CSR Co-ordination Committee Holds Consultation on Declining Child Sex Ratio at Nellikaru
Mangaluru: The CSR Co-ordination Committee, Department Of Women And Child Development held a project level consultation on the declining child sex ratio in DK District under the Beti Padao, Beti Bachao programme, with various NGOs of Nellikaru Gram Panchayat, Moodbidri here on February 5.
The programme began with an invocation. Addressing the gathering Deputy Director of WCD Usman said, “The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme was started to protect the girl child because of the decline in girls sex rate. According to the survey of 2001, the ratio of girls to boys was 1000/1022 and in 2011, it was 1000/1020 but now it is declining. From the past one year, there has been an increase of 0.4% in the girls’ sex rate. We have chosen Nellikaru Gram Panchayat because there are fewer girls in this Gram. Where have the girls gone? We need to study the reason for the decline. There are many programmes to save girl child. Do we still think that girls are a burden? We need to do a thorough survey in this regard.”
Usman further said, “The Zilla Panchayat is organizing various programmes for girls. Recently, we have recognized five Gram Panchayats where the girls sex ratio is high. Today, we will study the reason for the decline in girl child sex ratio in Nellikaru. We need to balance the ratio of girls to boys. If we don’t take measures to resolve this, there will be socio-economic problems. We have formed various committees to work towards increasing the girl child sex ratio. We need your co-operation and support.”
The speaker of the day Dr Anitha, addressing the gathering said, “The decline in the child sex ratio is a dangerous sign. DK district is developed in every field such as education, health sector etc. But the decline in child sex ratio in Dakshina Kannada is alarming. The society may be adversely affected if the female sex ratio declines. In Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar and Haryana women are not safe since they are not well educated. But in Dakshina Kannada, people are educated and women are respected.”
Dr Anitha further said, “If there is a balance in sex ratio, the society will improve. In the survey done in 2018-19 in Nellikaru, the child sex ratio is 1000/641. we need to know the exact problem for the decline in the child sex ratio. In the range of 0- 5 years, boys were more than the girls. The Asha workers, Primary Health Centres and the Gram Panchayat is doing a good job in this direction. Today, we are here to discuss the issue with all of you. Are there any atrocities against women? Are there any abortions? We want more men to join this discussion and work towards solving the problem.”
Later, there was a face to face discussion. Gram Panchayat member Kamala said, “In Nellikaru, every family has concern for the girl child. There is no discrimination towards girls or women. As soon as the woman conceives, the Anganwadi workers visit their houses and issue cards. After the Matrpurna scheme was introduced pregnant women stopped visiting us. All the government departments including the health department is active. If there is still a decline in child sex ratio, then it is a dangerous sign. When the Anganwadi workers visit houses they face a lot of problems, there have been attacks by stray dogs.”
Another teacher said that in Nellikaru, the number of boys and girls are equal. “Even the Meena Club is organizing awareness programmes to save the girl child. Parents do not say they don’t need a girl child. Now the couple do not have more than two children. Everyone wants a girl child in Nellikaru and there is no question of abortion.”
Dr Bharat from PHC said, “According to my observation, the mortality rate in Nellikaru is zero. This year we had only two cases of MTP because of medical reasons. We don’t have exact statistics of child sex ratio. In PHC, we don’t have deliveries and there is no abortion. In the year 2019, since January, the child sex ratio was 29/27.”
Gram Panchayat president Jayanth Hegde said, “I have two boys. I actually wanted girls. I did not get girls but I am satisfied. There are no atrocities against girls or women. We have requested the police to start a beat system in Nellikaru and they have assured to do it. Once in three months, the police will hold a meeting with the villagers. We have given priority to girls in schools by constructing toilets. The government has implemented various schemes for girls. A survey is currently in progress and the results will be known by March 2020.”
PDO Rathi Shetty delivered the vote of thanks. Founder of Parivarthan Charitable Trust and chairperson of CSR Co-ordination Media Committee on declining Child Sex Ratio in DK District Violet Pereira, WCD officers Sonia Montiero and Vinuta, Bharati, Yashoda and others were also present.