Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Female mortality in India remains a significant public health concern, despite overall improvements in life expectancy. It encompasses deaths occurring due to various causes, disproportionately affecting women across their lifespans. While India’s sex ratio at birth is skewed, the issue extends beyond birth, manifesting in higher mortality rates among women of reproductive age, maternal mortality, and increased vulnerability to certain diseases. According to the Sample Registration System (SRS) data (2020), the female mortality rate is still higher than the male mortality rate in several states, indicating persistent gender inequalities and systemic failures in healthcare access and quality. Addressing this requires a holistic understanding of the biological, social, and economic factors at play.
Biological Factors
Several biological factors contribute to female mortality, particularly during reproductive years:
- Maternal Mortality: Complications during pregnancy and childbirth, including hemorrhage, infection, obstructed labor, and pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, remain a leading cause. According to the SRS (2018-20), the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in India is 97 per 100,000 live births, though significant variations exist across states.
- Reproductive Cancers: Cervical and breast cancer are major contributors to female mortality, often diagnosed at advanced stages due to lack of screening and awareness.
- Anemia: High prevalence of anemia, particularly iron-deficiency anemia, weakens the immune system and increases vulnerability to infections and complications during pregnancy.
Socio-Economic Factors
Socio-economic factors exacerbate biological vulnerabilities:
- Poverty: Limited access to nutritious food, clean water, sanitation, and healthcare services due to poverty significantly increases mortality risk.
- Education: Lower levels of education among women are correlated with delayed access to healthcare, poor health-seeking behavior, and limited awareness about preventive measures.
- Gender Inequality: Son preference leads to neglect of female children, resulting in undernutrition and increased susceptibility to diseases. Women often have less control over their own health and reproductive choices.
- Early Marriage & Childbearing: Early marriage and subsequent early childbearing increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
Systemic Factors
Systemic failures within the healthcare system contribute significantly:
- Inadequate Healthcare Infrastructure: Shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly in rural areas, limited availability of essential medicines and equipment, and poor infrastructure hinder access to quality healthcare.
- Lack of Access to Reproductive Health Services: Limited access to family planning services, antenatal care, and skilled birth attendants contribute to maternal mortality.
- Poor Sanitation & Hygiene: Lack of access to safe sanitation and hygiene practices increases the risk of infections and diseases.
- Weak Public Health Programs: Ineffective implementation of public health programs targeting women’s health, coupled with inadequate monitoring and evaluation, limits their impact.
Regional Disparities
Female mortality rates vary significantly across states. States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh have consistently higher MMRs compared to states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu. These disparities are linked to differences in socio-economic development, healthcare infrastructure, and gender norms.
| State | MMR (per 100,000 live births) - SRS 2018-20 |
|---|---|
| Kerala | 8 |
| Tamil Nadu | 27 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 198 |
| Bihar | 149 |
Conclusion
Addressing female mortality in India requires a multi-pronged approach focusing on improving access to quality healthcare, empowering women through education and economic opportunities, and addressing deeply ingrained gender inequalities. Strengthening public health programs, investing in healthcare infrastructure, and promoting awareness about reproductive health are crucial steps. Furthermore, targeted interventions are needed to address regional disparities and ensure that all women have access to the healthcare they need to survive and thrive. A sustained commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment is essential for achieving significant and lasting improvements in female mortality rates.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.