Concerns Over Female Feticide Among Indians in the UK
A UK-based charity has warned that a strong preference for sons among Indian-origin families living in England and Wales is leading to gender-based violence against female fetuses before birth. Recent data suggests that some Indian-origin parents are resorting to abortion to avoid having baby girls.
Ms. Rani Bilkhu, founder of the charity ‘Jeena International’, highlighted this concerning trend. She stated that many women supported by their organization face intense family pressure, emotional abuse, and coercion to give birth to a son. ‘In many cultures, it is believed that only a son can elevate a woman’s status in the family and validate her worth,’ she noted. ‘For many women who migrate to the UK, this mindset and familial pressure remain unchanged.’
According to other statistics and experts, the ratio of male-to-female births among Indian families in the UK is significantly higher than the national average. A subtle trend and family pressure have particularly been observed toward aborting a third child if it is female.
Sex-selective abortion is entirely illegal in England and Wales. Nevertheless, such gender discrimination and forced abortions are deeply troubling human rights activists and social workers. Rights advocates view the denial of an unborn girl’s right to life, driven by deep-seated social and cultural traditions, as a distinct form of gender-based violence.
Source: The Times.
