Maharashtra Sex Ratio At Birth Raises Alarm Over Urban-Rural Divide
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Vulnerable sections (SC/ST, minorities, disabled, elderly, children)· Mains·
Why in news
Maharashtra's sex ratio at birth remains below the national average with a significant urban-rural divide, prompting Health Minister Prakash Abitkar to propose tighter regulations against sex-selective practices.
Background
Maharashtra's sex ratio at birth is 910 girls per 1,000 boys in rural areas and 885 in urban areas. The state ranks among the bottom five for sex ratio, alongside Bihar, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttarakhand.
Facts for Prelims
- FactMaharashtra rural sex ratio at birth: 910 girls per 1,000 boys
- FactMaharashtra urban sex ratio at birth: 885 girls per 1,000 boys
- FactMaharashtra ranks among bottom five states for sex ratio alongside Bihar, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttarakhand
For Mains
Q. Analyze the socio-cultural factors contributing to the skewed sex ratio at birth in Maharashtra despite a low Total Fertility Rate (TFR).
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Son preference: Deep-seated patriarchal norms and perceived economic value of male children
- Regulatory gap: Ineffectiveness of current enforcement against clandestine sex-selective abortion practices
- Urban-rural disparity: Higher prevalence of sex-selective practices in urban centers compared to national trends
Keywords: Sex-selective practices · Son preference · Total Fertility Rate · Demographic imbalance · Gender justice
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