PUNE, Aug 1: Those championing the cause of equality for women might finally see their efforts rewarded with the gradual dissapearance of gender-based discrimination in rural India, where it has been most prevalent.The collected data of a recent study, supported by the International Health Policy Programme, Washington DC, USA, and conducted by the BAIF Development Research Foundation, a Pune based non-governmental voluntary organisation along with other associate research organisations in Maharashtra, Gujrat, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, significantly highlights the disappearing trend of gender-based discrimination from the country.The report comes as a succor to the steps initiated by the government to promote the welfare of the girl child, especially in the rural area, through mass awareness programme supplemented by literacy drive and various health programmes.Contrary to the general belief, the study reveals no gender differences in the nutritional status of the under-five children, immunization coverage, reported sickness and treatment taken, even when sub groups of the population, by caste and asset holding of the household, were compared.During the study, the data was collected from five selected rural areas in the five states through a cross sectional study and qualitative investigations.The five rural areas included in the study were Gandevi (Gujrat), Akole (Maharashtra), Gadag (Karnataka), Karchhana (Uttar Pradesh) and Raila (Rajasthan). The comprehensive study involving planning and field work took three years for completion. The analysing and interpreting of the study results was done with assistance from advisors' team at the School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University.In each area, over 3000 families, or above 15,000 individuals were included in the study. Information regarding the demography, educational, social and economic background of the family and anthropometry of children under five years, was gathered by a team of trained investigators, doctors, sociologists and anthropologists.The levels of nutrition in pre-school children and education in nine to 15-year-old children were found to rise parallel to the available facility in the area and improving social and economic position of the family.Educational levels in females and males were compared separately for each decade age group in the population. A trend of improving educational levels and reducing gender differences was observed in all study areas.Extremely interesting differences were seen in the factors influencing nutrition when an identical regression equation was applied separately for girls and boys.Educational level, especially in adult male member in the family included the weight for age of the boys only. Whereas other factors like belonging to the lower castes, food shortage faced by the family, use of safe drinking water source, size and type of the family influenced nutrition in girls.Dipti Chirmulay, coordinator of the project supported by World Bank said, ``Immunization coverage for children between one to two years varied considerably in the five study areas. It was found to be highest, over 90 per cent in Gandevi and lowest, barely 10 per cent in Raila. This situation was found to be parallel to the existing primary health care infrastructure and reach in the areas of study.''
