World population Day: Here's why family planning matters

New Delhi: World population Day is celebrated on 11 of July each year. It seeks to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues.

The United Nations report revealed that around the world, some 225 million women who want to avoid pregnancy are not using safe and effective family planning methods, for reasons ranging from lack of access to information or services to lack of support from their partners or communities.

And most of these women with an unmet demand for contraceptives live in 69 of the poorest countries on earth.

Hence, the event also encourages activities to create awareness about the importance of family planning throughout the world.

Family planning not only helps in curbing growing population, but also provides many benefits to the mother, father, children and the family. Here are a few reasons to ponder why family planning is important:

Prevents pregnancy-related health risks in women

It prevents pregnancy-related health risks in women. The fact is that a woman’s ability to choose if and when to become pregnant has a direct impact on her health and well-being.

Family planning helps delay pregnancies in young women at increased risk of health problems and death from early childbearing, while also preventing unintended pregnancies, including those of older women who face increased risks related to pregnancy.

Family planning/contraception reduces the need for abortion, especially unsafe abortion. It also reinforces people’s rights to determine the number and spacing of their children.

Reduces infant mortality risks

As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), keeping a gap between two kids reduces the risk of untimely death of the born child as well as helps mothers in getting back to normal health, thereby restoring the lost nutrients during gestation period.

Prevents sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

Family planning, such as using condoms, helps prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Adopting safer sexual behaviour, in particular consistent and correct condom use, can help prevent unintended pregnancies and against STIs including HIV and gonorrhoea.