Our collective future depends on how we think about and respond to the ties between population and development. The choices we make will either pave the way for a brighter, more resilient world or lead us towards unprecedented costs and irreversible consequences.
Every nation must put people and their ability to exercise rights and choices at the center of their development agenda so that people are healthy and empowered and societies are peaceful, resilient and sustainable.
For women and girls especially, this means respecting their right to realize their desired fertility – and for that we must achieve gender equality.
The Africa Human Capital Heads of State Summit demonstrated the political will and investments needed to dismantle the economic, social and environmental barriers that prevent women, girls and young people from achieving their potential and to deliver the greatest returns for the largest numbers of people, and those most left behind.
The UN reported in November 2022 that the Global population has reached 8 billion and the population in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa is projected to double between 2022 and 2050, putting additional pressure on already strained resources and challenging policies aimed to reduce poverty and inequalities. Tanzania one of the youthful nations in sub-Saharan Africa, with a significant portion of its population being young with about 21.3 million aged between 15 to 35 years according to Tanzania Census of 2022. When a youthful population enjoys good health, continuing education, and can contribute to economic growth - the national economic payoff can be substantial, and a demographic dividend can then be achieved.
However, achieving a demographic dividend is not automatic - it requires multiple investments. The most essential are building the capabilities of people to realize their rights and achieve their potential. This means immediate investment is needed in employment, education and health, especially sexual and reproductive health.
Tragically, the chance to realize one's potential is often derailed, particularly for millions of girls, who are pushed from school, subjected to child marriage, early and unplanned pregnancies, poor access to health care and limited education.
As HE President Samia Sulhulu Hassan underscores; educating our young people on sexual and reproductive health including family planning, is essential for any country to realize its human capital potential and achieve national development aspirations.
Let's build on this vision and make the right choices today for a better tomorrow.
- Mark Bryan Schreiner, UNFPA Representative, United Republic of Tanzania
For Media queries and further information, please contact:
Warren Bright, UNFPA Tanzania Communications Analyst, Mobile: +255 764 43 44 45, Email: bwarren@unfpa.org
