Despite the state government's efforts, the sex ratio has decreased to 918 females (per 1,000 males) in 2011 from 920 (per 1,000 males) in 2001 in the state.
Gujarat's figures for sex ratio in Census 2011 may get mixed reactions. Despite the state government's efforts, the sex ratio in the total population has decreased to 918 (per 1,000 males) in 2011 from 920 (per 1,000 males) in 2001 in Gujarat.
However, the good news is that the sex ratio has marginally improved in the age group of 0 to 6 years to 886 (per 1000 male children born) in 2011 from 883 in 2001. The data gathered from the ministry of home affairs, government of India, suggests that sex ratio in population aged 7 and above has also decreased to 923 in 2011 from 927 (per 1,000 male children born) in 2001.
Experts suggest that before we cheer marginal increase in the child sex ratio, the government needs to focus on making
stringent norms to curb female foeticide, punish those caught opting for sex determination tests and abortions and increase awareness in society to bring the child sex ratio to an equal level.
Ila Vakharia of NGO Chetna, who has been working towards the empowerment of street and working children to increase awareness on the issue, said it is good that the figures show marginal increase in the sex ratio in age group of 0-6 years.
"The state government, communities and NGOs have all worked to make this possible. However, this is a marginal increase and we have a long way to go. Still, government needs to focus on spreading awareness about the same during functions and programmes. While Gujarat's sex ratio has improved, it has gone worse at the national level and Indian government needs to aggressively form an action plan to improve the sex ratio," she added.
Gujarat still needs to take measures, like other states, to improve the sex ratio - for instance Punjab, where it was 798 in 2001, brought it up to 846 in 2011 in the age group of 0 to 6 years, she added.
Dr Nayna Patel, an IVF expert in Anand, said, the marginal increase is good but Gujarat should mark efforts to make sex ratio equal. "It is good news as the sex ratio in 2004-2005 had gone down alarmingly raising concern. We now need to equalise child sex ratio and for that the government needs to actively come up with stringent norms for both doctors and the people. Also, people in urban and rural areas need to be educated on the matter. They should change their mindset on the issue to make a difference."
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