Question

Which district reported the highest decadal increase in Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years)?

• A. A) Kozhikode
• B. B) Thrissur
• C. C) Kollam
• D. D) Pathanamthitta

Answer 1

Answer:

C. C) Kollam

Understanding Child Sex Ratio (CSR)

• The Child Sex Ratio (CSR) is a vital demographic indicator defined as the number of females per 1000 males in the 0-6 years age group.
• It serves as a critical measure of gender equality, societal attitudes towards the girl child, and the prevalence of practices like female foeticide and infanticide.
• A balanced CSR is crucial for maintaining a healthy demographic structure and reflects social progress.

Kollam's Significant Achievement

• According to the 2011 Census of India, Kollam district recorded the highest decadal increase in Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years) among all districts in Kerala.
• This remarkable increase signifies a positive shift in gender balance during early childhood within the district between the 2001 and 2011 Census periods.
• The growth in Kollam's CSR indicates potentially successful awareness campaigns, improved social acceptance of girl children, or a decline in sex-selective practices.

Kerala's Sex Ratio and CSR Landscape (2011 Census)

• Kerala is unique in India for its consistently high overall sex ratio, meaning it has more females than males across all age groups.
• As per the 2011 Census, Kerala's overall sex ratio was 1084 females per 1000 males, the highest among all Indian states.
• However, Kerala's Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years) in 2011 was 964 females per 1000 males, which, while high compared to the national average, was lower than its own overall sex ratio.
• In the 2011 Census, among Kerala districts, Alappuzha district had the highest Child Sex Ratio (977), while Idukki had the lowest (937). It is important to distinguish this from the *decadal increase* where Kollam led.

National Perspective on Child Sex Ratio (2011 Census)

• The national average Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years) in India stood at 919 females per 1000 males in the 2011 Census, which was a concerning decline from 927 in 2001.
• This declining trend nationally underscored the need for urgent interventions to address gender imbalance.
• States like Haryana and Punjab historically reported some of the lowest CSRs in the country, highlighting significant gender disparities.
• The Indian government launched the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' scheme to combat the declining CSR, promote the education of girl children, and change societal mindsets.

Factors Influencing CSR

• Key factors contributing to a skewed CSR include a strong societal son preference, the widespread availability and misuse of prenatal diagnostic techniques leading to sex-selective abortions, and a lack of adequate awareness regarding gender equality.
• Any positive decadal increase in CSR, as seen in Kollam, indicates a potential reversal of these trends, possibly due to improved healthcare access, enhanced social security for women, and effective public awareness campaigns.