British charity blasted as ‘irresponsible’ for saying it’s not illegal to abort babies because they are girls

The charity faces accusations of acting irresponsibly given fears these are on the rise among the country’s Indian women.

Many pregnant British-Indian women are under a great deal of pressure to have boys, meaning they could be coerced into having an abortion as soon as a scan reveals a female foetus.

The latest figures show that women of Indian origin are likely to have aborted 400 girls on the basis of their six in the five years up to 2021.

On the BPAS website, it says: “The law is silent on the matter. Reason of foetal sex is not a specified ground for abortion within the Abortion Act, but nor is it specifically prohibited.”

The Department of Health’s own guidance, which was issued to doctors in 2014, reads: “Abortion on the grounds of gender alone is illegal.

“Gender is not itself a lawful ground under the abortion act.”

In the 2024/25 financial year, the charity recorded an income of £64 million, £63 million of which was derived from NHS-funded services.

Campaigners warn that sex-selective abortion remains a hidden but persistent problem. Dame Jasvinder Sanghera, a prominent activist against forced marriage, said there was no doubt the practice was occurring.

“There are many reasons,” she told The Times.

“Dowry culture still exists in some communities, meaning girls are seen as an immediate financial burden. Health professionals must stop looking the other way out of cultural sensitivity or fear of being labelled racist.”

Journalist and broadcaster Khadija Khan described abortion based purely on gender as “a repugnant practice”, while Rani Bilkhu, founder of Jeena International, which supports Asian victims of domestic abuse, said authorities were reluctant to address the issue.

“They worry the conversation will be framed as racism, but this is about lived experience,” she said.

“These are realities within our communities, and silence helps no one.”

Senior Conservative peer Baroness Eaton called the issue “a great tragedy” and urged lawmakers to act.

“Parliament must ensure there is an explicit ban on sex-selective abortion,” she said. “That would protect baby girls and women who are at risk of coercion.”

Catherine Robinson of the pro-life group Right To Life criticised BPAS for publishing guidance stating that sex-selective abortion is not explicitly mentioned in UK abortion law.

“It is irresponsible,” she said. “It risks normalising the practice and makes it harder for women to resist pressure from partners or family members who may insist on an abortion because the baby is a girl.”

She added that women trying to push back may be told that the UK’s largest abortion provider says the practice is not illegal.

Data from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) shows that among women of Indian origin, the sex ratio for first and second children mirrors the national average of 105 boys to 100 girls. However, for third births, the ratio rises sharply to 113 boys for every 100 girls.

Ms Bilkhu said pressure on women intensifies after the birth of one or two daughters.

“There is enormous expectation to produce a male child,” she said.

“That pressure comes from husbands and in-laws, regardless of education level or whether families are first- or second-generation immigrants.”

Responding to the criticism, BPAS spokesman Katie Saxon said: “Foetal sex is not mentioned in abortion law in the UK. The reasons women seek abortion care are varied and complex, and in our experience of supporting more than 100,000 women each year, it is extremely rare for anyone to request an abortion solely on the grounds of foetal sex.”

She added that there are circumstances, such as serious sex-specific medical conditions, where foetal sex may legitimately form part of clinical decision-making.

However, the DHSC said the Government’s stance was clear.

“Sex-selective abortion is illegal in England and Wales and will not be tolerated,” a spokesperson said. “Sex is not a lawful ground for termination, and it is a criminal offence for a practitioner to carry out an abortion for that reason alone. Any evidence of this practice should be reported to the police immediately.”