GUWAHATI: As per the national family health survey (NFHS) for 2019-20, the number of women has increased to 1,012 per 1,000 men in the state of Assam.
The sex ratio of the total population (females per 1,000 males) improved from 993 in NFHS 2015-16 to 1,017 in NFHS 2019-20. Assam's sex ratio at birth for children born in the last five years improved from 929 to 964.
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The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently released details of the first phase of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 (2019-20) for 17 states and five union territories.
G Plus spoke to National Health Mission (NHM) Director Dr Lakshmanan S, who credited the feat as a testimony to various departments working together. "Firstly, in our execution of policies, there is no differentiation between males and females. This has been fostered by the Assam society that has also provided the atmosphere," said Dr. Lakshmanan.
The NHM is of the belief that strict enforcement on the ban of sex determination through the PCPNDT act has contributed to the positive development. Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted to stop female foeticides and arrest the declining sex ratio in India.
The Director also emphasized that gender sensitivity has improved throughout the state. The women friendy schemes have also contributed to the cause.
