The Chairman, National Population Commission, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, today 4th June,2023 at a media briefing In Abuja in the commemoration of the 2023 World Population Day Titled ‘Unleashing the Power of Gender Equality: Uplifting the Voices of Women and Girls to Unlock our World’s Infinite Possibilities’ launched two demographic dividend documents:
*Investment case for harnessing the demographic dividend in Nigeria.
*National demographic dividend strategic programme and plan (2023 – 2030).
The media briefing organized in collaboration with UNFPA Nigeria,had in attendance;UNFPA Resident Representative, Ms. Ulla Elisabeth Mueller and other partners from the Federal Ministry of Health, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Education as a Vaccine (EVA), Well-being Foundation of Africa, Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria, Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP), Population Association of Nigeria (PAN), and Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health (AFRH).
Kwarra said the theme of the year 2023 World Population Day drawn from the world’s attainment of the 8 billion population mark, addressed SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls and connected with issues highlighted in this year’s State of the World Population Report (SWOP),
Hon Nasir Isa Kwarra urged Member States including Nigeria to ensure vulnerable population groups, particularly women and girls have chances to express their rights and have indiscriminatory access to make choices in a world of 8 billion people.
“Our population is currently estimated at slightly over 216 million, placing Nigeria as the sixth most populated nation in the world. Nigeria was listed among the nine countries in the world whose rapid population growth contributed to the 8 billion reach on November 15th, 2022. Also, predictions show that the expected half of the global population growth between now and 2050 will be from the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region and Nigeria will be a major contributor to that regional growth driven by past/existing momentum growth.
“Women and Girls represent almost (49.7%), half of our entire population. However, this unique population group, more often are neglected across all societies and communities and are not accorded the deserved attention and experience limited access to opportunities.
“The context of this year’s commemoration is a reminder that arouses attention and which requires actions that will facilitate the sustainable creation of opportunities that will empower women and girls for a secure future for all.
“Addressing the perspectives of women and girls’ Rights and Choices to pave the way for achieving SDG 5 “Achieving Gender Equity” – entails:
Securing unlimited Access to quality formal education and being well-educated in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), including acquiring livelihood skills and entrepreneurship;
“Securing planned and organized Access to decent work and employment outside the home and enjoying equal wages at par with their male counterpart to achieve economic empowerment;
“Involvement in decision-making roles in many aspects of life, including leadership positions;
Undisruptive access to quality and affordable health care services including maternity services plus sexual and reproductive health care services
“Protection from marginalization and exclusivity at all levels, space and spheres;
o To enjoy life/living free from all forms of discriminatory laws, customs/norms and culture that limits their potential including protection from gender-based violence and harmful practices like early/child/forced marriages that most time, result in unintended pregnancies that usually disrupt their education (most times for life), as well as expose their body to incontinent/inconvenience like Fistula and maternal deaths;
“The right to reproductive choices – chose when to marry, when to start having children, decide freely the number and spacing of children without any coercion or compulsion and discrimination; which is embedded in –
“Rights to correct, detailed information about equitable access to family planning and family health and life education (in the language and terms they understand to help make informed choices);
Kwarra said the extent to which this rights is promoted and exercised, explained the impact of fertility on the social well-being of the population, particularly of women, adolescent girls and young people.
“Therefore, “Unleash the Power of Equality” is embedded in investing in and creating equitable access to quality education as necessary and sufficient conditions to allow women and girls opportunities to exercise their rights and choices. Thus, empowering women and girls is fundamental for achieving enduring peace, progress and prosperity in Nigeria and the world at large”N0C Chairman stated..
He maintained that achieving gender equality, remained a task that must be done.
” It therefore behoves all of us (government, parliamentarians at all levels, stakeholders, civil society organizations; traditional and religious leaders, the media, donors, and partners) to secure and guarantee the empowerment of women and girls by lifting their voices across the nation so that they can be heard, acknowledged and responded to.
He added that the responsibility rested with the Government to prioritize decisions and actions that provide women and girls all the opportunities through education, health-care services, jobs, resources and services to guarantee they are exercising these Rights and Choices.
“This is inclusive of those living with disability, irrespective of where they reside.
Kwarra seized the occasion to implore member states to support the implementation of activities to mark the event through various media platforms/channels and in various languages to sensitize the populace and targeted population on the theme – emphasizing what benefits members together, while unleashing the willpower to achieve gender equality in Nigeria.
