- Parents abort girl fetuses in favor of possible future sons under 'societal expectations that attribute greater economic, social and religious value to boys,' says UNFPA Asia and the Pacific - Most significant demographic consequence is 'shortage of eligible brides,' says Cornell professor Alaka Basu ISTANBUL Globally, more than 140 million girls are considered “missing” as a result of prenatal gender selection against girls, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The