Montenegro continues to struggle with sex-selective abortion, despite a ban on the procedure introduced in 2009.

A deeply engraved social “son preference” causes a fall of births of girls, who are seen “less profitable” for the family. The disturbing demographic trend was discussed during Montenegrin parliamentary session, with Dragan Ivanovic, ruling coalition member, reportedly stating that “Every citizen has the right to influence the reproduction of their children”. Women’s rights defenders, backed up by the socialist party, torpedoed his words, calling sex-selective abortion “cancer of Montenegrin society”

Ivanovic was later accused of publicly supporting an illegal procedure and reinforcing harmful gender stereotypes. The politician went on to apologize for his words – but the problem remains.

Read a detailed story about sex-selective abortions in Montenegro published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.