Child Sex Ratio Imbalance and Cross Regional Brides: A Gendered Paradox in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh

Dr. Bijayalaxmi Nanda; Dr. Nupur Ray; Richa Jairaj

Volume : VIII, Issue : X, October - 2019

Child Sex Ratio Imbalance and Cross Regional Brides: A Gendered Paradox in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh

Dr. Bijayalaxmi Nanda, Dr. Nupur Ray, Richa Jairaj

Abstract :

A deeply rooted cultural preference for sons has led to scarcity of girls in states such as Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and, Rajasthan. Gender–based violence, sex–selective abortions, discriminatory practices against girls and expensive dowries are common in these areas. The gender biases have deprived women of their basic rights to education, mobility, choice of partner, employment, ownership of property/land and so on. This limits their overall development and growth. Advancement in new reproductive technology has exacerbated the issue of gender biased sex selection or sex selective abortion, thus resulting in a significantly skewed sex ratio. A skewed ratio of women to men has led to ides being ‘purchased’ from economically marginalized states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal. As a result, these migrant ides are forced to negotiate with ‘new’ cultural and social situations. The paper attempts to understand the struggle, exploitation, and abuse experienced by these ‘migrant ides’ residing in three villages, namely Pipli village in Kharkhoda Tehsil of Sonipat District, Deroli Ahir village in Narnaul Tehsil of Mahendragarh District and Gurana village in Baraut Tehsil of Bahgpat district.