India will overtake China as the most populous nation by 2027. Presently housing 17% of the global population in 2.5% of global land, Controlling Population growth remains an agenda which cannot be successfully achieved without empowering women.
Role of women in controlling population growth:
1. Empowering women leads to more conscious decision making w.r.t. Family planning, contraceptives etc.
2. The prevalence of higher marriage age, lesser number of children and greater economic standing in women with higher education statistics.
3. Adequate education, healthcare helps prevent early marriages, which is associated with lower health indicators and higher number of children.
4. Employment opportunities lead to greater autonomy in decision making of women.
5. Legislations and Policies like Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao have had positive social impacts
6. The states of southern India which have stabilised population levels also show higher socio-economic indicators compared to states with higher TFR.
Population growth control needs addressing by the Government, civil society and citizens collectively, while keeping women at centre. As Pt. Nehru said, when woman moves, family moves, village moves, nation moves.
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