DHAKA: World Population Day is annually observed on July 11 to reaffirm the human right to plan for a family.

The day is being observed in Bangladesh as elsewhere across the globe with a call to prioritize youth in development plans, strengthen partnerships with youth-led organizations, and involve young people in all decisions that affect them. The theme of this year’s day is ‘Investing in Young People’.

State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Zahid Malik emphasized on stopping child marriage.

Different organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes, including rally and discussion, to mark the day. Health Minister Mohammad Nasim inaugurated the progammes at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. 

The best family planning worker, service organization and journalist were awarded at the function.

Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the occasion.

President Abdul Hamid said that the youths were the future of the country and by investing in them the country can transform this huge population into human resources.

He also hoped that gender discrimination would be removed for the betterment of the nation.

In a similar message, Prime Minister Sheikh said that one third of the population of Bangladesh is young. Therefore, the government is pledge-bound to improve their lot, she said.

She mentioned that the government had set up 30, 000 satellite clinics to take health and reproductive-care to their doorsteps.

World Population Day is a global observance and not a public holiday. It encourages activities of youth, events and information to help make this right a reality throughout the world.

In 1968 world leaders proclaimed that individuals had a basic human right to determine freely and responsibly the number and timing of their children. 

About 40 years later modern contraception remains out of reach for millions of women, men and young people. World Population Day was instituted in 1989 as an outgrowth of the Day of Five Billion, marked on July 11, 1987. The UN authorized the event as a vehicle to build an awareness of population issues and the impact they have on development and the environment.

Since then, with the United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) encouragement, governments, non-governmental organizations, institutions and individuals organize various educational activities to celebrate the annual event.

BDST: 1133 HRS, JUL 11, 2014