Rising incidence of feticide, neonaticide, and infanticide in Pakistan: An emerging crisis

Abstract

Feticide, neonaticide, and infanticide are serious crimes under the law; however, they remain prevalent in South Asian countries, including Pakistan. Female feticide is much more common due to a preference for males based on social, economic, and cultural needs. Other contributing factors include poverty, Low literacy, honor killings, and unwanted or illegal pregnancies. Police rarely pursue these cases. This lack of accountability emboldens perpetrators and silences survivors. By improving education, health services, economic conditions, and legal accountability, Pakistan can begin to reduce the tragic incidence of feticide, neonaticide, and infanticide.