TODAY -

11 July 2020: World Population Day

Dr Salam Noren Singh *



Introduction

World Population Day is an annual observance and an international level awareness campaign being celebrated all over the world to focus attention on the urgency and importance of global population issues – namely, the effect of overpopulation on the earth, the consequences to be facing due to the current rate of population growth which will not be able to be sustained in the near future including its relations to the environment and development, the importance of reproductive health and the quality of life.

It was 11 July 1987 on which the world population became almost about five billion. The baby born on 11 July 1987 in Zagreb, Croatia (then SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia) became the world’s 5 billionth human baby boy and his name was Matej Gasper.

This made eye open to all people in the world and started think about the future of this only known planet to live if the growing trend of the population undergoes as in that way. Really, this uncontrollable mankind population has become dangerous for this mankind itself. This is just like digging their own grave by mankind itself.

Beginning from 11 July 1989, today, the 11 July 2019, World Population Day is observing all over the world to spread awareness about the issues of the global population and the importance of reproductive health.

Every year this day is observed with a theme and UN Council decides the Theme for World Population Day to spread the awareness about population growth. The theme of this year is “Putting the breaks on COVID-19: how to safeguard the health and rights of women and girls now.”

World population at present

The world population is 7.7 billion as on 9 July 2020. According to United Nations predictions it could reach 9.7 billion people by 2050, and over 11.2 billion by 2100.

On the other hand, Most of the world demographers estimated the maximum power/capacity of earth to bear and maintain human being based on different factors as 9 to 10 billion people. Some demographers and Environmentalists predicted that the earth can bear even a population of 11 billion.

But, at first, we must not think about only the population of human beings because only human being cannot survive on this earth. It needs fresh water to drink, food, oxygen, fresh air, conducive environment, land for growing food and textiles for clothing, supplying wood and absorbing waste, fertile topsoil, trees for supplying oxygen, petroleum products, other species balancing environment as of today etc.

Since present world population is about 8 billion, it will be very late to prepare for the control of growth of our population to save the mankind on this earth. To know more about the issues of problem in this world, let’s see the trend of world population as given below:

Trend of World Population:
We may observe the population trend as given below:


A span of 123 years took to attain population from 1 billion to 2 billion. And, it took 32 years and 15 years respectively to attain 3 billion from 2 billion and 4 billion from 3 billion. But within 13 years of span, the population becomes 5 billion from 4 billion.

The lesser in time span in gaining 1 billion more population has become a threat to all of us in terms of inadequate fresh water for drinking as well as sewage treatment, shortage of food and fuel, depletion of natural resources, increase level of air pollution, water pollution, soil contamination, noise pollution, deforestation, global warming and change in landmass and water body as a result, loss of arable land, mass species extinction and contracting biodiversity, poverty, unemployment etc.

It has created the possibility of population explosion in the near future. Even though the time span for reaching 10 billion is extended to 29 years (projection), restriction and maintenance of the world population to 9 to 9.50 billion is the liking of the world demographers to check and avoid from various manifestation due to overpopulation.

As a response, the two leading population producing countries China and India can be check their population growth at replacement level at the earliest and consequently the western countries are already in check of population growth. But the global apprehension is the countries of Africa; they are contributing population with comparatively high population growth rate.

COVID-19 and Safeguard of the health and rights of women and girls

The present trend of world population growth is alarming ( Total Fertility Rate(TFR) = 2.5) and 43 countries has TFR 4 or more while 30 countries have TFR 2.5-3.9. The exploitation of nature due to increase of population may result in producing various unfavourable phenomenon and as its resultant human population reduces.

For example, the main cause of cancer formation are the reach of UV-ray on earth due to disturbance of ozone layer by human being, produce of large amount of oxides of carbon by factories and automobiles, consumption of contaminated water and food etc. The present pandemic COVID-19 disease may be taken as a result of overpopulation and its impact on environment , and it has killed a number of persons in this world; as on 9th July 2020, the total confirmed cases in the world is 1,21,80,154 and the total death is 5,52,380.

As a result of it, UN Council decides the theme for World Population Day of this year is “Putting the breaks on COVID-19: how to safeguard the health and rights of women and girls now.” Yes, this is the high time to control the spread of COVID-19 disease at the same time to safeguard the health and rights, particularly, of women and girls.

