Title: [Infant girls in danger of dying]

POPLINE Document Number: 081322

Author(s):

Milwertz J

Source citation:

SYGEPLEJERSKEN, 1992 Mar 11;92(11):26.

Abstract:

A new method of predicting the gender of the unborn child has made it a practice in Bombay to abort about 40,000 female fetuses per year. In only one hospital 8000 such induced abortions have been recorded. Sex discrimination in developed countries manifests itself in the work place, wages, and access to work, but in India and other countries such discrimination is often deadly. In some Asian countries there are fewer women than men; at least 60 million women are missing from statistics. The Southeast Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) declared the 1990s the decade of the infant girls, with educational efforts geared to their survival, protection, and development. 70 state and government leaders took part in the world meeting on children in 1990. UNICEF supports the endeavor to draw attention to the plight of women. The reason for many millions of women missing in Asia is that 5-6% more boys than girls are born. Under normal circumstances mortality is higher among boys than girls in all age groups. In Denmark there are 105 women for every 100 men, but according to the 1991 Indian census there were 92.9 women for every 100 men, a decrease from 93.4 in 1981. In Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal, and Pakistan the gender ratio is similar. Both mothers and fathers are responsible, because of tradition, when it comes to choosing a girl or a boy. A large number of girls die of undernutrition and untreated diseases. They are forced to work in the household, in agriculture, or in industry twice as many hours than boys. Thus, they do not have time to go to school. The bordellos of Bangkok, Bombay, Calcutta, and Manila have a constant supply of young women for tourists from rich countries. In most cases they are forced into prostitution because of the poverty of parents. In the Indian state of Karnataka 8-10 year old daughters are rendered as temple servants who end up as prostitutes after ritual deflowering at puberty. Social engagement, political will, and education could give Asia's infant girls a chance to be on equal footing with their brothers.

Keywords:

India
Asia, Southern
Child, Female
Sex Discrimination
Abortion
Sex Ratio
Differential Mortality
Sex Workers
UNICEF
Women's Status
Female Role
Sex Preference
Asia
Developing Countries
Child
Youth
Age Factors
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Social Discrimination
Social Problems
Fertility Control, Postconception
Family Planning
Sex Distribution
Sex Factors
Mortality
Population Dynamics
Sex Behavior
Behavior
UN
International Agencies
Organizations
Socioeconomic Factors
Economic Factors
Social Behavior
Value Orientation
Psychological Factors