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Unconscionable practice

Jan 06,2018 - Last updated at Jan 06,2018

It is unconscionable that Jordan is still among the few remaining countries that turn a blind eye to sex selection. 

The Sisterhood Is Global Institute in Jordan, a non-governmental and non-profit organisation which aims to promote and protect women’s rights, has recently disclosed that this phenomenon unfortunately still exists in Jordan albeit on a small scale. 

The institute findings were based on the 2015 population census in Jordan that the gender ratio at birth stood at 105 for boys against 100 for girls. 

The institute also found that the number of boys under the age of five is more than girls for the same age group by 5 per cent. For the 10-14 year olds, the institute found that the ratio is 106.1, 106.7 among 15-19 age group and 108 among 20-24 bracket. 

Jordan, of all places with its model human rights record and its advanced legislation and practices on gender equality, was not expected to have its otherwise good human rights image tarnished by these critical disclosures. That is not what Jordan is all about! 

The sex selection practice in Jordan is attributed to the absence of strong legislation against it. The draft law on the issue dates back to 2009, but it never saw the light of day as Parliament seems to believe that the issue is not a high priority subject. 

To be sure, there are 22 fertility centres in Jordan of which 13 have the necessary technology to assist parents to choose the sex of their children. This must stop and stop now to avoid leaving Jordan among the few countries that tolerates sex selection.  

 

Parliament should put the issue on its agenda for priority consideration and the government needs to take the initiative in doing so. Otherwise, Jordan's promising human rights record stands to suffer before international human rights fora including the UN Human Rights Council and the various international treaty committees, among them the one on the rights of the child.

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