World Population Day

On July 11th every year is an event known as World Population Day. You may not have heard of such a day before but it has been celebrated for almost three decades. 

The aim of this day is to focus the world’s attention on the importance of population issues.

On the 11th of July, World Population Day, we need to raise awareness about the sexual and reproductive health needs and vulnerabilities of women and girls. 

Teenage girls in Niger, and all over the world, face enormous challenges. Many are considered by their communities or parents to be ready for marriage and motherhood, despite the fact that they are still growing and are not prepared for the responsibility this social change would bring.

My country Niger is one of only 25 countries in the world with a GNI per capita below $2,100. More than half of the population lives on less that $1.90 a day. 

With over one-third of its population under 24 years of age, Niger has a young and growing population.

We need to help young girls in Niger-and in other African countries- reach maturity before they begin having children. 

My country Niger faces many challenges including low nutritional status, poor educational attainment, high unemployment, and increasing insecurity due to radical movements in the Sahel.

Our youth leaders need to understand that these challenges are not just present in Niger, but throughout Africa. 

The world's population is nearing 8 billion. That's not great news! How mind-bogglingly huge is that number? 

And the Sub-Saharan region is on track to overtake central and south Asia as most populous. 

The high fertility rates is incredible! In Niger, where women on average have seven children, the highest birth rate in the world, the population is projected to almost triple to 66m over the same time period. 

80% of Nigeriens live in Poverty. The landlocked nation is largely desert, less 20% of the land is arable, and that number is shrinking due to climate change. 

It the population is set to double in 17 years, it will drives poverty, famine, political instability, and violence. 

The Nigerien government needs and must turn to this solution: modern contraception.

But how to get women to use it?

Well, the Nigerien government needs to promote contraception in order to prevent a series of catastrophes-environmental, economic, and security. Women in Niger need to have smaller families.

Many women ask if the IUD might fall out, or if the implant might break in their arms. Therefore, the government needs to inform all these women about the different methods in their dialect.

Niger's population challenges are compounded by the prevalence of conservative clerics, who encourage followers to have as many children as possible. A large family size is a cultural ideal in Niger.

Political leaders worry more about being re-elected than about the future of the country. 

We need a strong campaign for girls education! If we want to bring change, we must encourage families to send young girls to school. If we keep girls in school, we will keep the community out of the cycle of poverty.

In 2008n Niger ranked 174 out of 178 countries on the Human Development Index, with more than 60% of its population living on less than US$1 per day. 

Therefore, the lack of education has clear implications for the overall development of the country. 

In August 2020, more than 12 million Nigériens and Nigériennes face serious food shortages. 

Niger and other African countries must live with past mistakes, but appropriately designed family planning programs could reduce the long-term impact of those mistakes.