EU allocated 750,000 euros to fight against selective abortions in Armenia

EU allocated 750,000 euros within the framework of the program “Combating Gender-Biased Sex Selection in Armenia” to fight against selective abortions that affect the sex ratio of children born in the country.

EU Ambassador Piotr Switalski said today that in a healthy society, sex ratio is 102-105 boys against 100 girls, while in Armenia the number of boys born against 100 girls is still well above 110. According to Piotr Switalski, this problem harms the international image of the country, since Armenia is mentioned as a problematic country whenever the issue of demography is discussed by international organizations.

“I learned about this problem long time ago, even before I had a slightest idea of working in Armenia,” he mentioned.

Not only the international image of the country suffers because of selective abortions, but the society as well: every year Armenia is losing more than 1400 girls, which affects the healthy balance between the genders in the society and is bad for the long-term demographic tendencies, the Ambassador mentioned.

“The EU is ready and willing to contribute to the solution of this problem,” the Ambassador said. “We believe we are doing this for a good cause, because the problem is so important.”

The problem of selective abortions cannot be solved through administrative measures, that’s why “Combating Gender-Biased Sex Selection in Armenia” is directed at raising avareness among the people of Armenia.

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