Since 1990, World Population Day (WPD) has been observed on July 11 annually by the UN and various organizations in collaboration with governments and civil society to increase awareness regarding population issues, including their links to the environment and development. This year’s WPD theme is “Empowering young people to create the families they desire in a fair and optimistic world.”
This theme holds particular significance for Bangladesh, where more than one-third of the population is under 25 years old. As per the Population and Housing Census 2022 (PHC 2022), there are about 31.56 million individuals aged 15-24, categorized as youth by the UN. The figure for the 15-29 age group stands at 45.94 million (PHC 2022).
These young people embody substantial numbers, challenges, and opportunities. It is acknowledged that rights and choices are vital considerations in development, especially in relation to population and development, as emphasized in the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). Central to human development is the freedom to make choices, with one of the most significant choices being the decision of whether, when, and how to form a family.
For young people globally, particularly in developing nations, this freedom is often restricted by disparities, limited access to education and healthcare, gender stereotypes, and financial difficulties. A fundamental aspect of empowering youth is ensuring they have the necessary resources and support to establish families on their own terms. This entails access to education, healthcare, economic prospects, and liberation from societal pressures. In fostering a fair and hopeful Bangladesh, it is imperative to prioritize young people—especially young women—in family, policy, and development strategies.
Young individuals are recognized as potent agents of change, as illustrated by our nation. The student and youth-led July uprising has reaffirmed this fact. However, young people are also particularly vulnerable, especially concerning family formation. Bangladesh must prioritize their empowerment.
Young people should have the freedom to opt to defer marriage and parenthood. Despite advancements, child marriage remains a significant issue in the country. According to the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2022, over 50.7 percent of girls are wed before turning 18, with over 16.7 percent marrying by age 15, often resulting in premature and unplanned pregnancies, school dropout rates, and enduring poverty. The BDHS 2022 report further discloses a teenage pregnancy rate of 23.5 percent. A considerable number of married adolescent girls in Bangladesh are giving birth. For every 1,000 adolescent married girls, 92 infants are born annually, a notably high rate compared to other South Asian countries, underscoring a significant challenge linked to early marriage, premature childbearing, and associated health and social concerns for young women. There exists a notable disparity between the total fertility rate (TFR) of 2.3 and the desired fertility rate of 1.3 (BDHS 2022). Empowering youth to choose is crucial. Delaying marriage affords girls and boys the opportunity to finish their education, achieve financial independence, and make informed choices about family life. Empowerment commences with the freedom of choice and is reinforced by laws, communities, and families that uphold the dignity of young individuals.
Many young people in Bangladesh lack access to youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services and rights (SRHR). The prevailing contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) is notably low among individuals aged 15-19 (53.9 percent), as indicated in the BDHS 2022, while the overall CPR for those aged 15-49 stands at 64 percent. The CPR rate for individuals aged 20-24 is similarly low (58.3 percent). The unmet need for family planning is highest among those aged 15-19 (12.3 percent) and 10.8 percent among those aged 20-24 (BDHS 2022). This leads to unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and adverse maternal health outcomes. To empower youth, family planning services must be accessible, affordable, equitable, of high quality, and confidential. The BHDS 2022 reports that decision-making concerning family planning is lowest among those aged 15-19 (85.5 percent) and 20-24 (81.6 percent). Community health workers, clinics, and other stakeholders should be trained and encouraged to cater to adolescents. Governmental and non-governmental organizations must collaborate to enhance awareness and counter harmful myths and taboos. When young people are healthy and informed, they can make decisions that benefit both their families and communities.
Ensuring gender equality and shared responsibility is imperative. Conventional gender roles often burden women exclusively with childbearing and family care responsibilities, curbing their freedom and opportunities.