“Latest SRS report indicated that the Gender Gap has witnessed a two-point decrease in 2020 compared to a five-point gap in 2015”

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya convened the 29th meeting of the Central Supervisory Board (CSB) on October 18, 2023, marking a crucial occasion to reiterate the nation's commitment to addressing gender discrimination against girls and women. The primary concern discussed at the meeting was the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) in the country, indicative of the ongoing battle against sex-based discrimination leading to sex selection/ determination followed by pre-birth elimination.

Addressing the gathering, the Union Health Minister expressed optimism about the nation's journey towards gender equality. Citing the latest Sample Registration Survey (SRS) report of 2020, the Minister announced significant progress in the SRB. “The data revealed a commendable three-point improvement from 904 in 2017-19 to 907 in 2018-20. Importantly, 12 out of 22 surveyed states have demonstrated improvement, underlining the combined efforts of the states in implementing the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994 (PC&PNDT Act) and the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme”, he stated.