Government and Policy

Tough measures called for in illegal abortions

By Cheng Anqi (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-11-17 14:39

Extreme measures should be sanctioned against illegal abortions due to fears over an imbalance in sex-ratios according to family planning advocates cited in the Beijing News.

The country's sex ratio for newborns stood at 120 boys to 100 girls this year, straying far from normal figure of 102 -107 boys to 100 girls, according to the latest figure announced by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The gender imbalance stirred attention during the 3rd National Female Village Officials Forum held in Beijing Tuesday, raising concerns about gender discrimination and the political position of women in China.

Shi Chunjing, director of propaganda and education department of National Population and Family Planning Commission of China, appealed to the government for more female political positions and severe measures against illegal abortions.

"Merely three percent of the village committee directors are female," said Hong Tianhui, vice-president of All-China Women's Federation. "It is extremely disproportionate to their role in family and farming work."