दिल्ली में कैसे घटीं बेट‍ियां, क्या चोरी-छुपे जेंडर टेस्टिंग और अबॉर्शन जारी है? जानिए- कौन इसका जिम्मेदार

The birth figure of daughters in Delhi has fallen for the fourth consecutive year. The latest figures of the government show that in 2024, only 920 daughters were born on every 1,000 boys in the capital. In 2023, the figure was 922, while in 2022, 929 reached and 933 in 2018. That is, the birth percentage of daughters is decreasing from year to year.

Talking about the reasons behind this, it is a seal on the thinking of ‘son’s desire’ in the society. Also, there are such centers behind it, which test the fetus through gender testing ie ultrasound. Despite stringent laws, why is it not able to change the thinking towards daughters in the society. After all, what are the reasons behind the declining birth rate of daughters. Experts give different opinions on this.

These are the latest government figures

Total Birth (2024): 3,06,459 (3,15,087 in 2023)
Average daily birth: 837 (863 in 2023)
Percentage of girls: 47.9% (1,46,832)
Percentage of boys: 52.1% (1,59,549), others: 78 (0.03%)

Why is the birth of girls decreasing?

Experts believe that this decline may look modest but the trend is dangerous. In this reasons, illegal fetal sex tests and miscarriage are being described as an important reason. Delhi-It has been feared in NCR for a long time that prenatal sex determination (gender testing) is being done in many places. Former MCD Hospital Administration Director of Delhi Arun Yadav said in a conversation with TOI that we need constant action on these illegal units and not just sporadic raids.

Not just figures, serious social signs

The decreasing sex ratio for four consecutive years is a clear indication that the thinking of the society about the birth of daughters has not changed. The total birth rate declines by 2.7% as well as the decrease in sex ratio together show that it may have an impact on Delhi’s demographics in the coming time.

Divisional is a big reason: sociologist

Vivek Kumar, Professor of Vishwas Samaj Shastri JNU, says that the percentage of birth of daughters in areas called Delhi and educated can not be understood only by medical or biological factor. This is actually the result of the deeply paved patriarchal mindset of our society. Whether it is gender selection, feticide or ‘son will move forward’, all these are still affecting behavior and decisions.

Prof. Vivek Kumar further says that the question is that when the availability of education, law and health services is said to be the best, daughters are being born less, then it is not difficult to guess the situation of small towns and villages.

The PC-PNDT Act is only a legal tool, but if the social mindset does not change, then the picture will not change only with the law. It is necessary that education system, media and government policies together make the spirit of ‘son-daughter uniform’ a part of social behavior. Otherwise, no matter how much the data comes, in real life, the space for daughters will be shrunk.

It is necessary to see the effect of ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ in the society

Lora Prabhu (Director, Center for Equity and Inclusion), who has been working for a long time on the PNDT Act, says that if you see other figures, the picture is even more worrisome. Women’s workforce participation is in a very poor condition and gender-based violence is increasing continuously. Both these things are related to each other. Until it is not accepted that the daughter can also contribute financially to the family and society, her ‘value’ will not increase.

According to Lora Prabhu, even today, it is considered the goal to teach daughters and get married. Dowry practice continues and after that problems like domestic violence and street violence start. In clear terms, women are not getting equal on all three fronts education, employment and security. Even after so many years of independence in Parliament, only 10-15 percent of women have reached. It tells how deep the gap is even at the policy level.

She says that the sex ratio in Delhi is decreasing and this situation has worsened after the epidemic. Campaigns like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ are good slogans, but it is necessary to descend deeply in the Narrative of the society. Till the mentality of the people does not change, the PC-PNDT Act or any law will remain only on paper. The real change will come only when every human will try to eliminate gender discrimination from within. It is the responsibility of the government and institutions, but the family and society also have to understand that the daughter is not a burden, but a partner of equality.

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