A new study by the Indian government shows that there are nearly 63 million fewer women in the country than there should be.

These “missing” women are a result of sex-selective abortion, neglect, disease or inadequate nutrition, according to the annual economic survey. A further two million women disappear every year.

The report, which was released on Monday, said that an estimated 21 million girls are “unwanted” in India due to a cultural preference for sons. Studies show that Indian girls generally receive less education and medical care than boys, and often have poorer nutrition.

“The challenge of gender is long-standing, probably going back millennia,” wrote Arvind Subramanian, the report’s author and the chief economic adviser to the Indian government.

Subramanian said that India must “confront the societal preference for boys” if it wants to achieve a more gender-balanced population.

A ‘National Girl Child Day’ is celebrated in India every January, to try and reduce the stigma of having daughters, spread awareness of gender issues, and curb female foeticide.

The Times of India has more on this story; you can read it here.

Throughout 2018, Stylist is raising the profiles of brilliant women past and present – and empowering future generations to follow their lead – with our Visible Women campaign. See more from Visible Women here.

Women’s Daily Dispatch: The news you need to know on 30/1/2018