Gender disparities in DK persist despite growth: Study

Though Dakshina Kannada District continues to grow in a rapid pace in almost every field and finds a place in world map, gender disparities in many forms persist in the district. 

This, in spite of all developments since Independence and multiple strategies used by the government and civil society organisations to facilitate rise in gender consciousness, promote gender equity and empower women, reveals a study conducted by Prof Rita Noronha, functioning as educator in Community Development Studies since 1971 at Roshni Nilaya, School of Social work. 

The study is titled “Emerging trends in gender equity / inequity with particular reference to women in Dakshina Kannada.”

She notes that there appears to be manifestations of increase in gender gaps and declining proportion of women compared to men in the population (sex ratio) is a cause for concern. 

Noting that there were 1,048 females per 1,000 males in Dakshina Kannada district in 1951 (which was equivalent to the sex ratio attained by developed countries such as US and Europe which is 105 females to 100 males), it dipped to 1,018 women per every men in 2011, a decline by 30 points. 

“It is clear that though the district continues to have higher presence of females even in 2011, the signs of overall decline in the absolute number of women vis-a-vis men are clearly visible,” she observes.

Decline in child sex ratio

Referring to 2011 census, Prof Noronha notes that evidence from registered births between 2005 and 2010 reveal that 5,840 female births less than male births were registered in the district (over 973 female births less than male births per year).

On the other hand, shortage of females compared to males in DK district is 5,668 in the 0-6 years - age category (as many as 945 females less than males each year over 6 years (2005-2010).

“From two sets of data, it could be concluded that anywhere between 5,700 to 6,000 females are less than males in the child population of the district over the six year period from 2005 to 2010, which means that on an average, 950 to 1,000 female children are less than males in DK district per year over the last six years.

“As child population in absolute number has been increasing over the decades, there is an alarming rise in the number of missing female children,” the study reveals. 

The declining child sex ratio in the district continues to demonstrate the emergence of a society that is less welcoming for the girl children. This is an emerging anomaly in the gender relational ethos of the district which have shown evidence of numerical preponderance of female in the population over many decades, the study revealed. 

The study found that despite of high achievements on the literacy front, gender disparity in education prevail in both the districts as per the 2011 census.

There are nearly 16 per cent women non literates in DK compared to 6.5 per cent men. The study has revealed exorbitant rise in expenditure at marriage and dowry demand and increasing presence of unmarried women and men. 

Crimes against women

Prof Rita Noronha said overall rate of reported crimes against women is showing a rising trend in Dakshina Kannada district. This could either be considered as a manifestation of higher degree of gender awareness and legal knowledge on the one hand or deterioration in the quality of gender relations on the other.

As many as 449 cases were reported in DK during the decade 2001-2010. Though the reported cases of dowry deaths are small in number (15 only) during the last one decade, cases filed under the Dowry Prohibition Act are 132. 

What is surprising is very few cases (only 36) of domestic violence have been filed in DK during the last 10 years. However, the studies undertaken by the civil society organisations and experience of activists in the region reveal that the percentage of those who suffer violence in their homes is quite high.

The study has revealed the rise in incidents of self abuse—suicides, addictions and mental illness, incidents of homicides/murders, persistence and intensification of inequalities in land and other asset ownership, marital conflicts and divorce and widening of economic disparity. 

Prof Rita Noronha said that emerging contradictions in gender relations in DK and Udupi require critical analysis from various perspectives.

Instead of blaming one another, each segment of the state and civil society has to engage in soul searching to find out how their truth claims /discourses; actions and interventions have contributed to the emerging anomalies in the society.  “We need to ensure that the progress attained so far in the area of gender equity and development is not eroded. 

We also need to address the challenges of ending both traditional and constantly emerging new forms of discrimination, exclusion and marginalisation based on gender, caste, religion and class,” she added.