Official: China's sex ratio lacks proportion

"China's male-female ratio at birth stood at about 120:100 in recent years and this is the highest figure worldwide. In 2009, the ratio slightly declined to 119.5, however, this figure is still very high," Shi Chunjing, vice director of the Publicity and Education Division under the National Population and Family Planning Commission, said on Nov. 16.

Shi said that the high sex ratio is widespread in all regions in China except the Tibetan Autonomous Region. Baby girls' rights to life are deprived and the female social position should be constantly improved, Shi said.

In regards to this, Shi pointed out pregnant women should be protected from the sex identification especially when they are pregnant with their second child. In addition, more efforts should be taken to strictly crack down on illegal abortions.

Xie Lihua, vice chief editor of the China Women's News, also said there should not be any sex discrimination in birth.

"The right of giving birth is a minimum standard for women and the highest standard is that women participate in government and political affairs," Xie said.

Hong Tianhui, deputy chair of the All China Women's Federation, pointed out that the proportion of women in China's village committee director roles only stands at about 3 percent and this figure is grossly disproportionate to women's role in families and agricultural production

By People's Daily Online