From the past experience while having such health emergencies, it is learnt that there is catastrophic secondary impacts, particularly, on the health of women and girls around the world. As a response to the pandemic, the temporary closing of sexual and reproductive health services in the hospitals threatens sharp rises in maternal and neonatal mortality.

Women and girls are often denied care outright or face dangerous delays in getting the services they need. On the other hand, such disease outbreaks increase girls’ and young women’s duties caring for elderly and ill family members, as well as for siblings who are out of school.

The pregnant women are hampered in seeking regular medical check-up. The COVID-19 confirmed pregnant and lactating women are more vulnerable in their treatment and in looking after their children. At the time of child delivery of normal and, COVID-19 suspected and confirmed women there are lots of inconveniences due to most of the hospitals are being engaged in COVID-19 treatment and limitations in dealing with COVID-19 positive cases.

Here we may remember the exemplary evidence from the West Africa Ebola outbreak of 2014-2016. In that outbreak the biggest threat to women’s and girls’ lives was not the Ebola virus, but the shutdown of routine health services and people’s fear of going to health facilities where they could get infected. The thousands more lives were lost when safe delivery, neonatal, and family planning services became inaccessible due to the outbreak. Unwanted pregnancy is also one of the products of such situations.

The women working in different sectors in general and in hospitals in particular are facing lots of problems in following Standard Operating Procedure(SOP). They need to be quarantine repeatedly and this affects their irreplaceable role in daily household activities and association with family members in general and their small children in particular and hence their mental pressure increases day by day.

The economic challenges during the prolong lockdown of such outbreak pose a serious threat to young women’s work and business activity and expose them to increased risk of exploitation and abuse. As a result, girls and young women facing severe economic shocks are more likely to involve in high-risk work for their economic survival and family maintenance.

Conclusion

While preparing plans and taking decisions related to control of the COVID-19 outbreaks, the state governments must include special measures related to the issues related to women and girls about their health, economy and rights.

All pregnant women, including those suspected or confirmed with COVID-19 infections, should be provided with high-quality care before, during and after childbirth, including antenatal, postnatal, newborn, intrapartum as well as mental health care.

Among the responses to the control of outbreak there must be provisions to protect and support young women’s economic empowerment and recognise the additional burden of unpaid and domestic work on women and girls.

Quarantine measures should be accompanied by support for affected households. The state governments must include measures to address gender-based violence (GBV) and child protection in COVID-19 response and recovery plans and ensure that plans are gender and age responsive and multi-sectoral.

At the present juncture, the need of the hour is to safeguard the health and rights of women and girls. So we must try to fulfill the theme of the World Population Day 2020, that is, “Putting the breaks on COVID-19: how to safeguard the health and rights of women and girls now.”


* Dr Salam Noren Singh wrote this article for The Sangai Express
The writer is Associate Professor, Department of Statistics, Imphal College, Imphal
This article was webcasted on July 12 2020 .



