Killing Female Fetus in Haryana, India: Is It a Result of Family Composition Strategy or Sex Selective Discrimination

Sutapa Agrawal, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Sayeed Unisa, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

Background Demographically sex selective abortion can affect the sex ratio of the population. In Indian context particularly the decline of sex ratio in the last century was a matter of great concern among social scientist. Further if sex selective abortion increases then it could have serious implications for the sex ratio of India's population. The matter could be worst for the northwest Indian state like Haryana where sex ratio was low since historic times. A survey of the village women, and doctors at clinics in the nearest town surrounding the villages indicated that ultrasound examinations and sex-selected abortion are common practice and they are on the rise. The present study is an attempt to investigate the social, cultural, economic and political reason that makes the parents want sons so much that they kill daughters by neglect (or worse) in greater numbers in rural Haryana. Methods The state has been identified with low level of child sex-ratio (F/M) followed by a district and villages. Lastly, the complete household survey was conducted in these villages to ascertain the magnitude of the sex selective abortions and the influence of family planning programmes. Results The highly skewed sex ratio in this population of children 5 years or younger can be largely attributed to increased use of prenatal sex determination and sex-selective abortion of female fetuses. Sex Ratio (M/F) of children in first pregnancy outcome was around 200 which is quite abnormal when compared to sex ratio at birth (SRB) of 105. Among those women who had first female baby, the sex ratio in the second pregnancy outcome is around 220. In case of women with three children ever born, with two female child in the first and second pregnancy, the sex ratio of the third pregnancy outcome is around 400. This shows the massive prevalence of sex selective abortion in the area. Conclusions Many people believe that due to the son-preference deeply engraved in the, Indian society, a large number of people keep on increasing the family size with the hope of begetting a son. Sex Determination tests according to them, is the best measure of Family Planning. Several others, including certain policy planners consider women as 'procreation machines'. Hence, 'decreasing the number of machines would automatically lower their total output' is their logic. It has resulted in fixation of NRR 1 (Net Reproductive Rate = 1) i.e. each surviving female should be replaced by only one daughter-as an important target earmarked for India's population programme. Public Health Implications Abortion of unborn daughters is bound to accelerate the downward slide of females along the demographic ladder. Family planning and family welfare go much beyond the narrow concept of numbers. 'Quality of life' is inseparable from them. What would be the quality of life of the Indian woman (mostly anemic and a young mother) who is made to pass through a vicious cycle of conception, Sex Determining tests, abortion and subsequent conception?