Born: 1970, Italy
Profession: Photographer
Lives and works: Tuscany, Italy
MISSING GIRLS
In Armenia, it is estimated that by 2060 around 93,000 women will be missing—girls never born due to sex-selective abortions. Under natural conditions, approximately 104–106 boys are born for every 100 girls. In Armenia, however, the sex ratio at birth has fluctuated between 110 and 115 boys per 100 girls since the 1990s, with peaks above 120 in the early 2000s.
This imbalance stems from three factors: the patriarchal and patrilineal structure of Armenian society; a fragile socio-economic context; and prolonged tensions with Azerbaijan, culminating in the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. Men are traditionally seen as guarantors of family lineage, a more mobile workforce, and military conscription, central to national defense.
Sex-selective abortion is often imposed on women to meet their husband’s family’s expectations. In many rural areas, childbirth occurs under the supervision of in-laws, ensuring the birth of a male child. When selection does not occur before birth, some girls, in extreme cases, enter illicit adoption networks exploiting systemic vulnerabilities.
In November 2019, the Armenian National Security Service uncovered violations of international adoption laws between 2016 and 2018. In 2022, the Investigative Committee reported the illegal adoption of 20 minors by Italian citizens: newborns were taken after birth, exploiting mothers’ vulnerability, often while sedated or pressured.
Although no gender data were provided, 55% of adoptions from Armenia to Italy (2013–2021) involved girls, compared to 41% in Italy’s overall international adoption rate. This disparity reflects entrenched gender inequality that begins before birth and, in extreme cases, channels girls into illegal adoption circuits, requiring stronger international safeguards.
The project was supported by Journalismfund Europe and was realized in collaboration with journalist Sabrina Pisu.
