Population
is still technically growing and according to the United Nation
Population Division’s numbers, that growth is slowing dramatically.
World population day is a global awareness operation that is celebrated
all over the world by bringing a population revolution internationally
and seeking to raise understanding of global population issues.
In
1968, world leaders proclaimed that individuals had a basic human right
to determine freely and responsibly the number and timing of their
children. Since that day, 11th July is continued to be
observed to reiterate the significance of human right to plan for a
family by encouraging activities and disseminating the right information
to help make this right veracity.
However,
realization of the right to plan a family encounters many challenges
including the fact that many modern contraception remains out of reach
for millions of women, men and young people. Regardless, the growth of
population will continue to increase despite the dramatic declines in
the average number of children per woman.
Acknowledging
on the threats possessed by the world population growth, the UN
authorized this day as a vehicle to build an awareness of population
issues and the impact they have on development as well as the
environment. Each year a theme is selected to highlight a priority area
of concern pertaining to population issues.
World Assembly of Youth (WAY) is fully aware that over population
growth is occurring all over the world but the growth often multiplies
mostly in less developed countries. We believe that as more and more
individuals share our planet, new challenges arise daily. Thus, it rests
on individual decisions and actions to control global population growth
particularly those from young people considering them as the largest
portion of world population. Therefore, taking into account the urgency
to solve the current population challenges, we urge young people to
educate others including their peers especially those living in less
developed countries on effective family planning, sex education amongst
adolescents and the importance of using contraceptive.
Thus,
at this point, we cannot know with certainty when or if world
population can feasibly be stabilized, nor can we state with assurance
the limits of the world's ecological "carrying capability", but we can
be certain of the desirable direction of change that we seek which is to
ensure reproductive health through the channel of education.
Happy World Population Day!
