SUMMARY of the Article “Gender and population” by Nida Kirmani, Dawn [Published on December 23rd, 2023]
The 2023 census reveals Pakistan’s population surpassing 240 million, reflecting a significant increase of 33.8 million people since 2017. The growth rate, alarming at 2.55%, deviates from the intended downward trend, marking a failure in achieving the replacement-level population growth target of 2.1% by 2020. Comparatively, other countries in the region exhibit lower growth rates. The article emphasizes that high population growth is linked to poverty and underdevelopment, with Balochistan, the most underdeveloped province, having the highest growth rate and maternal mortality rate. Poverty is a key factor behind high growth rates, and despite technological advances, millions of women face unmet contraceptive needs, contributing to high abortion rates and maternal mortality. Gender inequality plays a role, with Pakistan ranking poorly in the Global Gender Inequality Index. The lack of women’s empowerment, education, decision-making power, and access to healthcare contributes to higher birth rates. The article argues that gender equality must be prioritized in the political agenda to effectively address » Read More…