GENDER BIAS

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GENDER BIAS PREMA RAMACHANDRAN Director,
Nutrition Foundation of India
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• IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE OF GENDER BIAS FROM
• Peoples Perception
• Demographic Indices
• Health Care Indices
• Nutrition Indices

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• Are there any policies programmes to reduce
  consequences of gender bias
• Advocacy/legislation
• Programme interventions in
• Maternal and child health
• Nutrition

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CONTRACEPTIVE USE IS THERE A SON PREFERENCE ?
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• GENDER BIAS - IMPACT ON SEX RATIO 0-6 SEX
  RATIO
• Time trends
• Interstate inter district variations
• Interventions to arrest reverse the trend

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The changes till 1971 are mainly due to
higher longevity among men in 2001 womens
longevity is slightly greater than mens
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Urban sex ratio is lower partly due to urban
migration of men
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Sex Ratio Less than 900
Total No. of Districts (excl J K) in 1991 452
Number of Districts 143 or 31.6 districts
District Map indicating sex ratio (census 2001)
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2001 Census Data
Child Sex Ratio in the Age Group 0 6 (1981 to
2001)
Census Year Total Rural Urban
1981 962 963 931
1991 945 948 935
2001 927 934 903
Decline in child sex ratio in age group 0-6 from 945 in 1991 to 927 in 2001 has activated the socio-political, legal and administrative setup of the country. Decline in child sex ratio in age group 0-6 from 945 in 1991 to 927 in 2001 has activated the socio-political, legal and administrative setup of the country. Decline in child sex ratio in age group 0-6 from 945 in 1991 to 927 in 2001 has activated the socio-political, legal and administrative setup of the country. Decline in child sex ratio in age group 0-6 from 945 in 1991 to 927 in 2001 has activated the socio-political, legal and administrative setup of the country.
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Child Sex Ratio 2001(District level)
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Haryana Child sex ratio (District)
1991
2001
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Child Sex Ratio 2001 Gujarat by Tahsils
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Child Sex Ratio 2001 Tamil Nadu by Tahsils
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SOURCESAMPLE RAGISTRATION SYSTEM
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Source Census of India
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Reported sex ratio at birth Punjab District
level 2000
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Sex Ratio at Birth Rajasthan
2001
2000
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• Ongoing Interventions
• PNDT Act
• Female infanticide is a cognizable offence
• Universal registration of all pregnant women
• Antenatal care and Counseling
• Advocacy for institutional delivery
• Universal registration of births and deaths to
  identify problem areas for focussed
  intervention

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Amniocentesis No longer commonly
used Ultrasonography Diagnosis of sex possible
in II trimester by visualising the
genitalia Chorion Villous Diagnosis in I
trimester biopsy expensive, has risks
spontaneous abortion Pre-conceptional
Developing technology sex selection
individuals choice
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• PNDT Act can therefore be an enabling tool for
  achieving social transformation.
• It can be used as an educational tool to build
  up awareness among the population.
• The deterrent punitive measures may reduce abuse
  of the technology by the clinics for sex
  selective abortion.
• However only when the population mind set is
  changed can manifestations of the gender bias,
  like female infanticide and sex selective
  abortions, be eliminated.

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Gender difference in Undernutrition (DLHS2003)
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Anaemia among Adolescents girls age 10-19 years
in INDIA
5 Percent
28 Percent
24 Percent
43 Percent
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Anaemia among pregnant women in Major States
Percent
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• EFFECT OF INCREASE IN LONGEVITY
• women live longer
• more women than men in over 65 years
• mostly housewives no assured income
• poor family support
• poor health care
• unneeded not looked after.
• Current Need Better care for these women who
  cared for others as long as they could

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THANK YOU