In an effort to prevent the severe social consequences of a precariously imbalanced gender ratio, China has launched a programme to curb a widespread practice of abortiong female fetuses.

Prompted by recent statistics showing 117 newborn boys for every 100 newborn girls in China, the Government plans to utilize the country’s network of family planning clinics to promote gender equality and improve the quality of life for girls.

With the advent of new technologies, especially ultrasound scanning, it is now possible for couples to know the sex of their unborn child and, in many cases, have an abortion if it is a girl. The situation is further complicated by population policies that encourage rural couples to limit themselves to two children.

Within two decades, there will be millions of young Chinese men who will be unable to marry because of the lack of women. If a large number of young males are unable to settle down in marriage, experts warn of social problems, including higher crime rates and increased prostitution.
(Source: POPLINE, Vol. 25, September-October)