SWC Chairperson Raises Concerns Over Birth Gender Gap

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Friday, 31 July 2026

State Women's Commission Chairperson Nagalakshmi Choudhary visited the district hospital and the Women's Police Station in Bagalkot on July 30^th to hear grievances from women. Several women became emotional and broke down while sharing the difficulties they had been facing.

The women raised issues including domestic abuse by their husbands, unemployment and other personal challenges. They also alleged that the concerned department officials had not taken appropriate action or responded adequately to the petitions they had submitted.

Nagalakshmi after hearing the grievances patiently assured the women that each case would be placed before the concerned officials and suitable action would be taken in the legal framework to resolve their grievances.

A woman, who visited the 50 bed hospital, said that people were not provided with receipts for paying their bills and complained about poor facilities at the hospital. Nagalakshmi asked officials to investigate the allegations and take the necessary action.

Key Highlights:

• Nagalakshmi hears women's grievances, assures legal action on complaints
• Seeks DHO report over higher male birth ratio, orders scrutiny
• Flags severe staff shortage at hospital, calls for immediate recruitment

She also directed the officials to provide timely and efficient service to the women. On the occasion, Women and Child Development Department Deputy Director Prabhakar K was present.

State Women's Commission (SWC) Chairperson Nagalakshmi told reporters that she had seen a higher number of male babies being born as compared to female babies in the 50-bed hospital and would expect a report from the District Health Officer (DHO).

"The hospital records around 30 deliveries every month. More male babies have reportedly been born, whereas normally the number of female births is also expected to be significant. It needs to be examined whether there is any possibility of female foeticide," she said.

She also highlighted an acute shortage of support staff at the hospital, stating that only two Group D employees were working there, leading to sanitation problems.

"Doctors are forced to clean the operation theatre themselves due to the shortage of staff. I have discussed the issue with the departmental commissioner, who has assured that recruitment will be taken up," she said.

The imbalance in the number of male and female births at the hospital warranted closer scrutiny and stressed that the matter would be examined in accordance with the provisions of the PCPNDT Act, which prohibits sex selection and prenatal sex determination. She said the District Health Officer had been asked to submit a detailed report so that any irregularities, if found, could be addressed through appropriate legal action

Emphasising the need to strengthen public healthcare services, Nagalakshmi also called for immediate steps to address the shortage of support staff at the hospital. She said adequate manpower was essential to maintain sanitation, ensure efficient patient care and enable doctors to focus on medical responsibilities instead of non-clinical duties.