Cracking Down on Sex Selection in Vietnam 🇻🇳
Vietnam plans to intensify penalties for illegal sex selection to combat the growing sex birth disparity.
In a bid to curb the growing issue of sex selection during pregnancy, the health ministry has proposed a law that would hike the maximum fine for such offenses from a measly 30 million dongs (approx. $1,150 USD) to a staggering 100 million dongs (approx. $3,800 USD).
This crackdown covers a wide range of activities, including disclosing the sex of a fetus, facilitating sex-selective abortions, prescribing methods for gender selection, and coercing or persuading someone to terminate a pregnancy based on the fetus's sex.
The proposed legislation, part of the Population Bill currently open for public consultation until June 12, aims to tackle what authorities describe as a burgeoning, illegal trend.
"This hike is essential to make individuals and organizations think twice before engaging in such illegal activities," the ministry stated, as reported by state-linked media outlet VnExpress.
Вьет Nam has been battling sex selection since time immemorial, with a cultural preference for male children leading to a lopsided birth sex ratio, one of the worst in Asia. Despite a ban on all forms of sex selection, enforcement has been lax, and penalties have been deemed incapable of deterring the practice.
Under the existing laws, the maximum fine for violating the ban on sex selection stands at 30 million dongs. Given the feeble deterrent effect of this penalty, the government seeks to strengthen the legislation.
An aging population and a low fertility rate (1.91 children per woman in 2024) pose significant economic and social challenges for Vietnam, as the government grapples with addressing sex selection and balancing population growth with reducing gender imbalances.
In related news, Vietnam has recently abolished its two-child policy, introduced in 1988 to address declining birth rates. This policy shift allows couples to decide freely on their family size without legal constraints, potentially impacting the prevalence of sex selection.
- The health-and-wellness of Vietnam's future generations is at stake due to the persistent issue of sex selection during pregnancy, which has resulted in a imbalanced birth sex ratio, one of the worst in Asia.
- In response, the science behind sex selection is now under scrutiny, with the health ministry proposing a new law that aims to tighten policy-and-legislation on sex selection activities, including disclosing the sex of a fetus, coercing or persuading someone to terminate a pregnancy based on the fetus's sex, and prescribing methods for gender selection.
- This move is part of a larger mental-health initiative by the government, as addressing sex selection is not only a matter of health but also a matter of principles and values in a society that strives for equality.
- The extensive coverage of this issue in general-news outlets has brought attention to the need for stricter regulations in the face of lax enforcement and a feeble deterrent effect of the existing penalties, which currently stand at 30 million dongs.
