World Populations Day: Time to remain alert on population imbalance
KATHMANDU, July 11: Prime Minster KP Sharma Oli has said it is imperative to capitalize the population as an opportunity for economic development and societal transformation in the country.
The important aspects of population have paramount impacts on economic growth and development plans and programmes, PM Oli said in a message delivered on the occasion of World Population Day, today.
He urged the concerned authorities and stakeholders to lay emphasis on reproductive management than control provided improvements are already visible in the life standards of the people.
He further urged to pay heed to management aspects keeping in mind the outcomes being made in the indicators of policy and education and health and employment opportunities to tame population growth by reducing reproductive rates.
The World Population Day is being observed across the globe today (on July 11) at the call of the United Nations.
“Nepal’s life expectancy has increased with immoderate decline in the rates of child mortality and mortality of people of all ages and currently there is majority of active population age group in the country. We should cash in on the window of opportunity”, the PM said in the message.
The trend of gender-based discrimination on girl child is gradually on the decline, he said however the ill-practice of sex selection in embryo or discrimination on birth is visible in society.
He also cautioned the possibility of demographic imbalance due to gender ratio of the child birth.
The government is cautious on providing opportunity of participation to the senior citizens by ensuring their economic independence, the PM said, adding the government has prioritized the safety nets of senior citizens from social, economic, family and residential aspects as well as their health service and fitness.
“The government has adopted the policy of zero tolerance to any forms of child labour and discrimination. Efforts are being made to bring negative changes in the indicators of development outcomes through malpractices such as child marriage. The incumbent government is committed to check the inhuman practice of child marriage”, the message reads.
Prime Minister Oli went on saying that the government was also effortful to enable environment for the active population to make optimum contribution to the socio-economic transformation of the country. RSS