a human population" ("Gender composition", 2011). Both these indicators show the extent of equity between females and males in a society at any given point of time, by explaining other linkages such as, gender gap in education, maternal mortality, sex selective migration, mean age of marriage, sex selective abortion including incidences of female foeticide and infanticide.

Such problems have long been plaguing India even after 69 years of independence, which is faced with a steadily declining child sex ratio so much so that it has reached a catastrophic position and urgent steps need to be taken to address this issue. Emphasising the condition of Bengal, it is currently facing a peculiar demographic situation whereby the Overall Sex Ratio (OSR), has exhibited an upward trend but the child sex ratio has disastrously declined. Statistically, Bengal's sex ratio has shown a positive trend since independence, as it has increased from 878 (1961 census) to 947 (2011 census). On the contrary, Child Sex Ratio (CSR) has slid down from 1008 (1961 census) to 950 (2011 census) (Som & Mishra, 2014).

By juxtaposing the statistical figures of rural and urban Bengal, it can be observed that there has been a general growth in the sex ratio from 2001 to 2011, for instance the Scheduled Tribe figures have grown from 984 to 1000 in the rural area and 950 to 991 in the urban area. Surprisingly, the figures for the urban area sex ratios have been consistently less than those of the rural areas for the categories of General, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Dawn & Basu, 2015). Moreover, the same trend is followed in the statistics of Child Sex Ratio whereby the urban areas have fared less well than rural areas, as explained in the district-wise analysis; the only difference being the child sex ratios have been steadily decreasing.

A clearer picture is presented through the district-wise analysis of Bengal; the lowest sex ratio recorded in 1961 was that of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (630) while Murshidabad had the highest sex ratio (974). This occurred because of the steady inflow of male migrants into Kolkata as the growing city had a lot of job opportunities. Although, in 2011 the sex ratio of Kolkata has improved to 908, it still remains as the district with the lowest sex ratio. Most of the districts in the state, except Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Haora and Hugli show a decline in the child sex ratios. An abrupt fall in child sex ratio has been retarded in majority of districts under Barddhaman unit (especially Puruliya), Jalpaiguri administrative unit (especially Koch Bihar and Maldah), Nadia, North and South 24 Paraganas. Such statistical data shows that there is a strong son preference even in the urban areas, with the problem being more acute for families living in the fringe areas or squatter settlements (Dawn & Basu, 2015).

The positive trend in overall sex ratio brings into question its possible reasons which are greater proportion of female in-migrants, maternal mortality rate, greater female life expectancy at birth and better female literacy rate.

As per Census 2001, the female in-migrants into Bengal stood at 69.57% as compared to 30.43% of male migrants. Considering that there has been a sharp increase in the migration rate into Bengal, (5.1 million in 1991 to 5.5 million in 2001), it should definitely be a factor to push up the overall sex ratio ("Migration", 2011).

Second, the maternal mortality rates have been declining since 2006-2007 and 2007-2009 survey years and now stand at 117 as compared to the national average of 178 (National Health Mission, 2013). The maternal health indicator under reproductive and child health programme shows a gradual increase from 1998-1999 to 2002-2003. In this period, women undergoing three or more antenatal check-up have increased from 55.4 to 58.4, and having total institutional deliveries have increased from 38.9 to 49.4, having safe deliveries have risen from 45.6 to 66.8 ("State-wise maternal health indicator under reproductive and child health programme in India (1998-1999 and 2002-2003)").

Third, the female life expectancy at birth in Bengal has jumped up from 61.94 in 1991-96 to 69.3 in 2001-06 whereas the male life expectancy at birth (61.95 in 1991-96 to 66.1 in 2001-06) has been consistently less than female life expectancy (National Health Mission, 2013). Moreover, the sharp rise in violent deaths (including homicide, traffic accidents and suicide) has been four times higher for men than for women (Som & Mishra, 2014).

Finally, the female literacy rate in Bengal has risen from 59.61% to 70.54%, denoting better awareness and quality of life. However, this is a contentious point as this rise in female literacy has not been able to curb the slide in child sex ratio (Census2011, 2015).

The fall in Bengal's child sex ratio seems surprising when compared to its positive overall sex ratio. On analysis, several factors come into forefront explaining the possible reasons for the slide in the child sex ratio of Bengal.

First, there has been a sharp decline in the child sex ratio at birth. The sex-ratio of children (0-4 years) from 2006-08 to 2011-13 has fallen from 970 in 2006-08 to 963 in 2011-13 ["Selected State-wise Sex Ratio of Child (Age Group 6-4 Years) in India (2006-2008 to 2011-2013)"]. The sex ratio at birth based on registered events in India (1998 to 2012) shows extreme fluctuations, for instance the 1998 figure is 906 but in 2002 it plummets down to 882. The 2012 figure stands at 926 which is lower than the 2010 figure of 931 ("State-wise Sex Ratio (Number of Females Per Thousand Males) at Birth Based on Registered Events in India (1998 to 2012)"). The statistical figures show that there is a possibility of female infanticide and foeticide happening which leads to the reduction in child sex ratio.

