GS1 — Population

WOMEN

Demographic Transition and changes in Women’s Lives

India’s Demographic Transition

Data —

India’s population grew from 350 million at Independence to 1.4 billion now.

Total Fertility rate fell from 5.7 in 1950 to 2.1 in 2019.

Factors that fuelled population growth in India

1. Receding starvation.
2. Improved public health.
3. Medical services increased.
4. Rapid decline in Mortality.

Transformation of Women’s lives due to demographic transition

Impact of women’s childhood

a) Families now prefer fewer children that lead to

→ Sex-selective abortion

→ Neglect of sick girls

→ Data : Number of girls per 100 boys under five dropped from 96 to 91 between 1950 and 2019.

Impact during Adulthood

a) Declined fertility rate created space for women’s education and employment.

| → Data : Over 70% of girls enrolled in senior secondary.

However, early marriage and childbearing still persists in society lead women to unskilled employment or dropout from schools and colleges.

That is lower fertility rate does not translate into higher labour force participation for women.

Effects at older age

a) Data : According to 2011 census, about 65% of women above age 65 are widow compared to only 18% men.

b) Lack of access to saving and property results in dependence on children, mainly sons.

c) Hence creating a vicious cycle for son preference

Way Forward

1. Break the cycle for gendered disadvantage : Enhance women’s access to employment and assets, to reduce their reliance on son.
2. Reduce early marriage and child bearing : Improve women’s labour force participation by providing safe and affordable childcare.
3. Self-Help group can be harnessed to set up childcare centres in Urban and Rural areas.

Women’s reproductive autonomy as the new catchment

Reproductive autonomy is at the core of India’s template for women-led development. By unlocking the full potential of women and girls, we can galvanise the half leadership, ideas and innovation and creativity available to societies.

Women’s Empowerment and Growth

In Aging Societies — Achieving gender parity in the workforce is the most effective way to improve output and income growth.

In Growing Population — Women’s empowerment through women’s education and employment can help in family planning and inclusive economic development.

Impact of Indian’s Government Health, Population and Development programme

1. Life expectancy at birth significantly increased.
2. Maternal health is improved -> Maternal mortality is reduced to 97 from 254 in 2004(Data).
3. Number of child marriage is reduced.
4. Teen pregnancies and early childbearing has been reduced.
5. Access to vital resources like health, food, nutrition, clean water, education and clean sanitation has improved.

ISSUES(Data)

1. Just 10% of Indian women take decisions about their health.
2. 11% women believe that marital rape is acceptable if women refuses to have sex with husband.
3. Nearly half of the pregnancies in India are unplanned.
4. Un-spaced pregnancies and early child bearing have detrimental impact on new-born baby, maternal mortality, morbidity and health-care expenditure.

Way Forward

1. Focus on improving gender parity and equality — centred growth, rights and choices.
2. Women should be allowed to take their own decisions.
3. Make investment in women’s life at every stage, from childbirth to adolescence to maturity.
4. Formulate legislations and policies that empower women.
5. Timely, quality and affordable access to health and family planning.
6. Shift focus away from the notion of ‘Population stabilisation to Population Dynamism’ based on reproductive choices people make.