'Many of the abortions are second or third child'

The State Statistics Committee (SSC) of Azerbaijan has reported an increase in the number of abortions in the country. In 2022, 58,000 abortions were recorded, compared to 46,877 in 2021 and less than 35,000 (34,719) in 2020, according to the SSC.

While Azerbaijani legislation does not explicitly prohibit selective abortions or other forms of abortion, the issue of criminal abortions is addressed in the Criminal Code. Out-of-hospital abortions are subject to fines, and in cases where death occurs due to negligence, a prison sentence of up to five years can be imposed.

Fazil Mustafa, a member of the Milli Majlis Committee on Human Rights, in an interview with Turan, expressed concern about the prevalence of selective abortions, which, in his opinion, are associated with illegal marriages.  Mustafa stressed the need for in-depth social research on this issue, emphasizing the role of specialized non-governmental organizations and foundations in studying and raising public awareness. He believes that increased understanding of the harm caused by selective abortions can lead to more thoughtful decision-making.

Sociologist Ahmad Gashamoglu attributes the rise in abortions to domestic tensions within families. He suggests that many of the abortions are performed for second or third pregnancies, as families experiencing tension and on the verge of divorce may not desire additional children. Gashamoglu points out that as divorces increase, so does the number of abortions.

Sanubar Heydarova, head of the Center for Social Services, in an interview with Radio Azadlig stressed the alarming trend that Azerbaijan ranks first in the world in selective abortions. She criticizes the government's lack of action, citing the absence of effective awareness campaigns or serious measures to combat this issue. Heydarova claims that prohibitions can be easily circumvented with financial means, and no doctors who violate these prohibitions have ever faced consequences. She emphasizes the need for comprehensive sexual education and reproductive health information, particularly for young people, which is currently a taboo subject in Azerbaijani society.

Experts suggest that enhancing social support systems for both mothers and children could contribute to a reduction in abortion rates. They emphasize the importance of providing increased care for mothers with multiple children and even propose reducing the required number of children to attain the status of "Mother of many children." Presently, this designation is given to mothers with five children in Azerbaijan.