Controlling gender imbalance at birth

Decisive in leadership

Immediately after the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 468/QD-TTg (2016) approving the Project on Controlling Gender Imbalance at Birth for the period 2016 - 2025, the People's Committee of Khanh Hoa province issued a plan assigning the Department of Health to take the lead, coordinate with departments, branches, organizations and local authorities to organize the implementation. Branches and levels from the province to the grassroots level have issued many directive documents and action plans; actively integrating the content of controlling gender imbalance at birth into professional activities, movements and campaigns at agencies, units and localities, creating a widespread impact, affecting many subjects in society.

Doctors from Khanh Son Regional Medical Center advise pregnant women on maternity health care at home.

Mr. Phan Van Giap - Deputy Head of the Provincial Population Department said that in order to effectively implement the project, communication work is focused. The province has organized hundreds of communication sessions, seminars, training sessions, competitions, and talks on gender imbalance at birth and gender equality. In the period of 2016 - 2025, more than 21,000 people participated in communication events; 15,500 direct consultations at health stations; nearly 47,000 households had access to information on the spot. Messages such as: "Let childbirth be natural", "Daughters can also be successful, bringing happiness to the family" were promoted through leaflets, billboards, loudspeakers, newspapers, and social networks. The drawing contest " The world of girls" and the contest "Girls are wonderful" created a ripple effect, affirming the role and value of women and girls in society.

With determination in directing and organizing implementation, the sex ratio at birth in Khanh Hoa over the past 10 years has achieved many positive results. In 2016, the sex ratio at birth was 124.4 boys/100 girls, then by 2020 it decreased to 109.4; it is expected to reach a natural balance after 2025. People's awareness of sex imbalance at birth is increasingly improved. 95% of people surveyed understand the consequences of sex imbalance at birth and know that choosing the sex of the fetus is a violation of the law. More than 95% of couples of childbearing age understand the consequences of prolonged gender imbalance on marriage and society. In particular, medical facilities providing ultrasound and abortion services have committed not to disclose the sex of the fetus and not to assist in sex selection.

Towards natural balance by 2030

According to Mr. Giap, the province has identified the task of controlling gender imbalance at birth as a long-term task; striving to have a sex ratio at birth below 109 boys/100 live birth girls by 2030. In the next phase, the provincial health sector will continue to coordinate with localities, sectors and relevant units to promote communication work; strengthen inspection and handling of acts of fetal sex selection, especially in the private health sector; integrate gender equality education into school curricula and mass activities to change the awareness of the younger generation; train and improve counseling and communication skills for population collaborators to promote effectiveness at the grassroots level.

Controlling the gender imbalance at birth is important for population quality, so it requires the participation of both the political system and the people. In particular, it is necessary to have social security policies for the elderly to gradually eliminate the idea of having no sons to rely on; encourage gender equality, improve the status of women and girls, support families who only have daughters to reduce the pressure of gender selection; support families and individuals to properly implement population policy regulations... Thereby, controlling the gender imbalance at birth well, contributing to building a sustainable society.

C.DAN

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/xa-hoi/y-te-suc-khoe/202509/kiem-soat-mat-can-bang-gioi-tinh-khi-sinh-98924ea/