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In five successive years (2001-2005), the gender ratio of the newborns in Binh Dinh exceeded the allowed limit. In the first half of 2007 the ratio of boys to girl was 126 to every 100. The birth gender inequality has reached an alarming level.
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Birth gender inequality will cause immeasurable consequences. Photo: Children at the Hoa My kindergarten (Tuy Phuoc district). Photo La Anh
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Birth gender inequality
Many families still want, due to the traditions of male chauvinism, male newborns to maintain the continuity of the family line. Particularly, in rural and coastal areas, the need for men to work in combination with the development of medicine have made the higher numbers of boys being born than girls, according to Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Diem, vice dean of Binh Dinh Committee of Population, Family and Children.
We had a survey at the Binh Dinh GeneralHospital’s labor ward. The results showed that most of mothers-to-be want male newborns for the first time. The mother-to-be, Nguyen Thi Hong, for example, says: “My husband is the only child, so his family want me to give the birth of a son.”
Currently, many private clinics make the gender diagnosis when the embryo is only 2-3 months, which causes the abortion. This violates the population ordinance. Therefore, alongside the propaganda, functional bodies need to have positive moves in the management of private clinics, according to Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Diem. |
It is the traditions that become a burden on many couples. At Quy Nhon city GeneralHospital , the number of boys being born is higher than girls. “With advances in the medicine, it’s easier for couples to decide the gender for their future newborns, so most of them intentionally give the birth of male newborns,” said doctor Nguyen Thi Thu, dean of the labor ward.
According to the statistics in the first half of 2007, over 1,000 boys and 800 girls were born at the Binh Dinh General Hospital’s labor ward; meanwhile, in Quy Nhon city General Hospital there were 751 male and 757 female newborns in 2006, but in the first six months of 2007 the number of girls born is 286 and 342 are boys.
* Obstacle for social development
“The birth gender inequality becomes not only the obstacle for the structure and quality of the population but also insecurity for the society in 10-20 years,” said Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Diem. The gender ratio is not stable, which can result in social evils, badly affecting the sustainable development. In China, for example, the birth gender inequality has caused the exploitation of labor force or the purchasing of women.
In reality, it’s women that play the key role in many fields. The birth gender inequality can seriously affect the reality, and, as a result, women will continue playing as the “reproductive machine” in the family.
* Men is required
From 2000 to 2005 the ratio in Binh Dinh is 106/100, 109/100, 107/100, 107/100, 110/100, and 112/100 respectively. In the first half of 2007, the number of newborns is 8,450, including 4,713 boys and 3,737 girls, accounting for 126/100. |
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Diem admitted that the propaganda hasn’t been done well so that the people could realize the birth gender equality ensured the sustainable development for the society.
It’s the wish for sons that causes the death for many women during the pregnancy. The participation and share of men plays an important role in creating the difference in the women’s life. The society will be advanced if men prevent early marriages, supporting the girls’ study and the reproductive healthcare. When the birth gender equality is established, the abortion will decrease.
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Written by Hien – Phuong
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Translated by Hong Quang
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