Wednesday 11 July 2012

WORLD POPULATION DAY 2012

“The hungry world cannot be fed until and unless the growth of its resources and the growth of its population come into balance. Each man and woman - and each nation - must make decisions of conscience and policy in the face of this great problem.” - Lyndon B. Johnson

World Population Day is an annual event, observed on July 11th, and its purpose is 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 inspired by the public interest in Five Billion Day on July 11, 1987, approximately the date on which the world’s estimated population reached five billion people. The world population on July 9, 2012 (As of 6.31 UTC), was estimated to have been 7,025,071,966.

The World Population Day 2012 Theme is “Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services”. Reproductive health is one of the important factors and is crucial in a world where every pregnancy is a wanted one, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. Universal access to reproductive health by 2015 is also one of the targets of the Millennium Development Goals. Unfortunately, we are still far from this goal.

Reproductive health problems remain the leading cause of ill health and death for women of childbearing age worldwide. Some 222 million women who would like to avoid or delay pregnancy lack access to effective family planning services and products. Nearly 800 women die every day in the process of giving birth. About 1.8 billion young people are entering their reproductive years, often without the knowledge, skills and services they need to protect themselves.  On World Population Day many activities and campaigns call attention to the essential part that reproductive health plays in creating a just and equitable world.

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