Written by July 11th every year is World Population Day. It has been celebrated for almost three decades and aims to focus the world’s attention on the importance of population issues.
The Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme endorsed its introduction in 1989. Motivation for this special day comes from the interest that was raised by “Five Billion Day” on 11th July, 1987. It was the day when the population reached five billion worldwide.
Human Rights held an International conference in 1968. Family planning was affirmed for the first time to be a human right. The Tehran Proclamation, states that it is a basic right of parents to be able to decide on the number and spacing of their children.
Millions of women, all over the world, are still not given access to safe and effective family planning methods. Which is why it has been called as the focus for preceding years. A basic human right is to be able to get safe and efficient family planning. It should also be a voluntary choice. Gender equality and women’s empowerment depend on it. More over, it is a major factor in reducing poverty.
