According to UNFPA's State of World Population 2020, over 140 million females worldwide have disappeared due to gender-biased sex selection (GBSS). GBSS not only results in an imbalance in sex ratio at birth (SRB) but also deprives females of their right to life, a reflection of the harsh reality of gender inequality. On the occasion of the 12th International Day of the Girl Child, the "South-South Technical Dialogue on Mitigating Son Preference and Gender-Biased Sex Selection" was convened in Beijing on October 11, 2023.  

The conference was jointly organized by CPDRC, serving as the Population and Development South-South Cooperation Centre of Excellence, and UNFPA China Office. Over 90 participants attended both online and offline, including representatives from the International Development Cooperation Agency (IDCA), the All-China Women's Federation, China Family Planning Association, domestic research institutions, Hainan Women's Federation, Changfeng County of Anhui Province (former project county under UNFPA's Gender Equality Programme), the United Nations system in China, as well as government and non-governmental organization representatives from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Vietnam. 

Deputy Director-General ZHANG Xuying of CPDRC, representing Director-General HE Dan, extended congratulations on the conference's opening and welcomed the esteemed participants. He emphasized that gender equality is a crucial dimension in understanding population development. As the country with the world's largest population and one of the highest female populations, he added, China faces the challenge of a persistently high SRB and the prevalence of son preference. Claudia Goldin, the 2023 Nobel laureate in economics and a professor at Harvard University, has long been dedicated to addressing gender inequality in the labor market. Her research provides a historical perspective and evidence for eliminating gender inequality. It is hoped that, she said, by leveraging the role of CPDRC as a South-South Cooperation Center of Excellence, efforts can be made to promote changes in societal norms related to gender inequality in developing countries, mitigating son preference and enabling women to play a more significant role in development. Ms. Justine Coulson, UNFPA Representative to China, emphasized that gender inequality, rooted in son preference and GBSS, is a fundamental issue, and that GBSS is likely to result in increased violence against women. UNFPA has consistently worked towards upholding the rights of girls globally and enhancing their empowerment, and the organization remains committed to advancing relevant research, practices, and South-South cooperation in this regard.

UNFPA has recently launched a global strategy titled "Every Girl Counts," which focuses on issues related to GBSS and the resulting skewed SRB, encompassing aspects such as data, research, legal policies, and societal norms. Upala Devi, UNFPA Regional Advisor for Gender, provided an overview of strategies and noteworthy initiatives in countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, and Vietnam. She underscored the significance of establishing new societal gender norms within diverse national contexts. Vietnam, between 2020 and 2022, implemented the "Father's Love" project, emphasizing the involvement of men and young people. This initiative aimed to promote gender equality by altering male consciousness and attitudes. In India, there has been a concerted effort to leverage the media's influence, enhancing gender sensitivity among media professionals to break gender stereotypes and foster gender equality in media portrayals. Nepal emphasized the policy-guiding role of governments at various levels in mitigating son preference and GBSS. In 2022, Bangladesh introduced national guidelines for addressing son preference and GBSS, in a determined drive to advance public awareness, refine legal regulations and medical professional guidelines, and ultimately mitigate GBSS.  

The SRB in China has shown a consistent decline, as highlighted by TANG Mengjun, a researcher at CPDRC. She pointed out this positive trend and emphasized the need to deeply understand the diverse aspects of gender preferences in reproductive decision-making in the new era, in addition to keeping a watchful eye on intergenerational relationships within families. Hainan Province, known for its high SRB in China, took proactive measures in 2022. The Women and Children's Work Committee of Hainan Provincial Government, in collaboration with various departments, issued the "Eight Measures to Gradually Eliminate the Phenomenon of 'Son Preference' in Rural Areas across the Province." Ms. CHEN Jianjiao, Chairperson of Hainan Women's Federation and Deputy Director of the Women and Children's Work Committee of Hainan Provincial Government, introduced these measures, citing their initial success in the province. YUAN Qing, the Party Branch Secretary of the Anfeitang Neighborhood Committee in Xiatang Town, Changfeng County, Hefei City, Anhui Province, shared personal experiences and insights at the conference. Using Anfeitang Community as a case study, Mr. YUAN discussed the revision of village regulations at the grassroots level to combat gender discrimination, thereby advancing gender equality practices.  

The skewed SRB is not merely a demographic phenomenon; it carries profound social and cultural implications that warrant increased attention. Professor LIU Shuang from Renmin University of China emphasized the importance of understanding this phenomenon in the context of societal and cultural changes. Importantly, he noted that this is not a uniquely Chinese issue, and countries worldwide should place emphasis on relevant institutional and cultural development. The fundamental solution to addressing the skewed SRB lies in promoting gender equality and mitigating son preference.  

The conference not only facilitated an understanding of relevant policy practices among different countries but also focused on the future demographics of the reproductive population. During the event, youth representatives from various nations shared their perceptions and viewpoints on societal gender norms. Each representative acknowledged the entrenched tradition of favoring boys over girls and gender-biased sex selection in their respective countries, expressing concerns about the prevalent gender inequalities. However, they also highlighted that societal norms and gender dynamics are evolving with the passage of time. Simultaneously, the youth representatives actively deliberated on action plans for the younger generation. Khandakar Tahmid Rezwan, the youth representative from Bangladesh, emphasized the significant role of education, digital technology, and academic research in driving changes in societal gender norms. Si jan Gelal, the youth representative from Nepal, underscored the importance of hands-on experiences and media campaigns in promoting gender equality. WU Haoying, youth representative from China, suggested that young people engaging in innovative activities at the community level, such as gender-themed exhibitions, stand-up comedy shows, and music festivals within university communities, could be more effective in conveying essential messages. Additionally, effectively leveraging social media to garner widespread attention for relevant incidents, such as using short videos to showcase the stories of rural female schools, could attract more material support and awareness, thereby contributing significantly to the dissemination and expansion of gender equality concepts. The enthusiasm and positive feedback from the youth kindled the hopeful prospect of establishing societal norms that promote gender equality in the years to come.  

Son preference and GBSS stand out as prominent manifestations of gender inequality. While gender equality is an inevitable trend in development, countries are still facing substantial challenges on this path. Collaborative efforts among nations are essential to transform unequal societal gender norms. Together, there is a shared aspiration for a society where both boys and girls can grow up equally happy and healthy.