Jhajjar records decade’s highest gender ratio in October

Jhajjar, once defamed for its worst sex ratio at birth (SRB), has witnessed a considerable improvement in terms of gender ratio as it recorded the SRB of 1,070 in October. It is for the first time when monthly SRB has reached this stage in a month, said Pradeep Dahiya, Deputy Commissioner (DC).

“In October, the SRB touched the figure of 1,070, which is the best in the past decade. The achievement is the result of continuous efforts of the district administration which is carrying out awareness campaigns about gender equality and taking other steps to improve the gender ratio,” he added.

Dahiya said that before it, the district had registered the highest SRB of 1,066 in February this year. The overall average SRB of Jhajjar district in the past 10 months (from January to October) is 924 while it was 905 in 2023 indicating a significant improvement in the gender ratio.

While praising the people, Anganwadi workers and other health officials for the achievement, the DC said the figure was a positive sign and it also reflected the changing mindset of society. "This time, Jhajjar will perform well in terms of yearly average SRB, too," claimed Dahiya, adding that special campaigns are being carried out in those village where the SRB is below the average.

Dr Sandeep Dalal, Nodal Officer (PNDT), said Devrakhana, Beed Sunar Wala, Bilochpura, Fatehpuri and Safipur were the villages where a considerable improvement in the gender ratio had been witnessed.