|
Home
|
|
|
|
|
Population control can solve many problems: Azad |
|
|
New Delhi, Nov 16 (IANS) Stating that population
stabilisation can solve many problems, union Health and Family Welfare Minister
Ghulam Nabi Azad Tuesday called upon social and religious institutions to
support the cause.
“People’s representatives and religious and social leaders can play an extremely
important role in influencing public opinion and bring about effective behaviour
change,” Azad said addressing a conference of Asian Population Association.
“Medical science can provide the technical solution to facilitate the processes
(of population stabalisation) but the initiative has to come from the
behavioural side,” he said.
“Effective behaviour change for delayed marriage, giving girls opportunity to
study, having small families, giving up son preference and ensuring space
between two children are issues (that are) more social than medical,” he said.
The minister emphasized that high population growth adversely affected growth.
“Population has an intricate link with other issues related to development and
the demographic profile has an impact on every developmental initiative,” he
said.
“High population growth adversely impacts the quality of ordinary citizens. The
sheer pressure of numbers and limited resources like land leads to widespread
displacement of people forcing them to migrate in search of livelihood,” he
said.
He added that population related issues should be seen in totality with issues
like maternal mortality and health. He stressed upon granting more funds for
family planning.
“Global funding for family planning as percentage of all population assistance
has fallen from 55 percent in 1995 to 5 percent in 2005,” he said, adding that
it indicated a policy neglect.
|
| |
| |
| |
|
