New Delhi: World Population Day is observed every year on 11 July to draw attention towards the problems of overpopulation. The day tries to make the public aware about the adverse impact of overpopulation on the overall development of a country, as well as its negative effects on the environment.
The theme for this year is “A world of 8 billion: Towards a resilient future for all – Harnessing opportunities and ensuring rights and choices for all”. As the theme suggests, there are 8 billion people living today but not all of them have equal rights and opportunities.
The World Population Day was started with the United Nation’s General Assembly in 1989.
It was on July 11, 1987 that the world population stats crossed 5 billion. It was then decided to observe the World Population Day on a global scale so that more awareness can be created around the growing population.
The World Population Day was later commemorated by the UN General Assembly in 1990 with Resolution 45/26.
The main reason for celebrating the World Population Day is to generate awareness around the issues that may rise along with the rising population. The objective is to spread awareness about how overpopulation can harm the ecosystem.
Topics of discussion on this annual day include, family planning, poverty, sexual equality, civil rights, maternal health, among many others.
