Reimagining Population Control for Sustainable Development in Pakistan

Reimagining Population Control for Sustainable Development in Pakistan

Sherry Rehman Advocates for a New Approach to Population Control

In a recent keynote speech at the 9th Meeting of the Parliamentary Forum on Population Council, Senator Sherry Rehman of Pakistan called for a reassessment of the country’s approach towards population control and family planning. Highlighting the crucial role it plays in national development, she urged officials to view it not as a controversial issue, but as an essential part of Pakistan’s growth strategy. She warned that unchecked population growth could pose a significant threat to the country’s development.

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The Connection between Women’s Empowerment and Population Management

Rehman underscored the importance of empowering women to make decisions about their families. She referred to the Lady Health Workers Programme, an initiative launched by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, as a paradigm-shifting measure in addressing population growth. The programme, which focuses on delivering health services, has the potential to raise public awareness about the perils of unchecked population growth. Rehman lauded the initiative for its role in women’s empowerment and population management.

High Population Growth: A Hindrance to Progress

Pakistan’s high population growth rate, according to Rehman, is an obstacle to its progress. She argued that a decrease in population growth is critical for sustainable development. She also stressed the importance of accurate and universally accepted population data in informing decision-making and planning for population management.

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Climate Change and Population Vulnerability

Noting the susceptibility of Pakistan’s population to climate change, Rehman emphasized the need for effective population management to address this issue. She stated that unchecked population growth could exacerbate the country’s vulnerability to climate change, making population control a key climate resilience strategy.

Investing in Human Capital and Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships

In her concluding remarks, Rehman underscored the importance of investing in human capital, particularly in the education and skills development of the youth, and the potential role of public-private partnerships in addressing population challenges. She suggested that these partnerships could also be instrumental in leveraging digital technology for outreach and services.

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The meeting, which brought together policymakers, experts, and organizations, served as a platform for discussion on population management and development in Pakistan. Rehman’s keynote speech served to underscore the importance of a holistic approach to population control, one that includes women’s empowerment, sustainable development, and climate resilience, among other factors.