National Assembly Delegate of Nghe An Delegation proposes 3 solutions to control gender imbalance at birth
It is predicted that in our country, the number of men will be 1.5 million more than women by 2034 and will increase to 2.5 million by 2059.
On the afternoon of May 29, continuing the 7th Session Program, the 15th National Assembly held discussions at Dien Hong Hall, National Assembly House.
Comrade Tran Thanh Man - Member of the Politburo, Chairman of the National Assembly chaired the discussion session. Comrade Nguyen Duc Hai - Member of the Party Central Committee, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly chaired the discussion session.
According to the program, the National Assembly will spend 1 day discussing in the hall about 3 contents: Additional assessment of the results of the implementation of the socio-economic development plan and the State budget in 2023; the implementation of the socio-economic development plan and the State budget in the first months of 2024. Results of the implementation of national goals on gender equality in 2023. Practice of thrift and anti-waste in 2023.
Speaking at the discussion on gender equality, delegate of Nghe An delegation Hoang Thi Thu Hien - Permanent Vice President of the Provincial Women's Union raised concerns about implementing the goal of gender imbalance ratio at birth.
According to the Government's report on the results of implementing national gender equality goals in 2023, Vietnam's sex ratio at birth is 112 boys/100 girls. The rate of increase in sex ratio at birth has been controlled but is not stable and is still high compared to the natural balance.
“I agree with the above assessment and in my opinion, if this situation continues, it will cause many consequences for society,” said the delegate from Nghe An, citing the actual consequences in some countries such as India, China and South Korea due to gender disparity.
For example, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the country's sex ratio at birth is 121 boys for every 100 girls. This persistent problem has resulted in 34 million more men than women.
This gives rise to social evils, including human trafficking, and Vietnam is one of the countries affected. According to the Ministry of Public Security's report on the implementation of the Law on Prevention and Combat of Human Trafficking, in the rescue and reception of victims of human trafficking abroad, 90% are sold to China; 90% of the victims are women and children; 80% are forced into marriage or sexually exploited.
According to delegate Hoang Thi Thu Hien, in Vietnam, the gender gap at birth has its own characteristics, starting from the first birth and being very high in the second, third, and fourth births, reaching 120 to 148 boys/100 girls.
“From 2000 to 2020, it is estimated that about 638,000 girls were not born. Vietnam is the country with the third highest sex ratio at birth in the region, after India and China,” delegate Hoang Thi Thu Hien worried, adding that according to the General Statistics Office, if this problem is not effectively controlled, it is predicted that Vietnam will have 1.5 million more men than women by 2034 and increase to 2.5 million by 2059.
This situation becomes more complicated when ultrasound techniques, amniotic fluid testing, and gender selection during embryo implantation are abused to intentionally eliminate baby girls.
Vietnam will face problems such as: Shortage of female workers in suitable occupations; increasing involuntary celibacy for men; single elderly people, increasing the burden on social security; breaking down traditional family structures; pressure on women to have sons, affecting physical and mental health; increasing social evils such as: sexual abuse, gender-based exploitation, abuse of women, children, human trafficking.
To control the gender imbalance at birth, Vietnam has had many early solutions, such as Resolution 21 of the 12th Party Central Committee on population work in the new situation, the Population Ordinance, the 2006 Law on Gender Equality, and the Project to control gender imbalance at birth for the 2016-2025 period.
However, assessing the implementation of solutions to control gender imbalance is difficult to achieve the set goals. Therefore, according to delegates, it is necessary to identify gender equality in a more substantial way.
“The increasing gender gap at birth is the clearest manifestation of gender inequality originating from thoughts, ideology, from the deep-rooted perception ingrained in the minds of the majority of Vietnamese people, wanting to have sons, preferring sons over daughters,” the delegate from Nghe An pointed out the fundamental cause.
To better control the gender imbalance at birth, delegate Hoang Thi Thu Hien proposed three solutions. First, supplement legal regulations to ensure the feasibility of controlling gender imbalance at birth; it is necessary to comply with legal regulations prohibiting gender determination and gender selection at birth at medical facilities.
At the same time, increase awareness and change behavior. Organize communication campaigns with clear messages that strongly impact people's emotions and perceptions. "It is necessary to condemn acts of gender discrimination, gender selection at birth and create social consensus to join hands in implementation," said the delegate.
Along with that, comply with the provisions of the Civil Code on the equal rights of daughters in succession and inheritance. Change the view that only sons are allowed to worship ancestors; build a flexible family system, reduce the custom of women "following their husbands after marriage" to suit emerging realities.
