NEW DELHI, JANUARY 04, 2005
PTI
NRIpress
Declining sex ratio and desertion of women by their NRI husbands have
emerged as two of the most serious gender issues in Punjab, according
to a new study done by the National Commission for Women (NCW).
The sex ratio in Punjab is on the decline, currently standing at 874
and the situation is worse in the 0-6 age group, where the ratio is
highly skewed at 793 against all India averages of 933 and 927, respectively,
says the report 'Gender Profile - Punjab' released here on Tuesday.
"The decline in sex ratio, when considered along with other factors
such as declining birth and death rates and a higher female life expectancy
at birth, alludes to a deep-rooted malaise which afflicts Punjabi society,"
NCW chairperson Poornima Advani said releasing the report.
She said mere legal action was not enough to eliminate the problem,
adding there was a need to go in for a holistic approach that includes
spreading awareness on such issues rather than concentrating on literacy
alone.
Among the major problems plaguing women in Punjab is the rise in the
number of women deserted by their NRI husbands.
"There is a need to make registration of marriages mandatory within
eight days of the ceremony to tackle the problem," Advani said.
On the crime front, Punjab is fast becoming a high risk state for women,
says the study, noting that not only are crimes against women increasing
at a rapid pace, but Punjab's percentage contribution to the all India
total too is increasing.