Call for population management for growth

CSOs for Population urges government to release 2023 census data promptly

ISLAMABAD:

The Civil Society Coalition (CSOs) for Population has called on the federal and provincial governments to honour their commitment to population management as stated in their manifestos.

A critical issue is the lack of disaggregated data from the 2023 census, which hampers informed policymaking. Therefore, the Coalition urged the government to release this data promptly.

CSOs for Population align with the global community to emphasise the crucial significance of population issues and their profound impact on national development. This year's theme, "Embracing the Power of Inclusive Data Towards a Resilient and Equitable Future for All," resonates strongly with the coalition’s vision for a healthy and prosperous Pakistan.

Pakistan faces significant challenges in managing its population growth, directly impacting resources and public services. Despite being water-abundant at independence, Pakistan is now the third most water-stressed country globally. As we are unable to meet the per capita needs of our growing population.

The Coalition highlighted the need to reduce maternal mortality, noting that 11,000 maternal deaths occur annually in Pakistan, a third of which occur due to closely spaced and repeated pregnancies. Increasing contraceptive use from 34% to 52% could save 3,800 mothers. Similarly, the high infant mortality rate, with 62 infants dying per 1,000 live births, could be reduced by saving 140,000 infants with increased contraceptive use. The Coalition would be able to bring to attention the government's steps to raise the contraceptive prevalence rate.

Pakistan's young population, with 60% under 30, faces low education levels and limited employment opportunities. The Coalition asks that the government's strategies leverage this demographic dividend and address the high ratio of out-of-school children, where one in three is not in school. Effective policies are needed to ensure these children receive an education.

With 50 million people living in poverty, rapid population growth exacerbates this issue. The Coalition seeks tangible measures to be taken by the government to prevent more people from falling below the poverty line.

The Coalition urges the government to explore all possible avenues to expand access to family planning services to lower the high unmet need for family planning. It recommends that community-based health workers such as Community Midwives (CMWs) and Lady Health Workers (LHWs) should be engaged to improve access to family planning services in remote and rural areas.

Research evidence demonstrates that collaborative efforts between CMWs and LHWs, supported by health and population welfare departments and supplied with contraceptives, can significantly reduce the unmet need for family planning.

Expanding the reach of midwifery services is imperative to prevent maternal mortality and ensure safer childbirth experiences. Similarly, innovative models like providing vouchers for the poorest women to access family planning services should be adopted nationwide. In the same way, the huge network of private providers can be tapped to enable this sector, along with pharmacies and pharmaceuticals, to offer family planning services.

The answer to current challenges lies in achieving a balance between population and resources, which will lead to a robust and equitable Pakistan—a nation where every individual thrives, resources are distributed fairly, and the burden of population growth is shared equally.