Hanoi casts the spotlight on gender inequality
(VOV) - In observance of International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), a rally and march were held in Hanoi on September 28 to raise awareness of gender imbalance at birth in Vietnam.
In Vietnam, gender imbalance in the sex ratio at birth increased from 106.2 boys /100 girls in 2000 to 113.8 boys/100 girls in 2013.
The trend is forecast to continue and if timely measures are not undertaken to rectifiy the situation, it is predicted that by 2050, Vietnam will have 2.3 million to 4.3 million men unable to find wives.
Arthur Erken, Chief UNFPA Representative in Vietnam said Asia now lack 117 million girls, which is the result of gender discrimination. The alarming situation will undoubtedly have more serious detrimental ramifications in the long term, he says.
He said the selection of fetal sex before birth has become popular in many Vietnamese families where women lack their independent rights in terms of finance and society and this too is contributing to increased gender imbalance at birth.
Solutions should be worked out in the context of promoting socio-economic development and human rights to ensure dignity and rights of women and children are safeguarded.
Girls or boys deserve to get equal love and have equal opportunities during their lifetime, he added.
Nguyen Quoc Cuong, Vietnam Farmers’ Association (VFA) Chairman said the association and Vietnam’s Women Union (VWU) are committed to raising awareness of its members and cadres on the importance of combating gender inequality.