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Farce of a reason for PR
  • Draft plan for employment generation #1
  • Loingambi, Mingyashin, Chingri : eMing
  • World Radio Day at Rongdai
  • Focus on present challenges for bright future
  • Ed Sheeran brings India Tour to Shillong
  • Beauty tips for Valentine's Day
  • President's Rule has come !
  • No takers for the hot seat!
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • 50 years of Pebet @MCA #1 : Gallery
  • Kwatha Pham Kaaba :: Movie Review
  • Calls for Resignation of Amit Shah
  • Meitei eschatological belief & ethnic struggle
  • Stop border fencing & restore FMR
  • Failing in a competitive exam is not the end
  • Patra, Bhalla : Men of the moment
  • Warning to social media users amid unrest
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #2 : Gallery
  • Imagi Sorat :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Daily Habits & Mindsets of High Achievers
  • Coerced legislators' resignations
  • Right wing policies threaten gender equality
  • The fall of the AAP
  • Moving fast but to which direction
  • Onus on centre to restore order in state
  • 5 flowering plants newly recorded
  • Kangleipak's Unwavering Soul :: Poem
  • Make books & newspapers your companions
  • Pulses for a diverse agriculture
  • Exam warriors redefined
  • Sheeba Chaddha at Guwahati Asian Film Fest
  • Resignation of CM sinking in
  • Resignation unlikely to help restore normalcy
  • Manipur Statehood Day @ 1st MR : Gallery
  • Mahakumbh : Not just a religious gathering
  • Nepal with largest pictorial health warnings
  • Is war profitable market for arms manufacturer
  • Our CM & party resurrected BJP in Delhi
  • Assamese Play 'Comfort Women'
  • Reading into the resignation reality
  • No stormy session for now
  • Tarao Harvesting Fest @Chandel #6 : Gallery
  • 'Vande Bharat' Dream
  • NSS Orientation Programme at MU
  • The influence of the Golden Triangle
  • The Power of Poppy - 68 :: Poem
  • Prasanna Vithanage at Guwahati Film Fest
  • Md Alimuddin, celebrated Sagol Kangjei player
  • Condemnation of Armed Football Match
  • Webinar: KM3NeT Mediterranean experiment
  • Redefining Cancer care: People-centered
  • How thought leadership can propel your career
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #3
  • Guwahati Asian Film Fest : Day 1
  • Of guns and football
  • Armed men playing football, taunting Govt
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Epom Amadei Ithak - A theatrical revisit
  • Economy of the dynamic global landscape
  • Is the Bhagavad Gita relevant today ?
  • Healthy hair in Winter
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) 2025
  • From the battlefields to Delhi
  • Speculations on replacement of Chief Minister
  • 12th Legislative Assembly #2 : Gallery
  • Education & its disjuncture in Manipur
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Fest 2025 : Theme
  • Coo :: Poem
  • Agartala Coach : India U-19 Women Cricket
  • The story of the village of hope
  • Career choice in wetlands
  • CM in Delhi to meet Shah
  • After failed plastic ban bid, on brickfields
  • New catfish species discovered in Chakpi
  • Love, Unsure :: Poem
  • Manipur's border battles: Deeper conflict
  • A world without leprosy
  • Origin of corruption & possible remedies
  • The question of life
  • 'Sereki' unveils Majuli-themed campaign
  • Posers over summons to Delhi
  • Addiction-free campaign
  • Mera Chaorel Houba @Kangla #5 : Gallery
  • Manipur : Champions Jr Natl Sepaktakraw
  • Effective Unified Command approach
  • Saurashtrian Tamils
  • Accepting the change :: Poem
  • From Kumbh to heaven direct
  • Edge of the seat suspense
  • Wetlands revival efforts reaping fruit
  • Natambakta : Play by JNMDA #4 : Gallery
  • EIIFF 2025 unveils Festival Memento
  • Climate change & plant diseases
  • Shija Hospital- AHPI Healthcare Award
  • Budget 2025: A big gift for middle-class
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #2
  • Cakeology 2025: India's largest cake expo
  • Need to stick to a consistent narrative
  • Leniency on tobacco ban aiding demographic
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #2 : Gallery
  • Pheiroijam Christina - 21st Miss North East
  • Manipur: Gold at 28th Jr National Sepaktakraw
  • Clarion call for redeeming our rightful future
  • The Power of Poppy - 67 :: Poem
  • Clean energy for sustainability
  • Union Budget: Industrialists from NE speaks
  • Balaram Sougaijamba: General of Manipur
  • Nikhil Okram crowned 14th Mister North East
  • Chadong village: Rising from waters with hope
  • Financial literacy for common man
  • Obituary: (L) Pu Thangkholen Sitlhou
  • Nail care in Winters
  • State of war since 2023: No winner, only losers
  • Talks on new district row
  • Radio E-pao: 1000+ songs from Manipur
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Kwak Tanba : Gallery
  • February Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • Ballad of Letting Go :: Poem
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Fest
  • Deeper exploration of term 'Hill-Valley Divide'
  • Children's Book to adopt 'Look East Policy'
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Endless suffering of internally displaced child
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #2 : Gallery
  • Thiyam Suryamukhi conferred Padma Shri
  • Isolate Kuki Militants by facilitating safe return
