While it has achieved exceptional growth in many spheres, Surat is lagging behind in terms of gender equality. As per Surat Municipal Corporation records, the sex ratio shows a dismal trend in the city.
The gap is high in the child sex ratio i.e. 0-6 age group. As per birth registration figures provided by SMC, the city is far behind the national average. In 2010, 816 girls were born against 1000 boys - the national figure was 933. In 2009, the figure for Surat was 832.
Two areas of the city have shown an alarmingly low sex ratio. According to civic records, in Varachha the figure is 762, while in Katargam it is 712.
“Even though there is a ban on sex determination tests, there are scores of clinics in the city which perform these tests. The government department and agencies concerned are turning a blind eye to this. The figures are a cause for concern for a developed city like Surat,” said Natu Patel, a city-based social activist.
Patel is fighting for the cause of the girl child for years. He claimed that even state government schemes to prevent female foeticide are not yielding results.
Overall sex ratio in the state is also not promising - 898 - in 2010. Surat and Ahmedabad have lowest female births in the state. Gujarat is in line with Punjab and Haryana in this regard.
Surat district has a better record. The sex ratio was 877 in 2009. The figures for 2010 are yet to come, but there is reportedly a very marginal decline in the average.
“There is a provision in law for imprisonment up to 27 years and fine up to Rs95,000 for those performing sex determination tests, but seldom is any doctor punished,” said Rajesh Patel, a city-based lawyer.
