The provisional figures of 2011 Census are now in public
domain. the data shows our population growth rate have somewhat
slowed. But the most disturbing fact have emerged from analysis of 0-6 age
group and there sex ratio. it seems the drop in population growth rate
have come on the price of female children of our society. this has become a
pan India epidemic.
Chhattisgarh seems in a better position, perhaps due to lack
of advanced medicinal diagnosis facilities in
most districts, but drop in CSR
have definitely registered in
all except 3 district. With a drop of 29
points, Raigarh district have registered highest decline in last decade. As per
provisional reports of Census India , Statewide position in Child sex ratio is
given here under;
|
Rank
|
District
|
Sex ratio 2001
|
Sex ratio 2011
|
Absolute change 2001-2011
|
% change
2001-2011
|
|
1
|
Raigarh
|
972
|
943
|
-29
|
-3.0
|
|
2
|
Mahasamund
|
989
|
960
|
-29
|
-2.9
|
|
3
|
Bastar
|
1014
|
991
|
-23
|
-2.3
|
|
4
|
Surguja
|
974
|
955
|
-19
|
-1.9
|
|
5
|
Janjgir
Champa
|
964
|
945
|
-19
|
-2.0
|
|
6
|
Durg
|
975
|
958
|
-17
|
-1.7
|
|
7
|
Rajandgaon
|
990
|
976
|
-14
|
-1.5
|
|
8
|
Korba
|
976
|
964
|
-11
|
-1.2
|
|
9
|
Dhamtari
|
979
|
969
|
-10
|
-1.0
|
|
10
|
Dantewada
|
1014
|
1005
|
-9
|
-0.9
|
|
11
|
Raipur
|
971
|
965
|
-6
|
-0.6
|
|
12
|
Koria
|
974
|
968
|
-6
|
-0.6
|
|
13
|
Kanker
|
976
|
975
|
-1
|
-0.1
|
|
14
|
Jashpur
|
964
|
974
|
+10
|
+1.0
|
|
15
|
Bilaspur
|
947
|
957
|
+10
|
+1.1
|
|
16
|
Kabirdham
|
962
|
973
|
+10
|
+1.1
|
For age group 0-6
Gender Bias
and Sex ratio
The pre-dominantly patriarchal, social, cultural and
religious set up based on the foundation that the family line runs through a
male has contributed extensively to the secondary status of women in India.
This has led to strong desire to avoid the birth of a female child in the
family resulting in decline in the child sex ratio (SR) at an alarming rate.
 |
| Sex Ratio (0-6) in Raigarh: 1991-2001-2011 |
In India, the last century was marked by an almost
continual decline in the country’s SR. The beginning of the 21st century has
shown a marginal increase (from 927 in 1991 to 933 in 2001). Other census
statistics reveal a wide gap in the rural and urban ratios (Chart 2). In 2001,
the SR in rural areas was 946, compared to 900 in urban areas. A defining
indicator of the grim scenario is the sharp decline in the child sex ratio (in
the age group 0-6 years) over the last decade. The overall child sex ratio has
declined from 945 in 1991 to 927 in 2001. Alarmingly, the urban areas, more
literate and therefore perceived as being more modern, have shown a huge
29-point decline – from 935 in 1991 to 906 in 2001.
The subordinate status of women in India is largely
a result of patriarchy and its influences on the social, cultural and religious
aspects of life. A patriarchal structure is based on the foundation that the
family line runs through a male – that is, all descent and inheritance are
traced through the male. This has resulted in an exalted status for the male
and reduced the woman to a secondary position, dependent on and controlled by
different men in the family– father, brother, husband, son – at the various
stages of her life. This unequal relationship governs the rules of marriage,
which is considered a process whereby the father passes on his burden, his
daughter, to the husband, whose family demands a high price – a dowry – for
taking on the burden. It often takes generations to repay the debts incurred to
pay the dowry and other marriage expenses. Marriage only reaffirms the woman’s
subordinate status, giving her no say in the running of her life or any control
over her body or bodily integrity.
Social discrimination in context of
Raigarh district.
In Raigarh district, Discrimination is visible in
various forms. Sex Ratio in rural areas of district is slightly
better (1003) than urban (930) while women work participation is 39.2%. Female
literacy rate is far behind (57%) then men (82%). This is even worse in case of
SC women (53%) and ST women (45%). A sincere and sustained effort for gender
equality as an integral part of all development programmes needs to be
initiated. Self help groups and reservations in panchyat have increased women’s
say in household and community level decision making but still a long way is
ahead for gender equity.
 |
Where they
all have gone ..... ??
( A sight at raigarh Railway Station) |
Access to education for them is determined only in
part by their gender. The gender role for girls as defined by traditional
society often persuades parents to assume that the education of girls is an
unnecessary investment. Girls are usually made to stay home to look after the
household needs of the family, which they continue to do after they grow up and
get married. Many times, girls are officially enrolled in school but not attend
school. Financial constraint is a major
factor that prevents girls from attending school. Though all children face the
threat of not being sent to school when their parents are not economically well
off, girls find it even more difficult because of their prescribed gender role.
Thus, Misuse of the techniques
like amniocentesis to determine the sex of the foetus and subsequent abortions
if the foetus was found to be female, is increasing in the district.
 |
| Endangered Species..?? |
Killing young-borns was
once seen as a barbaric practice has, chillingly, now become increasingly
accepted, albeit sometimes in more “technically advanced” forms. Female
infanticide has found a partner in female feticide, to give India a low Sex
Ratio and a consistently falling female population.
The most starling fact
In situation analysis, the most startling fact come over that most advanced, educated , powerful and richer communities has lowest Child sex ratio. The communities leading in political empowerment and business state and has done worst in Raigarh and all across the state. "Yato Mahajne gato sa pantha" Means where the rich and powerful go becomes the way of society. the same is underway in our society today.
if the situation is not reversed with immediate attention, next twenty - thirty years down the line, Our sons or there sons have to follow the suit of Pandvas. Marrying Five sons to one women.
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janmitram@gmail.com
