China with decision to discourage abortion. China’s National Health Authority has announced that it will take measures to make fertility treatment more efficient. (China to discourage abortions)
As part of the decision, child care services and ‘family friendly’ workplaces will be increased. Local governments will take initiative for this. Apart from discouraging abortion, the government will also provide support to the people through taxation, insurance, education and housing.
People will be educated on prevention of unintended pregnancy and unnecessary abortion. At the same time, China’s strict zero covid policy has reduced the number of children born during and after covid.
Techniques such as IVF are very expensive in China and difficult for unmarried women to access. With a population of 1.4 billion, China has a very low birth rate this year. The birth rate dipped below 10 million from the previous year’s estimate of 10.6 million. In 2020, it was 11.5 percent.
Read Also: Abortion cannot be denied on grounds of singleness: Supreme Court
China implemented the ‘one child’ policy from 1980 to 2015. With this decision, China is finally admitting that the population has decreased significantly. In 2016, the old decision was changed and it was decided to have two children. China has said that married couples can have up to three children in 2021.
Story Highlights: China to discourage abortions