Delhi's Disappearing Daughters: A Persistent Gender Gap

Women and girls dominate the list of reported missing persons in Delhi. In 2023, they accounted for 61% of the missing cases. Teenage girls were notably affected, underscoring a persistent gender imbalance over the past decade, as pointed out in the Delhi Police data.

The latest data from the Delhi Police indicate a troubling trend: women and girls are the majority of those reported missing. As of October 15, 2023, they accounted for 61% of the nearly 20,000 missing individuals, highlighting a persistent issue of gender imbalance.

The statistics reveal that among children, particularly teenagers, girls are disproportionately affected. This year, 78% of the missing teenagers were girls, sparking concern over their vulnerability. Even though a significant proportion were located, the overall data underlines a systemic issue.

A decade-long analysis reinforces this concern, showing a consistently high percentage of missing females in Delhi. The data support calls for enhanced security measures and societal interventions to address the root causes behind this worrying phenomenon.

(With inputs from agencies.)