Health workers observe World Population Day. (Gopal Senapati)

In keeping with the rest of the world, Howrah too celebrated World Population Day on July 11 with an eye to controlling rising population, female foeticide, teenage pregnancy, unsafe abortion, child marriage and other factors related to population.

“As part of the programme, a tableau with slogans and posters against child marriage, female foeticide, teenage pregnancy, is travelling to different parts of the district to create awareness. Baul singers sang songs to highlight the issues,” said Debasish Roy, the chief medical officer of health (CMOH). All the hospitals in the district have been asked to observe Population Fortnight from July 11 to July 26.

“Every year, 16 million girls under the age of 16 give birth and another 3.2 million girls undergo unsafe abortion. In rural areas of Howrah, reports of child marriages are rampant. We want to stop this practice by educating the people,” said CMOH.

He said that the volunteers of a few NGOs were working along with the district health employees, particularly on the issue of female foeticide. “Most of the villagers firmly believe that a male child is an asset and a female child is a liability. The volunteers and health employees are trying to convince them that both sons and daughters can be assets if they are properly educated,” said a senior health officer of Howrah.

Amrita Ghosh