World Population Day is an annual event, observed on July 11 every year, which seeks to raise awareness of global population issues. The event was established by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989. It was exalted by the interest of the public when the global population became near about five billion at 11th of July in the year 1987. World Population Day aims to increase people’s awareness on various population issues such as the importance of family planning, including gender equality, poverty, maternal health and human rights. The day is celebrated worldwide by business groups, community organizations and individuals in many ways. Activities include seminar discussions, educational information sessions and essay competitions. The objectives of celebrating the world population day:
- It is celebrated to protect and empower youths of both genders like girls and boys
- To offer them detail knowledge about the sexuality and delay marriages till they become able to understand their responsibilities
- Educate youths to avoid unwanted pregnancies by using reasonable and youth friendly measures
- Educate people to remove the gender stereotypes from society
- Educate them about the pregnancy related illnesses to raise the public awareness about dangers of early childbirth
- Educate them about STD (sexually transmitted diseases) to get prevented from various infections
- Demand for some effective laws and policies implementation in order to protect girl child rights
- Make sure about the access of equal primary education to both girls and boys
- Make sure the easy access of reproductive health services everywhere as part the basic primary health for each couple.
World population distribution map
The world today has its largest generation of youth in history – 1.8 billion young people, mostly in developing countries – with enormous potential to help tackle the major challenges facing humanity. But too many are denied their rightful opportunities to get a quality education, find decent work, and participate in the political life of their societies. World Population Day is an opportunity to renew our commitment to help young people unleash progress across society.
Action is urgently needed. Too many young people lack resources they need to lift themselves out of poverty. Adolescent girls are mostly venerable, due to face discrimination, sexual violence, early marriage and unwanted pregnancies. And even among those young people fortunate enough to receive university degrees, many find themselves without employment or stuck in low-wage, dead-end jobs.
The solution lies in investments in health, education, training and employment for young people as they undergo the critical transition to adulthood. This will improve prospects for their lives and our common future.
By empowering today’s youth, we will lay the groundwork for a more sustainable future for generations to come.