Last week, MP Maurice Vellacott stood in the Canadian House of Commons and made a powerful statement highlighting a disturbing issue: the use of ultrasounds to determine the sex of an unborn child, leading to sex-selective abortions. Vellacott drew attention to a CBC documentary revealing this practice, where parents choose to terminate pregnancies specifically because the unborn child is a girl.
“Mr. Speaker, I rise to present three petitions. With respect to the first petition, the petitioners reference a CBC documentary revealing that ultrasounds are being used in Canada to tell the sex of an unborn child so that parents can then choose to terminate the pregnancy if that unborn child is a girl. In view of this gendercide and violence against women and the human trafficking of girls, I think it is a sad and shameful thing that the three deadliest words in the world are ‘it’s a girl’. Females are full-image bearers and therefore should be treated with full respect and dignity,” Vellacott said.
Thank you, Mr. Vellacott, for bringing attention to this critical issue.
Gendercide, the practice of aborting fetuses based on their sex, predominantly targeting girls, is a global problem that has devastating effects on societies and communities. It reinforces gender discrimination and contributes to a cycle of violence and inequality. Tragically, Canada is not immune to this issue. The selective termination of female fetuses is an affront to the value and dignity of women and girls, and it perpetuates harmful gender biases.
In addressing this form of gender-based violence, Vellacott’s speech underscores the need for broader societal change and the enforcement of policies that protect unborn girls and promote gender equality. It calls for action not just from lawmakers but from every individual in society to stand against gendercide and to affirm the intrinsic worth of every human being, regardless of gender.
To combat this issue effectively, it is essential to implement measures that discourage sex-selective abortions and promote the rights and dignity of girls and women. This includes educating communities about the value of female life, ensuring equal opportunities for women and girls, and strengthening legal frameworks to prevent and punish gender-based violence.
As we reflect on Vellacott’s words, it becomes clear that protecting unborn girls is not merely a matter of policy but a moral imperative. Every girl deserves to be born into a world that values her, respects her, and offers her the same opportunities as her male counterparts.
Mr. Schouten, Campaign Director of WeNeedaLAW.ca, aptly notes that gendercide is an issue requiring collective effort. We must all work together to raise awareness, change cultural attitudes, and advocate for laws that protect the most vulnerable among us. Through concerted action and unwavering commitment, we can make a difference and help end the practice of gendercide in Canada and around the world.
Chelsea Garcia is a political writer with a special interest in international relations and social issues. Events surrounding the war in Ukraine and the war in Israel are a major focus for political journalists. But as a former local reporter, she is also interested in national politics.
Chelsea Garcia studied media, communication and political science in Texas, USA, and learned the journalistic trade during an internship at a daily newspaper. In addition to her political writing, she is pursuing a master's degree in multimedia and writing at Texas.
