Aideen Hayden (Labour)

The motion that has been put before us by Senators Mullen and Quinn has many merits. I do not want to repeat what other Senators have said. Any discrimination is undoubtedly wrong but the genocide, in effect, of female children and babies is an appalling abuse of human rights. There is no two ways about that. It is useful to point out that gendercide is not confined to poorer countries. It has already been mentioned that discrimination against female children is practised among the better-off sections of society in countries like China and India. It is important to study the list of countries where the population is proportionally skewed in favour of one gender. A significant number of them are not among the better-off countries of the world, although I was surprised to note that Cyprus is one of those with a skewed population ratio. I find it difficult to understand why it is on the list. It is important to accept that not all of the countries that practice gendercide are among the poorer countries of the world. It goes much deeper than financial assistance.

I disagree with the motion in one respect. We should recognise that some countries - South Korea, for example - have succeeded in turning the policy around and making strides against gendercide. It has been done by bringing about a change in culture and in the way women are valued in society. The basic changes that have been made include the introduction of legislation permitting women to own property, which may seem obvious in the western world but is important none the less. It was not until the late 1880s that legislation in Britain and Ireland allowed women to hold property independently of their husbands. Changes of this nature need to take place. Fundamentally, Ireland's role on the world stage has been to support the equality not just of women and men but of people generally. We have a proud record in that regard.

We need to hesitate in one respect. My research has shown that China and India are taking measures to counter gendercide. Statistics show that China has made some progress, although it is insufficient. The 2000 census pointed to a more stable sex ratio in that country. At the very least, the problem has stopped getting worse. The World Bank agrees that there has been a decline in the ratios in portions of China where this phenomenon had been particularly problematic. In India, a study has shown that the cultural preference for sons has also been falling. As in China, the sex ratio is rising, albeit very slowly. For this reason, I do not think it would be a positive step to specify China and India in the manner that is done in the motion before the House, which asks that they be challenged "to abandon coercive population limitation policies". Such an approach would be counterproductive, given that some measures have been taken in those countries.

Of course it is important that we bring diplomatic pressure to bear on the governments of various states. That is something we should be doing in the normal course of our foreign policy. Of course we should ensure the recipients of foreign aid do not promote gendercide. The Government amendment covers both of those factors. Ireland's support for the millennium development goals is critical to bringing about the equal status of men and women internationally. It has been shown that by changing cultural attitudes, one will ultimately change attitudes to gendercide. I accept that this is an important international issue. In this instance, I have decided it is preferable to support the Government amendment.