Following the key initiatives taken by Kanniyakumari district administration, the number of females per 1,000 males has reached 989.4 between April and October in the district, while the number stood at 958.5 females per 1,000 males during corresponding period last year.
According to the data provided by the health department, the sex ratio at birth in the district was 973.9 in the financial year 2023-2024 and 960.5 in 2024-2025. However, between April and October this year, the district has achieved 989.4, a figure expected to improve the overall sex ratio for the current fiscal year 2025-2026.
Gender biased practices such as selective abortion, social pressure for a male child and the misuse of technologies for sex determination remain some of the major factors affecting sex ratio at birth.
Although Kanniyakumari district being one of the most literate districts in Tamil Nadu, the district still struggles to cross the benchmark of 1,000 females per 1,000 males. To achieve this target, the district administration, in partnership with the health and social welfare department are taking several measures, including the regular monitoring of pregnancy registration at Primary Health Centres (PHC), Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHC) and door-door inspection by Village Health Nurses (VHN), analysing the time gap between two pregnancies and others.
Speaking to The Hindu, Kanniyakumari district Collector R. Alagumeena said that sex ratio at birth is lower in Thovalai and Kurunthancode blocks, compared to other areas of the district.
She added, “Especially in some villages in Thovalai block special attention is being given due to continuous decrease in the number of female children born per thousand male children. Instructions have been given to analyse the causes of abortion and strict orders have been given to scan centres across the district to not reveal sex of the foetus during pregnancy.”
Highlighting that most of the gender selective abortion occurs during the second pregnancy, Ms. Alagumeena noted instructions were given to PHC staff and VHN’s have been instructed to monitor women delaying pregnancy registration.
Stressing that the district should achieve more than 1,000 females per 1,000 males, she added that continuous awareness programmes and review meetings are being conducted. Block medical officers and PHC staff are actively engaged in the regular monitoring and inspection, she noted.
Published – November 20, 2025 08:28 pm IST
