M. A. Jabbar :
World Population Day is an annual event of the United Nations, observed globally every year on July 11. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness about global population issues-challenges, and opportunities available to address the same. The day seeks attention and action of the governments, policy-makers, academics, experts, NGOs, individuals and in fact, everybody in the society. The Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme established the event in 1989. In 1950, five years after the founding of the United Nations world population was estimated at around 2.6 billion. According to UN estimates, the figure reached 5 billion in 1987 and 6 billion in 1999. The figure crossed 7 billion in 2014 and it is expected that world populations will probably be 8 billion by 2030. Bangladesh will also observe the day in a befitting manner.
UN data reveals that about 16 million girls under age 18 give birth each year. Another 3.2 million undergo unsafe abortions; the vast majorities 90 percent of the pregnant adolescents in the developing world are married. Nevertheless, most of these girls have little to do with informed choice. They also face consequences of discrimination, rights violations including child marriage, inadequate education, or sexual coercion. UN report further reveals that every day, almost 800 women die in pregnancy or childbirth. Every two minutes, the loss of a mother shatters a family and threatens the well-being of surviving children. In 2008, UNFPA established the Maternal Health Thematic Fund to increase the capacity of national health systems to provide a broad range of quality maternal health services to reduce health inequalities and empower women to exercise their right to maternal health. UNFPA has also formed team with five partners namely, UNICEF, the World Bank, World Health Organization, UNAIDS and UN Women to accelerate progress in saving the lives of women and newborns. The agencies have helped member countries to make commitments to the global initiative and with the UN’s MDGs, advocates and patterns mobilize the financial, technical and human resources needed to meet their commitments.
Bangladesh with a surface area of 147570 square kilometers (56,977 square miles) is the eighth most populous country in the world. There is an average of 964.42 people for every square kilometer of land, and in terms of density alone; it is in the ninth position. One estimates predicts that population will be nearly 200 million by 2020 with 40 percent under the age of 15 years of age. The number is likely to be 220 million by 2050.
As it is the reality that education is the backbone of a nation, and no development programme cannot gain ground leaving vast majority of its people illiterate, Government of Bangladesh has given top priority to this sector for the improvement of life index of the people. This has been reflected in the literacy survey report of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), showing literacy rate of the population aged above 15 reached 59.82 per cent while the illiteracy rate is 40.18 and the literacy of women is 55.71. According to BBS, the literacy rate has increased substantially (11.75%) during the tenure of present government and this has been possible due to government’s untiring efforts to fulfill its election pledge. The government’s project for launching Fundamental Literacy Project in as much as 64 districts, aiming at providing fundamental literacy knowledge to 4.5 million illiterate people of ages between 15 to 45 will contribute significantly towards enhancement of literacy rate. Further, MDGs-Bangladesh progress report 2012 reveals that it has made commendable progress in respect of increasing equitable access in education (Net Enrolment Rate:98.7 percent; girls 99.4 percent, boys: 97.2 percent), reduction of dropouts, improvement in completion of the cycle, and implementation of a number of quality enhancement measures in primary education. It further reveals that Bangladesh has already achieved gender parity in primary and secondary enrolment.
Despite various obstacles, our country is also advancing in terms of various economic indicators. There may be many arguments; nevertheless, it is good news for us that our Gross National Income has increased. According to World Bank, Bangladesh has become a lower middle-income country with the per capita Gross National Income (GNI), joining those with annual incomes of $1046 to $4125. According to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) the country’s per capita GNI is now $1314, which is $1080 as per World Bank. The Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh does not want to stay at the lower ladder…it wants climb to the peak and we will do whatever is necessary for that. Such remarks from the head of the government certainly encourage all of us and reaffirm government’s commitment and untiring efforts for economic emancipation of the people of the country. There is another good news for the country when a news report reveals that 43 countries’ organization OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) of the US, Europe and Asia-Africa in its classification meeting held on 17 June 2015 declared that Bangladesh country rating reached to 5 from 6. In accelerating the rating, it was observed that in spite of political instability and worldwide recession during the last one decade, Bangladesh could achieve stable economic growth. However, all must work so that inequalities are removed and human values are uphold. Then we shall get the true benefits of economic growth.
Inward remittance: There is a new record of inward remittance in the just ended financial year July 2014 to June 2015. Record shows that an amount of U.S. dollar one thousand 530 crore has been received as inward remittance during this period which is equivalent to around one lac 20 thousand 870 crore taka at the rate of Tk. 79 per US dollar. The amount was US dollar one thousand 423 crore during the previous financial year 2013-2014 thus there was an increase of US dollar107 crore or 7.60 percent over the previous financial year. Experts opined that increase in inward remittance is definitely a positive side as the amount will be spent a part in consumption and or investment, which will contribute to growth of the economy. Experts further opine that if proper training is given to the workforce going abroad or they are turned into skilled labor force, scope exists for increase of their income, which in turn will help further increase in inward remittance.
Impact of global climate change: Although government of Bangladesh is pro-active to address the climate change, nevertheless, it has to incur the consequences due to the industrial affects of the developed countries. The global warming due to the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations in the earth’s atmosphere and the consequent sea level rise will be a great problem. Almost every sector of socio-economic life in Bangladesh is likely to be affected by climate change. Due to rise in sea level, a great portion of people of delta area would be displaced and will add to upper level land area; thereby density of people will be much more than existing around 1000 persons in a square kilometer. Despite the world’s largest delta with an estimated 1210 billion cubic meters of fresh water resources, Bangladesh depends mostly on groundwater for drinking and dry season irrigation. According to experts, this is due to lack of sustainable water-usage plan. The over extraction of groundwater would lower its level and create increased salinity in coastal areas. When the groundwater level goes below the sea level, saline water flows inwards during tidal surge in river. The country experiences disasters like tropical cyclones, storm surges, coastal erosion, floods, and droughts causing heavy loss of life and prosperity. It is already beset with problems like high traffic-jam, sanitation, pollution etc.
Bangladesh is a developing country thriving to achieve various socio-economic targets for the prosperity and welfare of the people. Without fully utilization of its population, a prosperous nation cannot be expected. As such, government has given priority for the upliftment of living of its population. For the purpose an environment is warranted where it is ensured that the above problem are addressed in an appropriate manner. We must ensure that gender equality is established and every young person’s potential is fully utilized. To this end, all stakeholders including NGOs and in fact everybody of the society must make robust effort from one’s respective position and field. Let World Population Day creates an opportunity for happy and prosperous life for all.
(M.A. Jabbar writes on health and environment issues and is executive secretary of ADHUNIK, national anti-tobacco organization of Bangladesh.)
