Karachi

Pakistan is the sixth largest country in the world as regards population and the world’s seventh nuclear power, but when it comes to the human development index (HDI), we are at 145 out of a total of 193 countries of the world, which is something that must set us thinking.

These views were expressed by former federal minister, noted intellectual and social activist, Javed Jabbar, at the inauguration of a one-day seminar, titled, ‘Institutionalisation of the birth spacing paradigm in Sindh’ held under the joint aegis of the Population Council (an international USAID-funded NGO working on population issues), the Sindh Health Department, and Falah (Family Advancement for Life and health) at a local hotel on Thursday morning.

Among the things Falah had done, Jabbar said, was to change the thrust of the population planning that had existed over 50 years and instead of the slogan, ‘Bache Do Hi Ache’ (two children is just fine), they had changed the focus to the health of the mother and factors like the health of the family at large that suffers when there are unbridled pregnancies which affect the health of not only the mother but the family at large.

An audio-visual presentation comprising interviews of various people from the spheres of health, social welfare, and religion, highlighted how the endeavour had become more acceptable to the target groups as the focus was changed from limiting the number of births to bringing about a gap of at least two years in between each pregnancy.

According to this presentation, even the clerics who thus far were intrinsically opposed to population planning and considered it an abomination viewed from the religious perspective, were highly favourable inclined. It showed brief interviews with authorities on religion who favoured the idea of spacing births.

According to the presentation, clerics had given the idea of birth spacing religious sanction based on the Shariah. They said that the

scriptures enjoined on women to breast-feed a child for at least two years which would automatically prevent a pregnancy for this period, which in turn would not only ensure the mother’s sound health but also automatically limit the number of children without having to resort to contraceptive methods which religion considered loathsome.

Jabbar dispelled the “erroneous” impression that women in Pakistan were in a majority and said that they were 47 percent of the population which was on account of fallacious taboos associated with the girl child and said that such retrogressive ideas would have to be done away with to ensure a more healthy society both in terms of physical health, and also as regards intellect and value pattern.

Ali Mir, Chief of Party Falah, welcoming the guests, said that in 2007, it was decided to change the thrust of the population control programme to spacing of births, from limiting their number.

He said that the organisation had registered success in acquainting the people with the idea of birth spacing and in the review of social and cultural values. In an exclusive talk with media persons, he said that 30,000 population planning workers had been trained thus far and the project was operating in 26 districts. He said the private sector had played a commendable role. He too had special praise for the role of the clerics.

Dr Seemi Ashfaque highlighted the mobilisation among the masses that had been brought about by communication and documentation. She said this was the ideal time to come forward and help the federal and provincial governments in this endeavour of national importance.

Dr Nighat Shah acquainted the participants with the alarming maternal mortality statistic of 276/100,000, even in this age of advancements in the medical field. She said that pregnancy was no illness and yet so many women died.

Dr Nasreen Khan of USAID said that this was a new beginning and must continue. “The ultimate beneficiary will not be you and I but the nation at large, the future generations,” she said.

Dr Zahoor said that today, after the reversal of the approach, people were coming over with a reversal of attitudes. Dr Suresh Kumar of the provincial Health Department wound up the session lauding the role of all the stakeholders.

