UNFPA First Agency to Campaign against Sex Selection in China

The results of the 1990 census in China showed that the country’s sex ratio at birth (SRB) was 111.3 boys to 100 girls, which caused concern amongst national researchers and UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. From1991, after the 1990 census results became available, UNFPA became the very first international agency to raise the issue of sex ratio imbalance in China, which was considered a taboo among Government officials at that time. The Fund took the initiative to break the silence and talk first to Chinese academics to sensitize them and gain their support in taking the issue further up to senior Government officials. UNFPA later took up the matter directly with officials of the then-National Family Planning Commission. It has continued its advocacy with partners ever since.