The Hard-Hitting Consequences of an Imbalanced Sex Ratio

India is one the many countries with the most imbalanced sex ratio. Further, the situation seems to be declining steadily. It should come as no surprise that every consequence of an imbalanced sex ratio affects a girl child more than the male population within a country. Here is how a low sex ratio in India can affect the overall social scenario:

Violence against women

The drastic imbalance in the sex ratio has been one of the major causes of increase in violence against women. With cases of abuse against young girls, women, and even infants, this stark difference is an issue that needs to be dealt with on a continual basis. Due to the fear of violence, female infanticide committed by parents too has become rampant owing to the chances of potential threat to girls as they grow up. Further the incidences of women being abused for giving birth to girl children has seen little change in the past decade even with numerous programs and reforms being started to ensure the safety of girls and children.

Increase in girl child trafficking

With the ratio of males being significantly more than that of females, the cases of girl child trafficking have also seen a drastic increase in regions where this difference is stark. With lack of brides for the males of the villages, people have resorted to purchasing brides from areas that are economically backward, reducing women and girls to commodities. Ensuring the right balance of sex ratio in India is also one way to combat child trafficking.

Forced marriages and increase in polygamy

Another oppressive consequence of a low sex ratio is the fact that many widows are forcibly married off to fulfil familial responsibilities in areas where finding a bride has become a difficult task. Further girls as young as 9 or 10 are married off in the hopes that they may be the carriers of the line once they hit puberty.
Due to a low sex ratio, the instances of polygamy too have increased over the years to ensure that every male can produce his offspring even with a reduction in the ratio of the fairer sex.
Technological advancements have also made sex determination easy, leading to more fatal consequences.
By educating people about saving girls to ensure a balanced sex ratio in India, we can create a more accepting and healthier environment for girls to be born in.