Gender stereotypes increase the rate of gender imbalance at birth.

Alarming situation

Statistical table of ratesgender imbalance at birthHung Nguyen district in 2021 has many worrying numbers when many localities across the district have a quite serious difference between the number of boys and girls born in a year. For example, in the town, in the year there were 117 babies born but there were 77 boys and only 40 girls, the gender imbalance ratio at birth is 192 boys/100 girls.

Similarly, many other localities have very high rates such as Hung Yen Bac commune with 206 boys/100 girls, Long Xa with 133 boys/100 girls, Hung Phuc with 132 boys/100 girls and Hung Thanh with 192 boys/100 girls.

Many classes today have a higher ratio of male students than female students. Photo: MH

Regarding this, Ms. Tran Thi Bich Quyen - Population Officer of Hung Thanh Commune added: In 2021, the birth rate of the third child or more in Hung Thanh Commune increased dramatically at a rate of 24% and these were all cases of wanting to give birth to a boy. That caused the number of boys born in the year to increase. In addition, for the past 2 years, due to the impact of the epidemic, the propaganda, mobilization and implementation of population programs in the area have been interrupted. This also greatly affected population activities.

Across the districtHung Nguyen, the gender imbalance rate at birth is also very high with 924 males/684 females (ratio 135 boys/100 girls), more than double the general rate of the whole province.

“The gender imbalance at birth has been going on for many years in the district and one of the main reasons is the increase in third child births, as many people want to have a son to continue the family line. Having a son now seems to be easier thanks to modern medicine and many well-off families, using many different methods to be able to have children as desired.”

Ms. Cao Thi Nhung - Head of Population and Communication Department (Hung Nguyen District Medical Center) said

In Vinh city, over the past 2 years, population activities have also encountered many difficulties after the reorganization of the working apparatus. In addition, the population collaborator team in the blocks and hamlets has many fluctuations and only 123/324 blocks and hamlets have collaborators, so the propaganda, mobilization and implementation of the program have encountered many obstacles and confusion.

The rate of gender imbalance at birth in Nghe An is high compared to the rest of the country. Photo: PV

This is also the reason why the third child birth rate in the city is still high and the gender imbalance rate at birth is also abnormal with 120.7 boys/100 girls. Among these, there are many localities with high gender imbalance rates such as Hung Dong, Le Loi, Ben Thuy, Doi Cung, Hung Chinh, Quang Trung.

According to Ms. Phung Thi Thanh - Head of Population and Communication Department (Vinh City Medical Center), propaganda and mobilization of families not to have a third child or more in Vinh City is increasingly difficult because the focus is on well-off families and they have many ways to have a son or as desired...

Eliminate male prejudice

Implementing the Project to control gender imbalance at birth, in recent years,Department of Population and Family PlanningThe province has coordinated with relevant departments, branches, sectors, organizations and the Steering Committee for Population and Family Planning in localities to promote communication activities to provide information to Party leaders; authorities; village and group officials; and prestigious people in the community about the gender imbalance at birth in the country and the province and the causes and consequences of this situation.

In addition, hundreds of thematic talks, mobile communications, small group communications in residential communities, and leaflets with innovative content were organized, emphasizing the ethical issues of gender selection.

The ratio of men to women will lead to many consequences in the future. Photo: MH

The sector also expanded communication to the elderly, working-age men in the community and workers in the province's industrial zones about the consequences of gender imbalance at birth. In addition, it advised the Department of Health to establish an interdisciplinary inspection team to inspect the implementation of regulations on prohibiting fetal sex selection; management and use of contraceptives; implementation of regulations and guidelines on prenatal and newborn screening at medical facilities...

However, the gender imbalance at birth in the whole province is still on the rise. Accordingly, if in 2016 the ratio was 112 boys/100 girls, by 2020 the ratio was 114.48 boys/100 girls and by the end of 2021 it was 116.78 boys/100 girls.

Not only Nghe An but also many other provinces and cities across the country have an increasing gender imbalance. This has many different reasons such as customs, habits and pressure on small family size, so many couples still have the idea of ​​having children as they wish and must have a son to continue the family line. Meanwhile, the budget for the Health - Population Target Program is increasingly limited, significantly affecting the continuity and effectiveness of communication activities.

Although inspection and examination work has been strengthened, many violations of fetal sex selection have not been discovered. The inspection process also faces many difficulties because these activities are covered up by legal medical services, expressed only by words, without evidence in administrative and legal procedures and the penalties are still light.

Mr. Nguyen Ba Tan - Head of the Department of Population and Family Planning

Propaganda about population policy for people in Do Luong district. Photo: MH

While there are still many difficulties in curbing the gender imbalance at birth, the consequences of this situation seem to have been predicted. Recently, at the discussion "Controlling gender imbalance at birth based on gender bias" organized by the General Department of Population (Ministry of Health), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Norwegian Embassy, ​​many opinions also expressed concerns and worries.

Mr. Pham Vu Hoang - Deputy Director General of the General Department of Population and Family Planning (Ministry of Health) emphasized: "If the gender imbalance at birth in Vietnam continues and is not controlled, it can lead to unpredictable consequences in terms of society, economy, and even political security... affecting the sustainable development of the country. This is also one of the major challenges of Vietnam's population work".

The representative of the General Department of Population and Family Planning also pointed out the current situation of "female crisis" in countries such as China and India. In Vietnam, this risk can recur and it is predicted that if the sex ratio at birth remains as it is at present and is not controlled, Vietnam will have a surplus of 1.5 million men by 2034 and increase to 2.5 million men by 2059.

To address the issue of gender imbalance at birth, Vietnam has been improving its legal policies on gender equality and the gap in gender imbalance at birth. The Vietnamese Government has also had intervention solutions, in which, since 2016, the Government has issued a Decision approving the Project on controlling gender imbalance at birth, period 2016 - 2025, with the goal of effectively controlling the increase in the sex ratio at birth to gradually bring the sex ratio at birth back to its natural balance.

However, in addition to the solutions being implemented, to address the issue of gender imbalance at birth based on gender stereotypes in Vietnam, it is necessary to further promote gender equality, identify the role of men in the family and social environment, and improve the status of women and girls.