Combating Selective Abortions in Contemporary Azerbaidjan: Public Policy and Demographic Reality

Aby Shukiurov , EHESS (CERCEC)/INED

This presentation examines the issue of sex-selective abortions in contemporary Azerbaijan — a phenomenon that emerged after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and is observed across the three republics of the South Caucasus. The first part of the paper focuses on the demographic characteristics of sex-selective abortion in Azerbaijan, drawing on MICS and DHS data as well as national statistical sources. The second part explores the political dimension of the issue. While state officials publicly express concern about the skewed secondary sex ratio at birth and its long-term social and economic consequences (such as future imbalances in the labor market and on the marriage market), the problem remains largely unresolved. The paper analyzes existing governmental programs aimed at addressing gender discrimination at birth, including the establishment of “father schools,” financial incentives for families, and public awareness campaigns. Special attention is given to the institutional and cultural constraints limiting policy effectiveness: the absence of a comprehensive reproductive health law, the insufficient availability of modern contraceptive methods, and the persistence of conservative gender norms tacitly supported by local elites. The analysis combines quantitative demographic data with qualitative evidence from Azerbaijani media sources, expert interviews, and draft legislation, offering a multidimensional perspective on the effectiveness of current demographic and gender policies in Azerbaijan.

See extended abstract

 Presented in Session 117. Flash Session Families, Policies and Demographic Change