The selective killing of women is feminicide. Immediate action must be taken to protect girls’ right to life

“The international community must therefore feel called to reflect on the urgency of establishing a universal ban on all forms of sex-selective practices, both before and after birth, and to call for action even on those laws that, by liberalizing abortion, have effectively removed sex-selective practices from any possibility of control. […] The entire international community must have a coordinated and concrete commitment to recognize what remains to be done, to ensure that the right to life of girls before and after birth is respected.” This is part of the statement delivered by Gabriella Gambino, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, at the side event of the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) on “Bias before birth: sex-selective practices and their consequences. Beijing's unfinished business" (13 March 2025, New York).

Sex-selective practices against girls are discriminatory and reveal biopolitical control over human life, particularly targeting women

 Professor Gambino participated as a speaker, as head of the Holy See Delegation at the 69th session of the CSW, highlighting the urgency of addressing the issue with seriousness and determination, because “Sex-selective practices against girls, both before and after birth, are still today a widespread issue in many regions of the world, although the Platform for Action adopted in Beijing repeatedly condemned this gravest form of violence and suppression of human life. Female pre-implantation selection, selective abortions, female infanticide, dowry-related murders and lack of care for girls and mothers in the post-natal period, are the most common.” Gambino explained in her speech. The proliferation of these practices is further driven by modern reproductive technologies which, combined with liberalizing abortion, facilitate pre-natal selection. These are discriminatory practices that reveal a biopolitical control over human life concerning women, who are effectively denied fundamental human rights.

Valuing reciprocity and equality between men and women to lay together the foundations for a more fraternal world

Although there is insufficient data to provide a complete picture of the phenomenon, “It is important to say it like it is: the selective killing of women is feminicide, that is the killing of women because they are women.” Governments must urgently act to defend their dignity and life.

“It will be necessary to change social and economic paradigms, as well as to promote educational and behavioral models, that will help to change stereotypes and prejudices in the new generations, valuing reciprocity and equality between men and women, in every stage and circumstance of life, within and outside the family. Changing is essential if we are to lay together the foundations of a more fraternal world, not only among peoples, but also between men and women.”

The event, co-organized by the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, His Excellency Monsignor Gabriele Caccia, together with ADF International, also saw the participation of Kelly Ryan, President of the Jesuit Refugee Service/USA; Anushree Bernard, Project Coordinator of the Vanishing Girls Campaign; and Daniela Constantino Llaven, from ADF International. Nadja Angelika Wolfe, Attaché to the Permanent Mission in New York, moderated the event.