World Population Day is celebrated to enhance awareness of population issues, including their relations to the environment and development. In 1989, the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme recommended 11th July, as World Population Day. The day of five billion world’s population on 11th July 1987 led to establishment of this annual event.
The world population has grown tremendously over the past years; today, it stands at about 7.5 billion. India is the second most populated country in the world with nearly a fifth of the world’s population and is projected to be the world’s most populous country by 2022, surpassing China.
“Family Planning: Empowering People, Developing Nations” is the theme for this year's World Population Day. Family planning allows people to attain their desired number of children and determine the spacing of pregnancies. It is achieved through use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of infertility
Access to safe, voluntary family planning is human right. It is an important factor in reducing poverty. It also promotes gender equality and woman empowerment. Empowered women contribute to the health and productivity of whole families and communities, and they improve prospects for the next generation.
Yet, about 225 million women in developing countries who want to avoid pregnancy are not using safe and effective family planning methods. Reasons for that could be lack of access to information, services or lack of support from their partners or society.
Family planning is one of the most cost-effective health interventions. Investing in family planning has clear economic benefits and other gains that can help countries to achieve their developmental goals.
Family planning (contraceptives) methods provided at various levels of public health sector facilities in India can be viewed on- nhm.gov.in/nrhm-
References-
www.un.org/en/events/populationday/
www.unfpa.org/events/world-population-day
www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs351/en/
