Situated in the north of Uttrakhand, the villages of Uttarkashi have not seen the birth of even a single girl child in the last three months. In the 132 villages, 216 babies were born but all of them were boys. This unusual situation drew the authorities and media’s attention towards this area. For now, the state government has marked all the 132 villages as the “Red-Zone” area. The local workers of ‘Accredited Social Health Activist’ (ASHA) have been deployed to look into the matter and prevent any foul play.
This alarming news from the hills has made us re-evaluate our schemes and claims about the empowerment of girl child. With all these 216 births, it's hard to believe that it's a coincidence that not a single girl child was born.
This alarming news from the hills has made us re-evaluate our schemes and claims about the empowerment of girl child. With all these 216 births, it's hard to believe that it's a coincidence that not a single girl child was born.
What does the data say?
According to the 2011 census, the total population of Uttrakhand is 10,086,292, with 5,137,773 male and 4,948,519 females. Out of this, the population of Uttarkashi is 1,61,489 females as compared to 1,68,597 males. The state government has launched many campaigns to improve this sex ratio.
The date from the 'State Health Department' shows that out of 51 deliveries in 27 villages of Dunda block, not a single girl child was born. Similarly, of all the childbirths in Bhatwari (49 childbirths in 27 villages), Naugaun (47 births in 28 villages), Mori (29 births in 20 villages), Chinyalisaur (23 births in 16 villages) and Purola block (17 births in 14 villages) did not show even a single birth of a girl child. Now, this is something which is difficult to believe.
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“It could be a coincidence and as we don't have any proof of female foeticide, we can't take any chances. So we have marked all these 132 villages under the red zone and have put local ASHA workers if the situation does not improve."
What do authorities say?
On this tough situation the DM of Uttarkashi, Ashish Chauhan said, “According to the data collected by the health department, we have discovered that out of total 216 deliveries, not a single girl child was born in 132 villages, which is suspicious and has highlighted female foeticide.” Further adding to this Chauhan said to TOI, “It could be a coincidence and as we don't have any proof of female foeticide, we can't take any chances. So we have marked all these 132 villages under the red zone and have put local ASHA workers if the situation does not improve. Moreover, we will also take legal action against the family who will be found guilty.”
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The local MLA of Uttarkashi, Gopal Rawat said, “It is shocking to have zero girl child birth in 132 villages of the district, as we have rarely heard or seen any incident of female foeticide in the hills.” Expressing his concern on this wary situation he said, “I have directed the health department to find out the real cause of such alarming figures and to take serious action to resolve it. Besides, we will also launch a massive awareness campaign to save girl child with the help of administration, NGOs and all other possible ways to reverse the trend.”
Divya Tripathi is an intern with SheThePeople.TV
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