The fall in child sex ratio numbers might also be due to the foeticide cases which go unreported due to the nexus between the police and the people carrying out such actions. As per statistics, the number of cases registered, cases charge sheeted, cases convicted, persons arrested, persons chargesheeted persons convicted and conviction rate in Bengal have consistently remained 0 from 2012-14 except in 2013 when 3 cases were registered, 2 cases were chargesheeted, 5 persons were arrested, 5 persons were chargesheeted but 0 persons were convicted ["State-wise Number of Cases Registered (CR)].

Third, poor infant health services can have a direct correlation with infant mortality. Observing the statistics involving the expenditure under reproductive and child health flexible pool (excluding routine immunization), it can be seen that though the allocation of money from 2013-2014 to 2015-2016 has remained almost the same of Rs 563 crore, yet the expenditure has dropped from Rs 384.03 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 365.82 crore in 2015-16 ["State-wise Amount Allocation and Expenditure under Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Programme Flexible Pool (Excluding Routine Immunization) in India (2013-2014 to 2015-2016)"]. Since private health care is expensive and not affordable by all, the poor government services can have a direct long-term impact on children's health.

Finally, the deep seated bias against girl children has found reflection in the increased prevalence in child marriages and child trafficking. Among all the states, Bengal has the fifth highest prevalence of child marriage with 54.7% currently married women (age 20-24) having been married before 18. Bengal also has high incidences of trafficking. Such gendered practices affect the girl child the most, with a very small percentage of boys having to face the same fate. Such regressive practices adversely affect the health, education, growth, nutritional status and development of girls from a very young age (Kanyashree Online 3.0, 2013-2014).

It is shocking to note that even in the 21st century, girl children are still being discriminated against, which not only has frightening implications for gender justice but also for human development. Bengal still sees girl children being killed before and after birth, despite incentive-based schemes and legal prohibitions provided by the Union and State Government. It is important that the Bengal government and the Union government take definitive measures to prevent female foeticide and infanticide. It is also important to improve child care and reproductive health services to curb infant mortality rates. Several policies and programmes such as the Union Government initiative ‘‘Beti bachao, Beti padao’’ (Save the girl child, educate the girl child), the Bengal Government program 'Kanyashree Prakalpa' which attempts to protect and empower adolescent girls, need to be implemented with more consistency (Dawn & Basu, 2015) (Kanyashree Online 3.0, 2013-2014). Moreover, it is not only the responsibility of the government to save the girl child. Non-government organizations as well as individuals should come together to promote a balanced demographic structure so that every girl gets her right to live a happy and healthy life.

References :
Census of India, (2011). Gender composition. Retrieved from Government of India : Ministry of Home Affairs- Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India.
Census of India, (2011). Migration. Retrieved from Government of India: Ministry of Home Affairs-Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India.
Census 2011, (2015). West Bengal population census data 2011.
Dawn, A & Basu, R (2015). Fluctuation of sex ratio in India with special reference to West Bengal. International Journal of Recent Scientific Research. 6 (5). 3796-3801.
Indiastat. (n.d.). State-wise maternal health indicator under reproductive and child health programme in India (1998-1999 and 2002-2001).
Indiastat, (n.d.). Selected State-wise Sex Ratio of Child (Age Group 0-4 Years) in India (2006-2008 to 2011-2013).
Indiastat, (n.d.). State-wise Sex Ratio (Number of Females Per Thousand Males) at Birth Based on Registered Events in India (1998 to 2012).
Indiastat, (n.d.). State-wise Number of Cases Registered (CR), Cases Charge Sheeted (CS), Cases Convicted (CV), Persons Arrested (PAR), Persons Chargesheeted (PCS), Persons Convicted (PCV) and Conviction Rate (CVR) under Foeticide in India (2012 to 2014).
Indiastat, (n.d.). State-wise Number of Bodies Registered, Ongoing Court/Cases, Machines Seized/Sealed, Convictions, and Suspension of Medical Lincenses under Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Determination Techniques (PC and PNDT) Act in India (Upto March, 2014).
Indiastat, (n.d.). State-wise Amount Allocation and Expenditure under Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Programme Flexible Pool (Excluding Routine Immunization) in India (2013-2014 to 2015-2016).
Kanyashree Online 3.0, (2013-2014). Background.
National Health Mission, (2013). State wise Information : West Bengal. Retrieved from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
Som, S K & Mishra, R P (2014). Gender imbalance: Trends, pattern and its impact on West Bengal. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 4 (1), 1-10.

Child sex ratio and Overall sex ratio in Bengal (Som & Mishra, 2014)

Source : Census of India, 1951- 2011 (Provisional)

Settlement Category-wise General Sex Ratio in Bengal, 2001-2011
(Dawn & Basu, 2015)

Source : Census of India, 2001-11

Decadal variations in child sex ratio in districts of Bengal (Dawn & Basu, 2015)

[Source: Computed from the data available from Census of India]

Frontier
Vol. 49, No.25, Dec 25 - 31, 2016