The female child sex ratio in the 0-6 age group in 19 mandals of Krishna district is lower than district average of 953 and even lower than the State average of 940. According to Census 2011, the lowest female sex ratio of a mandal is in Reddigudem, where the ratio stands at 875 for every 1,000 males.
The demographic pattern of Reddigudem, which has a total population of 46,230, reveals that population of girls in the 0-6 age group is 1,992 while number of boys is 2,277.
“The decreasing sex ratio in the age group is alarming. Apart from this pocket, the sex ratio has also been dipping in Gudlavelleru (904), G. Konduru (907), and Koduru (908),” Krishna District Health Educator K. Jonathan told
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Above all, the most disturbing trend is that there is a fall in the female sex ratio from 963 in 2001 to 953 in 2011 in the district. Maintaining the district’s highest female sex ratio of 1010 and 1000 are Kankipadu and Vuvvuru mandals respectively.
These two agrarian pockets are known for their lowest female foeticide rate. Despite the decline in Child Sex ratio, the State average is better than the national average of 919.
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The State also fares better in child sex ratio in urban and rural areas, as compared to the national average.
In rural areas, it is 941 against the national average of 923, and in urban areas 935 against national ratio of 905.
Some of the rural mandals also have a higher female sex ratio than 951 of Vijayawada city.
Despite several socio and economic reasons which are responsible for discrimination against the girl child, the District Medical and Health authorities have come up with special measures in curbing the practice of determination of gender in the womb.
“Special investigation teams are engaged in nabbing the violators of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994.
We will intensify our investigation to avoid gender determination in clinics with the support of pregnant women,” said Mr. Jonathan.
He added that plans were afoot to cancel the licence of six mobile clinic centres which were accorded permission in the district to avoid female foeticide cases.