” We do not believe in anarchy in material production and we do not believe in anarchy in human reproduction . Man must control nature and he must control his number “
Population of the world has been consistently increasing especially after world war II .
In demographic terms ,the world is experiencing a period of population explosion .
Population itself is not a problem .
Qualitatively good population with manageable size , represents the strength of a nation but if the size becomes unmanageable, the same population invites unwanted problems . It not only halts economic progress but also innumerable challenges to the social system .
The Governing Council of The United Nations Development Programme established , ” World Population Day ” an annual event, observed on July 11 every year in 1989 , to seek and raise awareness of global population issues .
World Population Day aims to increase people’s awareness on various population issues such as the importance of family planning, gender equality, poverty, maternal health and human rights
History :-
World Population Day was established by the United Nations in 1989. It was inspired by the public interest in Five Billion Day on July 11 in 1987, the approximate date on which the world’s population reached five billion people.
A resolution was passed on July 11, 1990 by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) deciding to continue observing World Population Day every year to enhance awareness about population issues, including their relations to the environment.
Theme , 2021
The theme is organised by the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).
The theme for World Population Day 2021 is “Rights and Choices are the Answer: Whether baby boom or bust, the solution to shifting fertility rates lies in prioritising all people’s reproductive health and rights.”
This year’s theme raises awareness about ‘the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on fertility i.e on sexual and reproductive health and reproductive behaviour globally.
Significance of World Population Day
World Population Day is observed every year with the aim of highlighting the unwanted problems created by overpopulation as well as raising awareness about the harmful effects of overpopulation in an ecosystem.
Through this great awareness celebration, people are encouraged to take part in the event to know about population issues like importance of family planning towards the increasing population, gender equality, maternal and baby health, poverty, human rights, right to health, sexuality education, use of contraceptives and safety measures like condoms, reproductive health, adolescent pregnancy, girl child education, child marriage, sexually transmitted infections, etc.
Sexuality related issues are very necessary to solve among youth, especially those between 15 to 19 years of age.
This year the significance of World Population Day is about how a pandemic has compromised health care systems particularly in the area of sexual and reproductive health.
The World Population Day also spread awareness about gender-based inequities.
According to UNFPA research in March, an estimated 12 million women experienced disruptions to family planning services.
Gender-based violence as well as the sharp rise of unplanned pregnancies has increased under lockdown.
The condition of the women didn’t change any better this pandemic , they are being exploited by restricting their freedom of taking decisions .
Despite being empowered educationally, economically and politically women are not allowed to exercise choice over their bodies and fertility.
UNFPA lays out joint health service programmes to educate people about the fertility and reproductive health service and advises against policy which can be extremely harmful and violate rights, health and choices aiming particularly for women education regarding health service and choices.
Population growth
” No social problem is beyond human control and solution “.
The actual measure of the real problem of overpopulation has been superlatively seen during the present days of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The world population is continuously increasing . Several nations of the world are gripped by the problem of overpopulation .
The unsustainable population growth and lack of access to reproductive health care also puts pressure on human communities, reducing the facilities to save life at risk during this pandemic and making it harder for the most vulnerable communities to come out of this death threatening time .
About 95% of World population growth is occurring in developing countries. One/ third of the world’s population is under 15 and will soon enter the reproduction bracket , giving more potential for population growth .
The UNFPA estimates that the world population is most likely to nearly double to 10 billion people in 2050 , peaking at 11.6 billion reaching 20.7 billion a century later .
World population is currently growing at 176 people per minute .
The world population is indeed increasing at an alarming rate . This speedy growth of population is one the greatest obstacles to the economic and social advancement of the majority of people in the underdeveloped world.
“Population growth is the primary source of environmental damage.”
– Jacques Yves Cousteau
Overpopulation brings down per capita income and national income , bringing down the standard of living of the people . It becomes difficult to face the challenges of poverty , unemployment and underemployment .
Celebration :-
Every year, on World Population Day , various events and activities are organized, mostly in schools and colleges like seminar discussions, educational information sessions, and essay competitions to draw attention to the issues of the growing population.
They also talk about family planning, poverty, gender equality, maternal health, and human rights, and also the health issues faced by childbearing women.
The pandemic has wreaked a devastating toll on this generation. UNFPA and other United Nations agencies and civil society stakeholders are practicing programs to improve health care and social services,
There are several programs. providing detailed knowledge about sexuality and delaying marriages till they become able to understand their responsibilities , educating youths to avoid unwanted pregnancies by using reasonable and youth friendly measures.
A serious problem like “the population explosion ” requires immediate solution . Though it cannot be solved by an act of legislation or by the Presidential promulgation ,it can very well be handled skillfully and efficiently by creating general social awareness. Hence as a member of society it’s our duty to provide a lasting solution to this problem.
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EDUINDEX NEWS 
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