Is India a dangerous place for the girl child?
India is the most dangerous place in the world for a girl child: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, India. A look at facts and figures.
Nov 28, 2013 16:26 IST
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According to United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, India is the most dangerous place in the world for a girl child. Here's a look at facts and figures related to the issues surrounding the girl child in India.
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Upto 50 million girls and women are ‘missing' from India's population. Female foeticide has increased over the past few decades. Foeticide reported an increase of 19% over 2010.
Sources: UN statistics on the Girl Child in India and Social Statistics Division, Central Statistics Office, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India -
During the period 1991-2011, child sex ratio declined from 945 females per 1000 males to 914 females per 1000 males.
Source: Social Statistics Division, Central Statistics Office, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India -
Foeticide: The worst offenders
A total of 132 cases of foeticide were reported in 2011, of which the highest number registered from Madhya Pradesh, followed by Chattisgarh and Punjab and these States together reported 56% of the total Foeticide registered in 2011 in the country.
Source: Social Statistics Division, Central Statistics Office, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India
Picture Courtesy: Ashish Kumar (Winner, Our Girls, Our Pride Photography Contest) -
Even if she escapes foeticide, a girl child is less likely to receive immunisation, nutrition or medical treatment compared to a male child.
Every sixth girl child's death is due to gender discrimination.
Source: UN statistics on the Girl Child in India -
While one in every five adolescent boys is malnourished, one in every two girls in India is undernourished.
Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs India -
Of the 12 million girls born in India, 1 million do not see their first birthday. Death rate among girls below the age of 4 years is higher than that of boys.
One out of every 6 girls does not live to see her 15th birthday.
Source: UN statistics on the Girl Child in India -
One out of 4 girls is abused before the age of 4.
Source: UN statistics on the Girl Child in India -
53% of girls in the age group of 5 to 9 years are illiterate.
Source: UN statistics on the Girl Child in India -
Amongst married women in India today, 75% were under age at the time of their marriages.
Source: UN statistics on the Girl Child in India
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