Vietnam's Incentives for Daughters Face Scrutiny: Experts Urge Focus on Education and Equal Opportunities

Vietnam is contemplating financial incentives for families that have two daughters, such as tuition fee exemptions, health insurance coverage, and school milk provisions. This initiative is part of the government's efforts to address the significant gender imbalance at birth, where the ratio stands at approximately 110 boys for every 100 girls, exceeding the natural rate of 104-106. However, Matt Jackson, the UNFPA Representative in Vietnam, has voiced concerns that these financial incentives alone may not be sufficient to curb the imbalance and that the policies need to target the underlying issues. A report by UNFPA and the General Statistics Office revealed that the sex ratio at birth is higher among the top 20% income quintile (112.9 boys per 100 girls) compared to the poorest quintile (108.2 boys per 100 girls). Furthermore, the survey indicated that 54% of individuals in the high-income group were aware of methods for fetal sex selection, twice the rate of the poorest group. Similarly, those with college or university education were twice as likely to select fetal sex compared to those who had only completed primary school. "Wealthy families also choose the sex of their fetus. This shows that money is not the core reason," Jackson noted. He elaborated that financial support, while necessary, is unlikely to create long-term change if implemented in isolation. He also pointed out that the declining birth rate is increasing the pressure to have sons, as fewer couples plan for more than one or two children, thus reducing the natural chances of having a son. Jackson cautioned about the potential risks associated with the policy's messaging. If not communicated carefully, the public might interpret the state as "compensating for disadvantages" for families with daughters, thereby reinforcing the notion that girls have less value. "If policies are not designed carefully, we might inadvertently perpetuate the very prejudices we are trying to eliminate," he warned. Instead of rewarding families for having daughters, Jackson proposed direct investment in the education, healthcare, and development opportunities for girls. This approach, he argued, would provide practical benefits while affirming that daughters and sons have equal value. He cited examples of countries that have successfully reversed skewed sex ratios. South Korea, for instance, saw its sex ratio at birth return to natural levels after 2005, following government efforts to expand educational and employment opportunities for women, reform inheritance laws, and abolish family registration systems that favored men. In India, the 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' program, launched in 2015, has mobilized various ministries and schools, enhancing maternal monitoring and encouraging girls' education. Data shows an increase in the number of girls per 1,000 boys and a rise in the secondary school enrollment rate for girls. Jackson concluded by stating that the common thread in South Korea and India's success is their focus on changing the social factors that drive son preference and investing more in women. "Financial support helps reduce the cost of raising children, but to reduce fetal sex selection, we need to create an environment where girls are valued and develop equally," he stated. Source: VnExpress