During the National Assembly Standing Committee session on 8/10, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan presented the draft Population Law. She stated that the national birth rate is declining below replacement level, the birth sex ratio imbalance remains high compared to the natural equilibrium threshold, and population quality does not meet current requirements.

This situation stems from several factors. Communication and awareness-raising efforts have been limited, and many areas are still heavily influenced by gender stereotypes. Furthermore, the Population Ordinance 2003 is no longer relevant to current realities and is not synchronized with the existing legal system.

To address these issues, the draft Law introduces new provisions. It encourages community conventions and agreements that aim to prevent fetal sex selection. The draft prohibits fetal sex selection in all forms, except when medically necessary. It also forbids forced, encouraged, or advised abortions based on sex, and prohibits discrimination in reproductive healthcare.

The Ministry of Health reported that Vietnam's birth sex ratio imbalance emerged in 2006 and has since remained above 112 boys per 100 girls, significantly higher than the natural equilibrium threshold of 104-106. If left unaddressed, this imbalance could lead to a gender disparity in the marriageable age group, making it difficult for many men to marry and causing long-term social consequences.

Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan. Photo: National Assembly Portal

The Standing Committee on Legal Affairs noted that the current Law on Medical Examination and Treatment does not stipulate a form of practice suspension for revealing fetal sex. The committee proposed a thorough review to ensure consistency across laws. It also suggested that the draft law expand the scope of penalties to include all actions influencing sex selection, not just the disclosure of information.

Policies to boost birth rates

In addition to policies controlling sex selection, the draft Population Law proposes solutions to boost birth rates. It empowers couples and individuals to make decisions regarding the timing and spacing of births, aligning with their health conditions and income.

Specific incentives are included to encourage childbirth. Women who have two children in industrial parks, export processing zones, and localities with low birth rates will receive support for renting or buying social housing. Female workers will receive six months of maternity leave before and after birth. For twins or more, starting from the second child, an additional one month of leave will be granted for each child. Male workers whose wives have twins or a second child will receive 10 working days of leave. For triplets or more, an additional three days of leave will be granted for each child starting from the third.

Phan Van Mai, Chairman of the Economic-Financial Committee, supported the draft's major policy groups but suggested further research into superior policies to raise birth rates in large cities like Ha Noi and TP HCM, where living conditions are good but birth rates are low. He also advocated for encouraging pre-marital health check-ups, proposing to make them mandatory and only allowing marriage registration after their completion.

According to the plan, the government will submit the Population Law to the National Assembly for consideration and approval at its 10th session, which opens on 20/10.

Son Ha