Mortality, Fertility, and Gender Bias in India: A District-Level Analysis
Author(s)
Murthi, Mamta; Guio, Anne-Catherine; Dreze, Jean
Abstract
India’s child mortality rate, the total fertility rate and the relative survival chances of male and female children were analyzed based on a cross- section analysis of district-level data from a 1981 census. Although a female disadvantage in large parts of India has been documented, the social, economic and cultural factors that bring these about lacks concrete analysis. However, there is some evidence that gender bias in child survival is lower among the poor. Findings show that women’s agency and empowerment reduce mortality, fertility and gender inequality.
