Technology, gender, ethics

The world was left in shock when reports emerged that between April and June 2019, not a single girl was born in 132 villages in India’s Uttarakhand state. These villages were soon infamously dubbed the ‘no-girl villages’, highlighting a grim reality of gender discrimination despite India’s stringent anti-sex selection laws. This revelation highlighted a deeply ingrained societal bias — one that continues to manifest despite legal interventions aimed at ensuring gender equality.

India is not alone in this crisis. Female foeticide and sex-selective abortions have become a widespread concern across many parts of the world, exacerbated by modern medical advancements such as ultrasonography and amniocentesis, which enable parents to determine the sex of a foetus early in pregnancy.

A 2022 report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) identified India, China, Azerbaijan and Vietnam among the countries with some of the most skewed sex ratios. In patriarchal societies, a preference for sons — combined with smaller family trends and access to sex-determination technology — has led to stark demographic imbalances, fuelling issues such as increased trafficking of women, forced marriages and social instability.

Even in developed countries like the US, concerns over sex-selective abortions are emerging. The ongoing debates around reproductive rights and bodily autonomy further complicate the discourse. Some argue that prohibiting sex-selective abortions encroaches upon a woman’s right to choose, while others believe allowing them perpetuates gender-based discrimination. This diversity of perspectives illustrates that legislative measures alone are insufficient to eradicate gender bias.

While laws serve as necessary deterrents, their enforcement remains a formidable challenge. India banned sex-selective abortions in 1994 through the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, yet female foeticide remains rampant. A 2011 study published in The Lancet estimated that up to 12 million female foetuses had been aborted in India over the previous three decades. This persistence points to a deeper societal malaise — one that cannot be addressed solely through legal frameworks. A law can dictate behaviour, but it cannot alter deep-seated cultural beliefs overnight.

While no official data is available on sex-selective abortions, cultural indicators suggest that gender discrimination remains deeply entrenched in Pakistan. Son preference, financial pressures and the growing trend of smaller families all contribute to the silent elimination of daughters. The societal mindset that views daughters as economic burdens and sons as heirs and providers continues to drive discriminatory practices.

However, sustainable change demands more than policy interventions; it requires a cultural and ethical transformation. Ethics, often scrutinised throughout history, occupy a space beyond legal constraints. They govern human behaviour in areas where the law does not reach. Something may be legal but not ethical. A society rooted in ethical values prioritises the protection of its most vulnerable members. Without ethical considerations, laws alone prove inadequate. History attests that legal rights, in the absence of ethical reinforcement, have often failed to protect women’s rights.

The role of ethics in promoting women’s rights cannot be overstated. Ethical considerations shape the moral compass of societies, influencing attitudes toward gender equality and human dignity. Ethical teachings across cultures emphasise justice, fairness, and the intrinsic worth of every individual. When communities internalise these values, discriminatory practices such as sex-selective abortions and gender-based biases become socially unacceptable. Ethical frameworks encourage empathy and social responsibility, fostering a collective commitment to upholding women’s rights not merely as a legal obligation but as a moral imperative. Educational institutions, media, and religious and cultural organisations play a vital role in embedding ethical principles that champion gender equality.

Technologies intended for medical advancement are being misused to facilitate sex-selective abortions, with moral consciousness failing to keep pace with technological advancements. When ethics do not guide the application of science, it is the vulnerable — especially women — who suffer the consequences.

Given this, national and international women’s rights organisations must recognise that while legal protections are vital, ethical considerations are equally crucial in shaping gender-equitable societies. Ethics and law must work in tandem. Women’s rights movements must align their goals with broader societal interests, emphasising that both men and women are indispensable to human survival.

Rooting out gender discrimination requires more than just legal reforms; it demands a deep ethical commitment at the grassroots level. Lasting change comes from shifting societal mindsets and fostering collective moral responsibility. Only when legal action and ethical consciousness work hand in hand can true gender equity be achieved.