Staff Reporter
Punjab Population Innovation Fund (PPIF) here on Wednesday organized a seminar in connection with World Population Day 2019. Addressing the seminar Chairman Planning and Development (P&D) Habib ur Rehman Gillani said that Pakistan was badly facing the problem of the increasing population that also gives birth to other problems.
Adding that despite the remarkable progress, there were still millions of women who were not permitted or empowered to freely decide the timing and spacing among the birth of children. He further added that there were number of reasons behind this population issue, education was on top of the list. People were illiterate and were not aware about the importance of contraceptive usage and its benefits. Secretary Population Welfare Department Muhammad Hassan Iqbal said that child marriage was a human right violation.
It has many effects on girls health. It increases the risk of death during childbirth, high neonatal and infant mortality and increased vulnerability to obstetric fistula and undermines their overall future prospects of development. He also said that Pakistan was one of the pioneer countries who integrated family planning services into their health services back in the 60’s.—APP
