By Nneka Nwogwugwu
As the World Population is officially becoming 8 billion in few months to come, the United Nations Population Fund has revealed that more than 100 million persons are forcibly displaced worldwide.
The UNFPA also added that Climate change, violence, discrimination and other social issues have caused many to be displaced.
In a statement on Thursday to mark the 2022 World Population Day, the organisation stated that the world population day offers a moment to celebrate human progress.
“Let’s keep this fact in mind when, in the next few months, the total number of people in the world tops 8 billion. This milestone will attract much attention and debate, and likely scaremongering over “too many” people. That would be a mistake,” the statement said.
The theme of this year is “A world of 8 billion: Towards a resilient future for all – Harnessing opportunities and ensuring rights and choices for all.”
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NatureNews reports that in 2011, the world reached a population of 7 billion.
Despite the increase in population, UNFPA warned that focus should be on people, not population.
The statement said, “Reducing people to numbers strips them of their humanity. Instead of making the numbers work for systems, make the systems work for the numbers by promoting the health and well-being of people.
“Focusing only on population numbers and growth rates often leads to coercive and counterproductive measures and the erosion of human rights, for example, to women being pressured to have children or prevented from doing so.
“People are the solution, not the problem. At UNFPA, we advocate for measuring and anticipating demographic changes.”
The Organisation further urged that each country should have the information it requires to meet the needs of diverse population groups and ensure that individuals can realize their full potential.
According to the statement, “Achieving this demographic resilience starts with a commitment to counting not just numbers of people but also opportunities for progress and barriers that stand in its way. This calls for transforming discriminatory norms that hold individuals and societies back. It leads us to economies that work for all people instead of just a few, and to a fair use of resources so that we can mitigate risks and meet the needs of current and future generations.”
