The baby was born at Tu Du Hospital (HCMC). Photo: BVCC.
The Ministry of Health has proposed raising the administrative fine for the act of choosing the sex of a fetus from 30 million VND to a maximum of 100 million VND. This proposal aims to help reduce the number of boys being born over girls and has been included in the draft Population Law, which is currently open for public comment until June 12.
Millions of men at risk of being "single"
The latest statistics show that in 2024, for every 100 girls born, there will be 111.4 boys, far exceeding the natural balance (about 106 boys/100 girls). With this ratio, Vietnam is expected to have a surplus of 1.5 million men by 2034 and will increase to 2.3 million in the following years. By 2050, there will be at least 2.3 million and at most 4.3 million men who are unable to marry.
The General Statistics Office said that this situation is mainly concentrated in the northern provinces, especially the Red River Delta. Of the 11 provinces in this region, 10 have a sex ratio at birth above 110. Notably, Bac Ninh and Vinh Phuc have 118.5; Hanoi 118.1; Hung Yen 116.7.
Some provinces in the Northern Midlands and Mountains also recorded high rates such as Bac Giang (116.3), Son La (115), Lang Son (114.5) and Phu Tho (113.6).
Meanwhile, the southern provinces maintain a sex ratio close to the natural balance, ranging from 105 to 108.
According to the Ministry of Health, choosing the sex of the fetus is one of the main causes of gender imbalance at birth - a demographic issue that has left many long-term consequences.
Meanwhile, Vietnamese law strictly prohibits any act of choosing the sex of a fetus and has strict regulations for penalties for violations. Currently, the maximum fine for this act is 30 million VND. However, the Ministry of Health believes that this level is not enough of a deterrent. Therefore, the Ministry of Health proposed to increase it to 100 million VND.
In addition to increasing fines, the Ministry of Health also proposed periodically publicizing the list of localities with gender imbalances at different levels. At the same time, it is necessary to step up propaganda and education to change awareness, enhance the role and status of women, and eliminate gender stereotypes and discrimination against girls.
Vietnamese law strictly prohibits any act of choosing the sex of a fetus and has strict penalties for violations. Photo: Hanoi Obstetrics Hospital.
Heavy fines are necessary
Talking to Tri Thuc - Znews about this issue, Dr. Nguyen Huu Trung, Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Branch 2, commented that this is a necessary and highly deterrent move in the context of gender imbalance in Vietnam at an alarming level.
"In fact, choosing the sex of a fetus has long been prohibited by law, but this phenomenon still occurs in some places, especially through in vitro fertilization or non-invasive prenatal diagnosis methods. These technologies allow determining the sex of the fetus very early, and if it is not as desired, some families still seek to abort the fetus," said Dr. Trung.
According to the expert, many parents, even though they already have a son, still want to have another son. This is contributing to a clear gender gap in many localities, including Ho Chi Minh City.
"Vietnam could follow in the footsteps of China, which faced a serious bride shortage and had to 'import' wives from other countries," the doctor warned.
He said the Ministry of Health's proposal to impose strong penalties was necessary, emphasizing that this was not only a legal issue but also related to population strategy and sustainable social development.
"There must be strong enough measures to restore order in reproductive health care and gender equality," said Dr. Trung.
At the launching ceremony of the National Action Month on Population in 2024, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan also said that Vietnam is facing a situation of "decreasing birth rates, excess males and shortage of females".
Vietnam's goal is to bring the sex ratio at birth back to its natural balance, below 109 boys/100 girls by 2030.
Source: https://baohatinh.vn/de-xuat-phat-100-trieu-dong-neu-phat-hien-chon-gioi-tinh-thai-nhi-post289165.html
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