UN condemns economic, social disparities as world population nears 7 billion

[News_Editor]

UN condemns economic, social disparities as world population nears 7 billion

2011-10-28 00:25:07 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- As the world population is projected to reach 7 billion next week, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has urged the world to take actions to reduce the disparities in which hundreds of millions of people in developing nations lack the most basic ingredients for a decent life.

The UNFPA report, "The State of World Population 2011", notes that the record population size can be viewed as a success because it means people are living longer and more children are surviving worldwide. However, it also says that not everyone has benefited from this achievement or the higher quality of life that this implies.

"With planning and the right investments in people now, to empower them to make choices that are not only good for themselves, but also for our global commons, our world of 7 billion can have thriving sustainable cities, productive labor forces that fuel economies, and youth populations that contribute to the well-being of their societies," UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin said in the foreword of the study.

"Our work is far from done," Osotimehin said, noting that charting a path now to development that promotes equality rather than exacerbating or reinforcing inequalities is more important than ever. "We must tear down economic, legal and social barriers, to put women and men and boys and girls on an equal footing in all spheres of life."

According to the report, 215 million women of child-bearing age in developing countries lack access to voluntary family planning. In addition, millions of adolescent girls and boys have little access to information on how to prevent pregnancies or protect themselves from HIV.

The report said that the world should be investing in the health and education of youth. Of the world's 7 billion, 1.8 billion are young people between the ages of 10 and 24.

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