World Population Day (WPD) is celebrated annually on July 11 to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues.
The global population is rising minute by minute. Population growth accelerates population-related challenges. Global population issues include poverty, the economy, and maternal health.
WPD reminds us to keep working to improve the world for everyone. It's observed annually to raise awareness of worldwide population growth challenges.
The then-UNDP Governing Council launched the Day in 1989 after the Day of Five Billion on July 11, 1987, sparked attention. The UN General Assembly (UNGA) voted to continue marking World Population Day in December 1990 by resolution 45/216.
The Catholic Church promotes responsible family planning and parenthood. Responsible parenthood is, first, a husband and wife's conscious acceptance of marriage as created by God (see Codex Iuris Canonici [CIC], Canon 1055 §1). This takes the marital relationship (including the sexual act) as "ordered ... toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children" (CIC, c. 1055 §1).
Responsible parenthood includes the just and prayerful decision-making exercised by spouses in light of this beautiful design of God, recognizing that God wants the best for husband and wife.
The theme for WPD 2023 is Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities.
UN reports say 49.7% of the world's population is made up of women and girls. Population policies undermine their rights, and demographic talks often ignore them.
The report indicates that every two minutes, a woman dies in delivery, which prevents her from acquiring an education, working, or leading. It also increases their risk of violence, harm, and needless maternal mortality.
How do you celebrate World Population Day? You can participate in numerous ways, such as by attending a local event supporting WPD. Additionally, you can organize a fundraising event to raise funds for WPD initiatives.
You can also participate in the WPD event by launching an awareness campaign. This can be accomplished by selecting a specific issue related to population growth, notably in line with this year's theme on the issue of women and girls, and creating materials that will help spread the word in your community, encouraging population policies that include their participation in the discussions.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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