Dhaka, May 11 (V7N)- The High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh has delivered a landmark verdict banning the determination and disclosure of the sex of unborn children, aiming to prevent gender discrimination and unethical practices related to female foeticide.

The full text of the verdict, issued by a High Court bench comprising Justice Naima Haider and Justice Qazi Zeenat Haque, was published on Monday. The court had earlier announced the short verdict on February 25, 2024.

According to the judgment, revealing the gender of an unborn child promotes discrimination against women, encourages female foeticide, creates social imbalance, and violates constitutional rights.

The court observed that such practices contradict the principles of dignity, equality, and the right to life guaranteed to women under the Constitution. It also stated that the practice violates international human rights obligations.

The verdict further noted that Bangladesh has long lacked effective monitoring, control, and accountability mechanisms to prevent such unethical activities.

The court emphasized that merely formulating guidelines is insufficient and that strong implementation measures, digital monitoring systems, and effective regulatory mechanisms are necessary to stop the disclosure of fetal gender and related discriminatory practices.

END/SMA/AJ