Delhi holds awareness programme on declining child sex ratio

Concerned over the decline in the child sex ratio in the capital, the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) here recently held a public awareness programme.

At "Declining Child Sex Ratio", a consultation organised by DCPCR here on Saturday in collaboration with Action Aid and Beti Zindabad Campaign, the participants discussed the laws on pre-natal diagnostic techniques and their implementation.

The DCPCR highlighted that the child sex ratio in the capital city (866) is "below" the national average (914) and has even witnessed a two points decline as per 2011 statistics compared to 2001 in the city itself, a communique said.

The commission also discussed the recently launched 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' initiative of the government and the role of stakeholders in the campaign including that of media and the civil society organisations.

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

As per the 2001 census, the national average of sex ratio (female per thousand males) was 933 which improved by seven points to 940 in 2011.

The commission, however, expressed its concern over declining child sex ratio nationally in the age group of 0-6 years. "In the Census year 2001, this figure was 927 which after a decrease of 13 points is now 914 in the Census of 2011."

In Delhi, there is a decrease of two points in the child sex ratio for children aged 0-6. As in the 2001 Census, the number stood at 868 whereas in the 2011 Census this decreased to 866, the commission said.

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