Gender equality, women power main focus

SOME FACTS

World Population Day is a global observance to raise awareness about population issues

Focuses on highlighting the importance of population-related challenges

2023 theme is ‘Unleashing the power of gender equality’

Motive is to uplift the voices of women and girls to unlock infinite possibilities

WOMEN’S STATUS IN INDIA

66% | Women have power of decision-making on sexual and reproductive health

11 | Adolescent birth rate in India, highlighting need for comprehensive sex education

18% | Women experience intimate partner violence, emphasizing urgency to address gender-based violence

82% | Women can decide on their own healthcare, which shows progress in empowering women

(Source: World Population Dashboard by UNFPA)

FAMILY PLANING — A NAGPUR CASE STUDY

In Nagpur city, 44 men underwent family planning operation compared to 6,940 women in 2022-23. This calls for increased focus on encouraging male participation in family planning

ARE WE GROWING OLDER?

Central India’s age-wise population distribution as per NFHS-5

0-14 years | 25%

15-64 years | 68%

65+ years | 7%

WHAT THIS MEANS

Population is experiencing a significant demographic shift

Proportion of elderly individuals is growing slowly

Population ageing presents challenges like health needs of this age group

GERIATRIC HEALTH NEEDS: FUTURE VIEW

Geriatricians, nurses, social workers, and other specialists to be needed

Age-friendly accessible transportation, well-designed public spaces

Modification at homes to accommodate mobility issues of elderly people

Preventive healthcare like regular health screenings, adult vaccinations to become reality

Support networks, community centres, and programmes to combat loneliness and isolation

Rise in mental health services for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline

(Text: Chaitanya Deshpande)


Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.