Population growth issue: Media urged to raise awareness about family planning

PESHAWAR: Recognizing socio-economic challenges posed by the rapid population growth in Pakistan, media professionals have been urged to play a proactive role in raising awareness about the importance of family planning and reproductive health.

This was the central theme of a coalition meeting for media on reproductive health and family planning, organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). Advisor to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Media and Communication, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, attended the meeting as chief guest.

The organisers said the event was aimed at establishing a media group to foster dialogue and coverage on family planning, sexual and reproductive health, and violence against women.Welcoming the participants, SDPI representative Wasif Naqvi emphasized the media’s critical role in dismantling the stigma around family planning and reproductive health.

He explained that SDPI was forming media groups across provinces to monitor progress, identify policy gaps, and highlight challenges through investigative stories and programming.Mahjabeen Qazi, Provincial Programme Coordinator for UNFPA in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, provided an overview of UNFPA’s efforts in collaboration with health and population welfare departments.

She revealed alarming population growth trends, noting that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s population is projected to rise from the current 51 million to 89 million by 2050.Mahjabeen Qazi highlighted the impact of excessive childbirth, including malnutrition among children due to insufficient maternal attention.

Additionally, she pointed out that by 2040, Pakistan would require around 14 million new jobs to meet the growing population’s needs, compounding the already high unemployment rate.She said societal pressures as a key factor behind uncontrolled population growth. The speaker explained that many couples were unwilling to have more children but often felt compelled by family elders, such as in-laws, to expand their families.

The UNFPA representative also shared the Council of Common Interest’s (CCI) eight recommendations for population control, which advocate for the concept of “Tawazan” (balance) in family growth.

Dr. Shahid Miskeen Khan, from UNFPA KP, delivered a presentation on the Population Action Plan and National Commitment.He pointed out that a lack of access to family planning medicines in many parts of the country is a major barrier. However, he noted that the government was working on producing these medicines locally to ensure widespread availability.

Barrister Saif stressed that the rapid population increase was a critical issue that cannot be ignored. “To address this challenge, we must work to change societal behaviors and remove the stigma surrounding family planning,” he said. He urged the media and religious scholars to educate people on the need for family planning, framing it as essential for optimal resource utilization rather than a theological concern.

Barrister Saif suggested leveraging social media platforms to spread the message, recommending the involvement of prominent vloggers and influencers to reach wider audiences effectively.The meeting concluded with a commitment to mobilize media resources to promote awareness and drive meaningful action on family planning and reproductive health.