According to the 2017 census, Pakistan has a ratio of 48.7 women to 51 men; 0.2 percent are transgender persons. The smaller number of women compared to men is unusual in global terms given that women generally outlive men, and infant girls stand a naturally stronger chance of survival than their male counterparts. This, however, is clearly not true in Karachi. According to the Edhi centre in the city, between January 2017 and April 2018, the organisation, along with the Chhipa Welfare Organization have found 345 newborn babies dumped in garbage bins in the city; 99 percent of them were girls and some at least had been barbarically murdered.
The figures suggest just how far away we are from ensuring an equal status for girls and women even in the 21st century. Other baby girls are dumped in the cradles put up by the Edhi Foundation, though it seems many choose not to use them. The trend is seen to be common across the South Asian region. According to a study by Oxford University, the preference for bearing sons has become more strongly associated with the practice of continuing to bear children until the desired number of sons has been born. Apparently in such circumstances, families kill off the unwanted girls who come along the way. The study also finds that the trend has hindered the attempt to control population and reproduction.
Unwanted pregnancies are another factor. According to the Guttmacher Institute, around 4.2 million women in Pakistan experience unintended pregnancies. The extremely limited legality of abortion raises the risk of parents choosing female infanticide rather than raising a girl. The perception that girls are a financial burden who will not contribute to family income also adds to the desire for sons. Even though infanticide and child abandonment are both crimes under Pakistan’s Penal Code, the number of cases occurring in Karachi alone are shocking. The Edhi Foundation believes many of those killed are children born out of wedlock. In such cases, families may attempt to save a boy but rid themselves of a girl. In a case reported by the Edhi Foundation, a baby handed over to a prayer leader was stoned to death because it was illegitimate. What we are seeing is an absolutely terrifying phenomenon. It is not easy for any human, especially a parent, to slit open the throat of a helpless infant. Yet this is what has been seen even in our largest and most educated city. The rate across the country is unknown. This points to the need to do more to empower women and educate people as to the equal status of girls. It seems this is still not accepted even in the age we live in today. Medieval barbarity continues, highlighting the need for more control for women over their over reproduction rights.