11th JULY WORLD POPULATION DAY 2009

FIGHT POVERTY: EDUCATE GIRLS

INVESTING IN WOMEN IS SMART CHOICE

No one knows yet what the full scale of this global economic crisis will look like. We do know that women and children in developing countries will bear the brunt of the impact. What started as a financial crisis in rich countries is now deepening into a global economic crisis that is hitting developing countries hard. It is already affecting progress toward reducing poverty.

Policy responses that build on women's roles as economic agents can do a lot to mitigate the effects of the crisis on development, especially because women, more than men, invest their earnings in the health and education of their children. Investments in public health, education, child care and other social services help mitigate the impact of the crisis on the entire family and raise productivity for a healthier economy.

Protect the gains achieved

Investments in education and health for women and girls have been linked to increases in productivity, agricultural yields, and national income — all of which contribute to the achievement of the MDGs. Investments by governments worldwide have raised school enrolment rates, narrowed the gender gap in education, brought life-saving drugs to people living with AIDS, expanded HIV prevention, delivered bed nets to prevent malaria, and improved child health through immunization.

At the core of this inter-agency programme, funded by the United Nations Foundation, are these fundamental building blocks:

• Creating an environment conducive to keeping girls in school through the secondary level; or at least ensure they are literate.
  
• Ensuring that the particular reproductive health needs of adolescents are addressed and youth-friendly services provided.
  
• Working with communities, including local political and religious leaders, to increase public awareness of the reproductive and sexual health issues affecting adolescents.
  
• Providing life skills and counselling so that adolescent girls are aware of their rights and know about available services.
  
• Developing vocational training and income-generating programmes for adolescent girls to increase their status, independence and opportunities.
  
• Mobilising the support of decision makers at all levels to support programmes aimed at improving adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
  
• Contributing to equitable and sustainable development by reinforcing the capacity of national governments to engage girls in the social, economic and political life of the country.

July 11 is observed as World Population Day. The objective is to raise awareness about global population issues. The event is observed every year through activities that address the different factors impacting the rapid increase in population. The first step taken towards establishing World Population Day was made in 1989 by the governing council of the United Nations Development Programme. It was inspired by public interest in the Five Billion Day that was celebrated on July 11 1987. The theme for World Population Day 2009 is 'Fight Poverty: Educate Girls'. This year's World Population Day calls for investments in education and health for women and the girl child.

Advantages of girl education:

SIXTY PER cent of the world's illiterate children are female. Three-quarters of the children who do not attend school are girls. Educating the girl child not only provides a boost to the factors related to social development, but many more other factors associated with cultural and economic development. The education of women and girls is closely tied to good health and socio-economic growth. In many developing countries, women and girls do not get the support they need for health services and access to socio-economic assistance.

1. Economic Productivity
2. Social Development
3. Social and economic understanding
4. Intergenerational Education
5. Sustainability of Developmental Efforts

Socio environmental impact of increase in population :

• Depletion of natural land as cities grow larger
• Drop in availability of natural resourses
• Increase in poverty
• Unemployment
• Atmosphere hurt by burning fossil fuels
• Endangered animal species getting extinct
• Creating pressure on limited natural recourses
• Increase in illiteracy rate
• Food scarcity
• Chronic fresh water shortage
• Disappearing open space
• Crowded housing
• Air pollution due to increase in traffic and industries

FOR MORE INFORMATION LOG ON : http://www.unfpa.org/wpd/2009/resources.html