Azeri experts concerned over demographic consequences of selective abortions

Activists of the Azerbaijani civil society are concerned over the sexual imbalance among newborns. According to experts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot", the problem arose in connection with the spread of selective abortions done in order to prevent the births of girls.

At present, in Azerbaijan, the proportion is 112 newborn boys for 100 newborn girls, while the biological standard is 105-107, reports the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan.

"The problem of selective abortions done in order to prevent the births of girls is associated with gender inequality in general. In many families, a man voices the decisive word, and in case if he believes that his wife should not give birth to a girl, she is forced to give up and go to make an abortion," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Mekhriban Zeinalova, the head of the NGO "Clean World" specializing in protecting women from domestic violence and trafficking.

According to Mekhriban Zeinalova, in addition to the ban on the legislative level of selective abortions, it is also necessary to strengthen educational activities in the appropriate direction.

The problem of selective abortions lies in the traditional mental attitude. This opinion was voiced by Tofiq Tyurkel, an observer on religious issues of the agency "Turan".

"Many men do not want to become fathers of girls or want that to a lesser degree than they want the birth of sons, since they do not treat daughters as continuers of their clans. Besides, there is a stereotype of the inequality of women and men," an expert told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

However, according to Tofiq Tyurkel, if the problem of selective abortions is not solved now, then in the near future, Azerbaijan may face serious demographic problems.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.