Each Year Armenia Loses Potential Future Mothers Because of Sex Selective Abortions

UNFPA Armenia presented

the “Prevalence and Reasons of Sex Selective Abortions in Armenia” Report.

On 19 December 2011 UNFPA Armenia held a press conference where Prof. Razmik Abrahamyan, Director of Institute of Reproductive Health, Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Mr. Garik Hayrapetyan, UNFPA Armenia Assistant Representative presented the “Prevalence and Reasons of Sex Selective Abortions in Armenia” Report.

As the speakers noted, the report contained both positive and alarming findings. In particular, the majority of the surveyed women have started having children in a favorable reproductive age: from 19 to 35 years old, which is very important in terms of safe motherhood. Another extremely positive finding is that the Armenian society provides the same care to already born children irrespective of their sex.

However, as to the future children, the society prefers boys much more than girls – around six times. The study suggests that 0.8 per cent of 900,000 Armenian women of reproductive age has had a sex selective abortion in the last five years. This means that each year Armenia potentially loses around 1400 future mothers.

According to the speakers, the report is based on the findings of a quantitative survey of 2830 households in the period of July 15-August 15, 2011, as well as qualitative study of the issue.

It was prepared within the framework of “Strengthening Sexual and Reproductive Health Services” project implemented through cooperation of RA Ministry of Health, Institute of Reproductive Health, Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and UNFPA Armenia Country Office, with the support of the National Statistical Service of Armenia.

By UNFPA office in Armenia