United Nations, 1994. August 1995 Permission is hereby granted to quote with credit. Perspectives From the Developing World Inequities, driven by overwhelming poverty, affect both male and female children in the developing world. Yet cultural traditions, scant economic resources and limited opportunities marginalize young girls. Young boys have better access to health care, nutrition and education.
Gender bias is reinforced throughout adulthood as men retain economic and political power.
Equality of opportunity empowers women and girls to make knowledgeable decisions about their health and fertility, and envision identities unbound by sexual marital and mothering roles. Adolescents reach adulthood in societies that undervalue the contributions of women and perpetuate harmful gender stereotypes. Few countries guarantee women equal rights within marriage, divorce and family property. Governments and nongovernmental organizations must continue social and political efforts to ensure gender equality, provide better opportunities for, and facilitate the education of young women. 1 South Korea, nearly 80,000 female fetuses were aborted between 1986 and 1990, about 5 percent of all female births.