In a concerning development, the sex ratio at birth (SRB) in Haryana has experienced a worrying decline of 11 points over six months, prompting urgent action from the woman and child development department. The cumulative SRB from January to June has fallen to 906 female births per 1,000 males, a significant drop from 917 in December 2022. This marks the lowest half-yearly SRB since 2016, raising serious concerns for the state government. The recent decline contrasts with the positive trends observed in previous years, where SRB figures showed improvement.
However, the current downward trajectory demands immediate attention to address the issue of female foeticide and promote the “Save the Girl Child” program. Officials are now emphasizing the importance of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, a flagship program launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, which had initially led to a commendable improvement of approximately 50 points in the SRB until 2022.
During a virtual meeting on July 21, the director of the woman and child development department, Monica Malik, expressed deep concern and urged district officers to take proactive and effective measures to combat the heinous menace of female foeticide. Malik stressed that attitudinal change in society is vital and that improving SRB requires a collective effort. Various girl child welfare schemes were highlighted during the meeting as instrumental in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of girls.
The declining SRB has been identified in districts such as Rohtak, Charkhi Dadri, Gurugram, Kaithal, Karnal, Bhiwani, Mewat, Panchkula, Mahendergarh, and Palwal. The state government is particularly alarmed by the 11-point downturn witnessed in just six months, calling for stringent action against those involved in killing female children in the womb. Despite some districts showing improvement in the SRB, data from up to June 2023 reveals that eight districts, including seven from the National Capital Region (NCR), have SRB below 900.
Urgent coordinated efforts are now being advocated to reinforce the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao program and ensure seamless information flow among stakeholders. The situation demands immediate attention and policy formulation to reverse the declining trend and reaffirm the state’s commitment to empowering and uplifting the girl child. The efforts of districts that have shown improvements are applauded, but there is an urgent need for collaborative action to ensure a brighter future for the girl child in Haryana.