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A hospital in Guangdong province has drawn widespread criticism for displaying anti-abortion slogans that many netizens have condemned as sexist and unscientific. The slogans appeared at Heyuan Youhao Hospital during a "Family Education Public Welfare Exhibition" and quickly sparked outrage online.
One slogan claimed that "abortion harms the vitality of the male’s family," while another stated, "Mothers who have had abortions tend to have rebellious children." The promotional boards also alleged that children born to women who underwent abortions were more likely to suffer from health issues, lower IQs, and poor temperament. Additionally, the boards used gender-stereotyped imagery, portraying "bad-tempered children" as girls and "good-tempered children" as boys.
The slogans were first brought to public attention on January 1 when a netizen shared images of the display on social media, igniting heated debates. Many criticized the hospital for promoting outdated and harmful beliefs. One commenter noted, "How did public welfare campaigns turn into feudal superstition? It feels like we’re back in the Qing dynasty." Others pointed out the absurdity of framing abortion as a harm to men and their families rather than addressing the health and well-being of women.
In response to the backlash, the local Health Commission confirmed on January 2 that the promotional boards had been removed. The hospital claimed the display was organized by an external group and admitted it had not reviewed the content before allowing the exhibition. However, the netizen who initially exposed the slogans reported being contacted by the hospital and threatened with legal action for "spreading unverified information."
The controversy highlights broader issues in China, where approximately nine million abortions were recorded in 2023, nearly matching the country's total number of births. Over half of these abortions involved unmarried women aged 15 to 24, with repeat abortions exceeding 55%. Critics argue that such campaigns fail to address the root causes of gender biases and instead perpetuate harmful narratives.
Feng Yuan, co-founder of the Beijing-based gender equality NGO Equality, emphasized that genuine advocacy for women's rights requires practical policies and education. "Intimidating men to prevent sex-selective practices does not promote equality or ensure women’s autonomy," she said. Feng called for greater involvement from health authorities and women’s organizations to address systemic issues and support women's well-being.
Source: SCMP
