Population growth in India and how improving conditions for women slashed rate
Under the new approach, there were efforts for enhancing individual health and realization of other rights to bring down the birth rate and mellow the pace of population growth.
India, the second largest country in the world, in terms of population, with improved conditions for women has reduced its population growth rate, states Paulomi Tripathi, a first secretary in India's UN Mission. At the 25th anniversary of International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo, Tripathi said that with better health, education facilities greater participation of women in governance at grass root level coupled with access to family planning service has caused the dip in the fertility rate and population growth.
The fertility rate for Indian women has dipped, according to the World Bank, to 2.3 children per woman in 2017 from 3.31 children per woman in the year 2000. By improving the lives of individuals, especially women, has caused many demographic changes to be wrought.
Under the new approach, there were efforts for enhancing individual health and realization of other rights to bring down the birth rate and mellow the pace of population growth. Additionally, the policies pertaining population growth should address social development, advancement of women, and that family planning should be provided as part of a broader package of health care. Currently, India is following the strategy to curb the rate of births and population growth rate.
India made a major leap in this sector by launching National Health Protection Scheme last September, which provides 500 million people with medical coverage. Moreover, Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojana and nicknamed, "Modicare", is one of the largest public healthcare insurance schemes in the world.
Meanwhile, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated population growth is a result of people living longer, healthier lives and hence it was "a sign of human achievement", despite having an impact on the environment.
He added that the world's population has increased global production as well as consumption and hence the should be kept under check.
He also commented that advancement in gender equality and women's right have reduced issues with poverty, hunger, education and health, along with child and mortality cut to half.
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