Population Day marked in Coast

By HENRY KIBIRA

This year’s World Population Day was marked in Kadzonzo village of Kaloleni District last Sunday.

The global annual event seeks to highlight the achievements made with regard to population and development.

Ekwe Ethuro, the chairman of parliamentary network on population and development said there was need to work together in planning so as to enable children access to resources and adults employment.

"Parents should be responsible and plan their families. This will ensure a healthy nation," he said.

He also urged the Government to release the population census for planning purposes.

Nominated MP Shakila Abdalla emphasised the importance of limiting family size.

"A small family is a happy family. There is need for spacing child birth for health reasons," she said.

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) country representative Zama Chi said policies were vital in taking the country to a bright future.

"There is need for good commission of life for the entire population," he said adding that UNFPA will continue working with the government to come up with health and demographic data that will determine the appropriate policies for population and governance.

Ministry of Planning official Stephen Wainaina said the national birth rate for the past 10 years was high at 2.9 per cent.

"On average, a woman gives birth to five children," he said, adding there was laxity in use of contraceptives.