Falling child sex ratio bugs tribal areas now

Social scientists say this could be because of sex determination tests invading the tribal areas. They fear that a drop in the child sex ratio in these areas could have a multiplier effect on the state’s already dismal record of sex ratio,which is 918 females per every 1,000 males against the national average of 940:1000.

The latest census figures reveal that 12 of the 26 districts in the state saw a drop in their child sex ratio. These include almost all the districts located on the eastern tribal belt bordering the adjoining states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh; beginning from Banaskantha in the north to the Dangs in the south.

Surprisingly,the sex ratio skewed against females has been noticed in parts of the tribal population where women have traditionally enjoyed economic and social equality.

The dip in child sex ratio in tribal areas is a worry for the state which earmarks almost 15% of its budget for the development of tribal areas every year. The state is home to tribes of Bhils,Kuknas,Warlis,Naikas,Dublas,Gamits,Dhankas,Dhodias and Siddhis,which constitute 15% of its total population.

In comparison to the census data of 2001,the child sex ratio in districts like Kutch,Banaskantha,Porbandar,Amreli,Panchmahal,Dahod,Narmada,Bharuch,Dangs,Valsad,Surat and Tapi has seen a dip in 2011. Most of these districts have sizable tribal population.

“Tribals have traditionally been a gender-neutral society. The healthy sex ratio prevalent among them has always helped in boosting the overall ratio of Gujarat. However,with the child sex ratio witnessing a significant dip among tribals,the effects are bound to pull down the overall sex ratio of the state,” says Akash Acharya,faculty at Surat-based Centre for Social Studies (CSS),an autonomous social science research institute supported by the ICSSR (Indian Council of Social Science Research) and the Government of Gujarat.

“In recent times,the effects of urbanisation is beginning to show on the tribal population of Gujarat. They have far greater access to technology like sonography machines than what existed a decade ago. Moreover,there is a slow process of sensitisation happening among tribal communities where they are increasing trying to ape the culture of the upper castes,” said Acharya,who also been working on various issues affecting the tribal population.

The sex differentials in infants in tribal areas suggest there is a strong preference for the male child,which is similar to the trend existing in certain communities like Patels.

Since 1991,Gujarat has seen its child sex ratio decline from 928 to 886 in 2011,placing the state among the select ones like Haryana,Himachal Pradesh,Maharashtra,Goa,Delhi and Uttaranchal,where the ratio has declined drastically since 1991.