For migrants in Beed,bearing a son is almost a must,reveals study

Of the 11 blocks in Beed,Shirur Kasar has the lowest child sex ratio. In 2011,it fell to 768 girls as against 1,000 boys. Dr Anjali Radkar,associate professor of GIPE,said the study was taken up in Shirur Kasar and Khalapuri blocks comprising 19 sub-centres.

In all 700 people were surveyed and that included 247 women from 93 migrant and 154 non-migrant families. The study was jointly carried out by Swiss AID India,Masum,Pune and Dalit Vikas Mandal,Satara. It found that the son preference is very high in Shirur Kasar. The study assessed the attitudes,perceptions and practices of migrant and non-migrant families.

It was found that there were 45 induced abortions,of which 36 were carried out in the private sector. Of this nine women were reported to have undergone sex selective abortion. Researchers have found that the average cost of an induced abortion was Rs 7,192. But the cost of a sex selective abortion was as high as Rs 16,444.

Radkar said the migrants don’t mind spending huge amounts for sex selective abortions. A shocking fact that study found was that among the neonatal deaths at least eight deaths of girl childs could have been avoided. The reason given were also absurd like the baby fell from the cradle or was neglected after birth !

“A woman without a son is like a childless woman and her status goes up in society when she gives birth to a boy,” said Varsha Deshpande of Dalit Vikas Mandal. Radkar said in the absence of a son,women fear that their husbands will marry again. The women revealed that they faced less torture and taunting with the birth of a son. The study also revealed that more migrant women face violence when compared to the non-migrants. Safety of their daughters has become the primary concern for women.

Dr Asaram Khade,state Pre-Conception and Pre Natal Determination of Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act coordinator,said the study points to the need for a change in mindsets and the urgent need to firmly implement PC-PNDT Act.