  • Sports Meet held at Rongdai Village
  • Eco-Apocalypse: Prevent collapse with Green
  • Grand Finale : 21st Mega Miss North East
  • Time to give more teeth to ST demand
  • 5 years of ILP; what about NRC demand ?
  • Remembering Md Ladu, celebrated polo player
  • The Lament of Love's Deceit :: Poem
  • Need for inculcating value based education
  • Royte - Times Young Entrepreneur Award
  • Glass Child Syndrome ! 'Sibling rivalry'
  • 6 Films for NE Section at GAFF 2025
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Impartial anti-extortion cell need of the hour
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #1 : Gallery
  • Conservation Strategies of Pethia manipurensis
  • Remembers 13 Brave Indian Soldiers
  • Workshop: Intl Year of Quantum Science
  • Governor's role and discretionary powers
  • Physics workshop for educators at Agartala
  • Who wins Delhi - Daru or Dharma
  • War on Drugs: A war Manipur cannot loses
  • NE turning into transnational drug hub
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #2
  • Manipur's dystopian reality
  • The day Light reached the hills
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal Intl Film Fest 2025
  • Why is depreciation of rupee not stopping ?
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #5
  • Thoithoiba Yelhou Yangkok Artist #2 : Gallery
  • Republic Day Titbits
  • NIT Manipur: Best Design Award @VLSI Design
  • The Power of Poppy - 66 :: Poem
  • Grand Finale: 14th Mega Mister North East
  • Application : FILMART, Hong Kong
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #1
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Demographic for balkanisation of Manipur
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation at Nambol
  • Jugeshwor Kshetrimayum receives GELA 2025
  • Construction Committee of Meetei Yumpham
  • Call against misuse of social media
  • Positive & negative aspects of social media
  • In Search of Peace in Manipur
  • Embracing the Shadows :: Poem
  • Dr Manmohan Singh will live on
  • Rise in the price of medicines
  • Respecting the dead- Denying is a disgrace
  • Winter skin care tips for oily skin
  • Illegal immigrants :: Of FMR & border fencing
  • JD-U row exposes national parties' apathy
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #2 : Gallery
  • On 'Only BJP can save Manipur'
  • Frontline health workers dispelling darkness
  • 14th East Himalayan Trade Fair
  • Life is plastic
  • Killers on the road : 834 lives lost
  • Call to action to save State's wetlands
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #1
  • The Taste of Dreams wins @Red Intl Film Fest
  • Science: 3rd eye for Meitei-Kuki reconciliation
  • Northeast flies high in direct selling
  • Mastering focus amidst distractions
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #4
  • BJP : Tepid response from the hills
  • BABINA Hospital sets example in healthcare
  • Nitya Ras @Nongmeibung #1 : Gallery
  • Agonizing reality of our country's veteran elites
  • Historicising the colonial narratives
  • NSS Team Departs for National Integration
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Festival 2025
  • Time to recreate Naga Peoples Convention 2.0
  • Career in nutrition
  • Need to give more meaning to War on Drugs
  • Time for real action not empty rhetoric
  • Foundation: Manipur Press Club #2 : Gallery
  • "Aronba Wari" :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Tripura's livelihoods challenges
  • Archaeological Exhibition @ Kangla : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur needs to affirm her tribal roots
  • Madras/Chennai- 1989 till 2024 : Gallery
  • Investigate "arms recoveries" in Mizoram
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation
  • NE Direct Selling Conference & Expo
  • Response of Delhi in last 20 months
  • Regulated entry after FMR scrap, border
  • Mutua Bahadur : Preserving Manipuri culture
  • Competitive Altruism: Resolving ethnic conflict
  • Pithe Puli Utsav at Agartala
  • Building the best version of yourself
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival 2025
  • Tips to keep your lips soft & smooth in winter
  • Subsidised flight tickets for all
  • MCPCR alert on child trafficking fear
  • Imoinu Erat Thouni @ Wangkhei : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai celebrating Culture in Delhi NCR
  • 2nd Emoinu Fish Festival #1 : Gallery
  • Nupilal Ningshing Lamjel #2 : Gallery
  • Licypriya Kangujam: Nat'l Youth Day Award
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #1 : Gallery
  • Hingminashi Eikhoi : Call for unity in diversity
  • Misna Chanu aids to Jiribam IDPs : Gallery
  • Mega Protest Rally, end AFSPA #2: Gallery
  • Ningol Chakkouba @ Delhi #3 : Gallery
  • AIR Radio Imphal Station - Live streaming
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #2 : Gallery
  • The historical account of Kabaw Valley #3
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #6: Gallery
  • E-Pao.net : 25th Anniv & 2025 Wishes
  • Protest @Delhi - Murder of Meiteis #2: Gallery
  • Observance of Thang-Ta Day #1 : Gallery
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #1 : Gallery
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #5
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Mera Houchongba: Gallery
  • Ta Ta TabuHtoN :: Seireng
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet