World Population Day highlights poverty and development

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/911436421048/world-population-day-highlights-poverty-and-development
• Thursday, July 9, 2015

By Elsa S. Subong (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY, July 10(PIA)—Population Commission-6 Regional Director Harold Marshall said it is one with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFA) in the observance of World Population Day, to enhance awareness of the public of population issues in relation to poverty and development.

He added that Efforts in ensuring that the dignity, safety and reproductive health of women and girls and of vulnerable youth in emergencies need to be further strengthened.

This, as the nations observe World Population Day, Jul 11 this year.

“We will be coordinating with the local government units in carrying out advocacy activities which can be done simultaneously all over the region,” Marshall said.

The observance spotlights women, children and young people as among the most vulnerable, forcibly displaced from their homes by conflict and disasters in many parts of the world today.

UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotemehin said that when a crisis strikes, humanitarian response must be swift and adaptable to the needs of affected population.

“Women and young people may especially require targeted support and aid must be sustained from the onset of an emergency until recovery,” Osotemehin said in a press release.

The UNFPA Director added that the observance of World Population Day 2015 will surface these issues faced by these marginalized sectors and underscore the neeed for more responsive and purposive solutions.