World Population Day 2017: Empowering People, Developing Nations
July 11th is World Population Day, and this year’s event coincides with The Family Planning Summit. World Population Day aims to increase awareness of issues surrounding population, which include the impact on social, economic and environmental matters.
In 2017, 214 million women in developing countries who wish to avoid pregnancy are not using modern or safe contraceptive methods, which includes the use of traditional methods or no contraception at all (GUTTMACHER, 2017). The lack of options for females should not be unmet but in fact focused on if we want to create a more sustainable future. The impact of these services is a huge gain both socially and economically. Females have further opportunities to education and work, empowering gender equality and economically sustaining development. With more females furthering their participation within the economy, it decreases the gender pay gap and furthermore creates more financial stability within their own families and communities; reducing poverty and controlling population growth. Having access to information on family planning can educate individuals in making their choices for contraceptive methods; eliminating doubts and improving union stability.
Family planning can save lives by eliminating several health risks. This includes transmission of HIV & other sexually transmitted infections, along with the risk of maternal & infant mortality. “In 2017, an estimated 308,000 females in developing countries will die from pregnancy-related causes, and 2.7 million babies will die in the first month of life” (GUTTMACHER, 2017).Saving the lives of those affected by the lack of unmet family planning, effectively saves lives of the children whose mothers health is at risk.
To stand as an advocate for promoting greater gender equality and opportunity, the UN and development agencies must support others to help control population in a positive way; we can save lives and improve the well-being of families and children, promoting human rights and a future that we at drop4drop strive to establish.