The United Nations’ (UN) World Population Day will be observed on July 11. The purpose of this day is to increase the awareness of the masses regarding various issues such as the importance of family planning, gender equality, poverty, maternal health and human rights.
In 1968, world leaders proclaimed that individuals had a basic human right to determine freely the size of their family.
About 40 years later modern contraception remains out of reach for millions of women, men and young people.
World Population Day was instituted in 1989 as an successor to the Day of Five Billion, marked on July 11, 1987.
The UN authorized the event as a medium to spread awareness on the effect the population has on development and environment.
The theme of the day is “Focus on Adolescent Pregnancy”.
As the world population edges closer to 7 billion people, it has had profound implications for development. A world of 7 billion is both a challenge and an opportunity with implications on sustainability, urbanization, access to health services and youth empowerment.
According to the UN, about 16 million girls under age 18 give birth each year. Another 3.2 million undergo unsafe abortions. The vast majority – 90 per cent of the pregnant adolescents in the developing world are married. But for far too many of these girls, pregnancy has little to do with informed choice.
Pregnancy in the developing world is a consequence of discrimination, rights violations and illiteracy.
The day is celebrated worldwide by business groups, community organizations. Activities include seminar discussions, educational information sessions and essay competitions and walks to promote the day.
