*Continuous increase in sex ratio at birth; improved by 19 points in 2019-20: confirms Aruna Chaudhary*
*Chandigarh, January 9( Wishavwarta )-Patting the back of employees of Social Security, Women and Child Development department, Cabinet Minister Mrs. Aruna Chaudhary, today said that with the concerted efforts under ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao, a continuous increase in Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) has been noticed.
Mrs. Chaudhary said that Child Sex Ratio at birth has improved by 19 points i.e. from 901/1000 in 2018-19 to 920/1000 in 2019-20 as per statistics given by HMIS of Department of Health and Family Welfare. The improvement has been noticed from 2013-14 onwards. SRB increased to 901/1000 during financial year 2018-19 from 890/1000 of financial year 2013-14.
The minister said that under this scheme, numerous activities have been performed throughout the state, with objective to improve sex ratio in the state of Punjab, which included; Celebration of National Girl Child Day, Road Shows, Marathons and Rallies under outreach activities, Wall Paintings, Distribution of Blankets along with special celebration of Lohri Festival on the Birth of Girl Child and celebration of International Women Days etc.
She said that we have felicitated the families of girl children born between January 13, 2019 to January 7, 2021 on Lohri Festival and such events will also be organized at various places throughout the state to celebrate the birth of girl child.
Mrs. Chaudhary informed that extensive media campaigns are being undertaken at village, block and district level in form of distribution of Pamphlets, painting of wall layers running of Mobile Exhibition Vans and installation of Gudda Guddi boards to map the sex ratio of the area. Also, during COVID-19, masks as well as sanitary napkins have been widely distributed in districts.
The mascot of the Department, “Sukhi Bhainji, the helpful Anganwadi worker”, regularly carries online messages of good nutrition, well-being, disease prevention and child safety, to all stakeholders.
