World Population Day today

World Population Day-2017 will be observed today across the country as elsewhere in the world with a call to develop the nation by family planning and empowering people.

The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of global population issues -challenges, and opportunities available to address the same. The day seeks attention and action of the governments, policy-makers, academics, experts, NGOs and individuals.

The theme of the day Family Planning: Empowering People, Developing Nations aims at providing safe, voluntary family planning.

State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Zahid Maleque called upon all concerned to create awareness of the adolescent health and child marriage.

He made the call while addressing a press conference on the eve of the World Population Day at his ministry's conference room here today.

"Our government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received MDG (Millennium Development Goal) Award in 2010 for successfully reducing maternity mortality rate," the state minister said.

He said the government is committed to a new sustainable development agenda built on the principles of equity and human rights. To achieve the target, he said, adolescent health care is essential.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the occasion of World Population Day-2016 and wished the day's programme a success.

Terming this year's theme of the day as time-befitting M Abdul Hamid said the empowerment of people is essential for the development of the nation. "Family planning is pre-requisite for progress in any country. Small family would play a vital role in making a happy and prosperous nation," he said.

The president said the government has been implementing different initiatives for providing advanced education to make them efficient citizens of the country.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her government is imparting healthcare to teenage girls, children and women through countrywide community clinics, union health and family welfare centers, mother and children welfare centers and other service centers.

She referred to different initiatives of the government for the welfare of women and children.

To observe the day, an elaborate programme has been taken to create awareness among the people. The programme includes rallies and discussions.

The main function of the day would be held at Osmani Memorial Hall in the city. Health and family welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim is expected to attend the function as the chief guest.

Besides, Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels would air special programmes while special supplements will be published in different national dailies.

In 1989, the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme recommended that 11 July be observed by the international community as World Population Day, a day to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues.

Source: bss