VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam will have to face with an astonishing redundancy of 2.3 to 4.3 million men unable to find wives because of gender imbalance at birth.

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Speaking recently in HCM City, Nguyen Van Tan, Deputy Chief of the General Office for Population and Family Planning, said that if the current situation does not change, in 30 years Vietnam will face the worst scenario in which the difference in sex ratio will be over 10%.

The imbalance stems from the fact that many Vietnamese people still favor sons over daughters.

According to the latest statistics from the General Department of Population, the sex ratio at birth in the country is high, with 112.8 boys/100 girls.

There is evidence in Vietnam showing that gender imbalance at birth is principally attributable to the selection of fetal gender and valuing men above women, rooted in cultural notions.

These longstanding misconceptions have created great pressure on women who must have at least a male child, which adversely affects their economic and social status, reproductive and sexual life and survival.

Sex ratio at birth imbalance will also impact the structure of Vietnam's population in the future, leading to excess of males in the society.

The long- term consequences are serious as the lack of women will increase pressure on girls to marry earlier or quit school for marriage. Additionally, there might be increases in prostitution and trafficking of women.

A score of measures have been carried out in Vietnam with a view to alleviating the increasing sex ratio by raising public awareness and strengthening law enforcement pertaining to prohibition of fetal sex selection.

However, it is imperative to intensify inter-agency coordination mechanisms and the participation of social organizations and maximize efforts to resolve discrimination against women and girls which are the main causes of sex selection before birth.

More efforts should be made to change people's perceptions of male preferenceand fetal sex-selective behavior, particularly the notions of men and boys.

Compiled by Thu Ly