DCPCR concerned over falling child sex ratio; holds program in national capital

By NewsGram Staff Writer

The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) held a public awareness program, "Declining Child Sex Ratio," on Saturday to alert people regarding the fall in the child sex ratio.

The program was held in collaboration with Action Aid and Beti Zindabad Campaign. The participants talked about the laws on pre-natal diagnostic techniques and their implementation.

The DCPCR emphasized on the child sex ratio in the capital city (866), which is "lower" than the national average (914) and has even seen a two points decline as per 2011 statistics compared to 2001 in the city itself.

The commission also spoke on government's recently launched 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' project and the position of stakeholders, media and the civil society organizations in the campaign.

The release stated, "We all know that the declining child sex ratio in India is of prime concern for the government. Delhi is no exception to it."

Though the 2011 census revealed that national average of sex ratio (female per thousand males) improved by a marginal seven points from 933 to 940, it showed a declining trend in the age group of 0-6 years.

According to the commission, there was a decrease of 13 points in child sex ratio nationally in the age group of 0-6 years. It said, "In the Census year 2001, this figure was 927 which after a decrease of 13 points is now 914 in the Census of 2011."

The national capital sees a decrease of two points in the child sex ratio for children aged 0-6. In the 2001 Census, the number stood at 868 while it decreased to 866 in the 2011 Census, the commission said.

Nevertheless, there is an increase of about 10 points in the age group of 7 years and above.