Abstract

Despite major strides made in several parameters related to women and their empowerment, the culture promoting preference of sons remains undiminished. For decades, female subordination and gender discrimination have regrettably remained asimpedimentsto women’ssocial, cultural, and economic growth. Punjab, popularly known as‘Nation’s Basket’ is characterized by strong patriarchal norms and inherent gender inequalities. While the state has the most equitable model of development, it also has the lowest sex ratio. Contrary to the biological pattern, there have been a lesser number of women than men in Punjab. Punjab has been consistent in maintaining a skewed sex ratio since the first census in 1881, with a sex ratio of 844. As per census 2011, it remains at 895 with the Indian average at 943. Girl child discrimination is reflected with a Child Sex Ratio (CSR) of 846, which is taken as a consolidated reflection of mortality in the most vulnerable age group. The continuing practice of male child preference manifests as cultural neglect of the girl child and also provides social acceptability and justification to female infanticide and prenatal sex selection, both of which are crimes in India. Based on secondary sources and primary data, this paper will focus on the deeply rooted gender bias against girl children in village Kakrala. By elucidating the culture and practice of male child preference through using narratives from the field, this paper will argue for a more comprehensive and holistic approach towards ensuring gender equality that goes beyond developmental indicators and questions the challenge that still exists towards the right to life for girl children.

Keywords: Punjab, Patriarchy, Gender, Culture