By Ashish Kumar Mandal, janakpurdham, Nepal
The power dynamic between males and females in Nepali society has long been a subject of intense debate. Despite constitutional guarantees of gender equality, rising literacy rates, and the undeniable influx of modern values, the core societal consciousness remains stubbornly resistant to change. In recent decades, a alarming socio-demographic reality has emerged: the proportion of females in the population—particularly the sex ratio at birth—is steadily declining. The root cause of this imbalance is neither an external factor nor technology itself, but rather the deeply ingrained patriarchal mindset that insists on the necessity of having a son.
Embedded within our cultural and social fabric is a profound bias that views a son as the continuation of the family lineage, a symbol of social prestige, and the ultimate safety net for aging parents. Conversely, daughters are frequently perceived as transitory family members—often referred to as “another’s property”—who will eventually leave after marriage. This cultural paradigm fosters a belief that a family remains incomplete without a male child, creating immense pressure on couples to produce a son regardless of the consequences. This persistent social imperative serves as the primary catalyst behind the declining birth rate of girls.
These cultural biases are further reinforced by traditional religious beliefs. Deep-rooted orthodox norms dictate that only a son can perform final rites, light the funeral pyre, and offer ritual oblations to ensure the salvation of a parent’s soul. Although progressive shifts have begun to acknowledge that daughters are equally capable of performing these final duties, widespread social acceptance remains limited. Bound by these religious constructs, families often feel spiritually compelled to prioritize male offspring.
This mindset, combined with modern medical advances and the widespread adoption of the small family norm, has escalated the problem into a systemic crisis. In the past, larger family sizes increased the statistical likelihood of having at least one son. Today, as urban and rural families alike increasingly limit themselves to one or two children, the desire for a male child becomes far more intense. It is at this juncture that medical technology is weaponized: ultrasound technology is exploited for sex determination, routinely followed by illegal sex-selective abortions when the fetus is female. Despite strict legal prohibitions and statutory penalties, these illicit practices persist under the radar.
Compounding this crisis are tangible economic and practical pressures. The financial burdens of lavish weddings, the persistent scourge of the dowry system, and heightened concerns over women’s safety create an environment where raising a daughter is viewed through a lens of economic strain and vulnerability. The reductive economic view that investing in a daughter is akin to “watering a neighbor’s garden” undermines the enthusiasm for welcoming female children into the family.
Furthermore, the growing trend of youth migration—both internal urban movement and foreign employment—has intensified this social dynamic. As young people leave rural areas, elderly parents face increasing isolation and insecurity. In this context, the traditional assumption that a son will remain behind to manage family land, maintain property, and provide direct elder care reinforces the demand for male children.
The resulting deficit of female births extends far beyond a simple demographic statistic; it threatens to destabilize the social structure itself. A severe skew in the male-to-female ratio leads to a shortage of marriage partners, which in turn elevates the risk of social instability, gender-based violence, forced marriages, coerced pregnancies, and human trafficking. For women, the incessant pressure to bear sons and the physical toll of repeated sex-selective procedures result in severe reproductive health complications, psychological trauma, and long-term familial distress.
Addressing this issue effectively requires moving beyond legislative measures and public declarations toward genuine structural and behavioral change. A foundational shift in consciousness must begin within families and communities to recognize that daughters and sons possess equal value and capacity to support their parents and carry forward family legacies. Medical institutions and practitioners conducting illegal sex determination tests must face stringent regulatory oversight and severe legal accountability.
Simultaneously, empowering women requires guaranteeing equal access to education, meaningful employment, and property rights, thereby removing the perception that daughters represent a financial liability. Social and religious norms must continue to evolve so that daughters performing final rites receive full cultural validation. Crucially, as the state establishes comprehensive social security and healthcare safety nets for elderly citizens, the reliance on sons as the sole guarantee for elder care will naturally diminish.
The dwindling population of girls represents a profound challenge to human rights, social cohesion, and demographic balance. The obsessive preference for sons is not a biological necessity, but a product of inequitable social constructs. Until society creates an environment where daughters are afforded equal dignity, security, and opportunity from birth, the ideal of a balanced and just society will remain out of reach. Safeguarding the rights and presence of female children is fundamentally an investment in the sustainability of our shared future.
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