Latest news with #WorldPopulationDay
Malay Mail
11 hours ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Beyond blood and marriage: How young Malaysians are redefining ‘family' today and what experts say must follow
KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 — As Malaysia looks to grow its population and support families, experts say it's time to rethink what 'family' really means. Universiti Malaya senior lecturer Vilashini Somiah said Malaysians should move beyond traditional views of family based solely on marriage or blood ties. 'Many young people today see family as a community that you may be able to build, and not just something you're born into,' the anthropologist said at a recent forum held in conjunction with World Population Day. She said this could look like close-knit communities – including religious groups, siblings or lifelong friends – that act as chosen families. 'What is 'family by choice'? Maybe an understanding that young people can grow older with close friends, siblings, close-knit communities – without having to go through traditional routes such as marriage or monogamy,' she said. Vilashini acknowledged that such ideas may be difficult for institutions to accept, as many still cling to traditional frameworks. 'But the concept is changing among youths,' she said. 'So if institutions fail to recognise that, I think we are failing to recognise the policy change that needs to follow.' Universiti Malaya senior lecturer Vilashini Somiah speaks at a forum organised by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) in conjunction with World Population Day at Lanai Kijang, Kuala Lumpur. July 21, 2025. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin Family by choice She gave examples of new family forms: couples who marry but choose not to have children; individuals who adopt without marrying; and youths who see meaningful lives beyond marriage and parenthood. She said some religious bodies continue to debate about the idea of married couples who do not want to have children, but there is no conclusive answer yet. With youths living in a digital world that shapes their understanding of the world, she said institutions need to understand this nuance. She added that only then can effective policies be developed to help young Malaysians understand their roles and responsibilities to the country. Before speaking about the evolving concept of 'family', Vilashini noted that many young people still wish to have children, but face financial pressures and uncertainty about their future. The UN view: Include everyone UNFPA Malaysia Country Representative Dr Julitta Onabanjo says there should be a nuanced and inclusive understanding of the word 'family'. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Malaysia country representative Dr Julitta Onabanjo said the definition of family must also reflect these changing realities. 'I think the family is fundamental. However the family is also changing, and so we shouldn't exclude those who choose not to have children or get married from the notion of family,' she told Malay Mail. 'Because I can be a single male who has nephews and nieces who I really look after and I want to feel I'm still a family person, even though I don't have children,' she said. 'And I think this is very important, otherwise we lose this notion and we exclude.' 'What we are trying to say is that even in the definition of family formation, we need to take into account everybody and the choices that they make.' LPPKN: 'Family' always exists, values still matter LPPKN chairman Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim says family is important, but it can take on wider scenarios such as those unable to give birth or those who adopt children. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) chairman Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim agreed that the public now has a broader view of family. 'So the definition of family is getting broader as how people perceived it,' she told Malay Mail. She said some may not be able to have children due to health reasons or marrying later in life, but that does not mean they do not have a family. 'They adopt or they have very close nephews or nieces, so that becomes like their child. So there is a family,' she said. 'But most importantly, in Malaysia, we make sure that 'family' always exists.' She cautioned against overly individualistic cultures seen in other countries and said Malaysians should continue to value both traditional and chosen family structures. She said LPPKN promotes the family institution and encourages having children, adding that it is important to create a supportive environment for those who wish to do so. New masculinity, new policies With Malaysia projected to face a population decline from 2060, Vilashini said the country must also address gender roles in the family. She said caregiving – often seen as a woman's responsibility – needs to be viewed more equally. 'I'm not just talking about mothers. Many among us were raised by grandmothers, aunts or female babysitters,' she said. She said men are often seen only as protectors, providers or procreators, but this narrow view contributes to toxic masculinity. Vilashini said men also take on caregiving roles, such as single fathers or sons caring for their ageing parents or disabled family members, but these are rarely acknowledged. She called this the 'invisible' burden of care that men carry, which society hesitates to discuss. Instead, she urged for more inclusive views of masculinity that allow men to show vulnerability and share their emotions. She also stressed the need to encourage fathers to take active roles in caring for their children, not just caring about them. Vilashini said population policies must also include more inclusive language and narratives. She gave the example of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), who may be infertile but can still contribute meaningfully to society and family life. 'This is a shared responsibility, it has to be done hand in hand,' she said. 'If people don't see themselves as being able to help the government, rather than the government directing them, then we are not going to have effective policies.'
Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Independence Day celebrations to be held in Amaravati
Vijayawada: This year's 79th Independence Day celebrations on August 15 will be held in the state capital, Amaravati, for the first time. Chief secretary K Vijayanand announced the decision after a review meeting with officials from various departments at the Secretariat. The event will take place behind the State Secretariat, in the same area recently used for the P-4 and World Population Day events. Given the monsoon season and the new venue, Vijayanand emphasised the need for fool-proof preparations. He directed officials to ensure meticulous planning and execution, leaving no room for error. CRDA commissioner Kannababu was specifically tasked with leveling the ground and setting up German tents over the main stage and seating areas to counter potential rain. Additional DGP Madhusudan Reddy was instructed to manage traffic flow to prevent disruptions, while Guntur District Collector Nagalakshmi will oversee invitations and protocol. In a move to showcase government achievements, the information department was directed to arrange special tableaux highlighting development and welfare schemes. The celebrations will also feature the chief guest's message on these initiatives and will be broadcast live. Principal secretary Mukesh Kumar Meena outlined the schedule, with the parade starting at 8.30 am and the Chief Minister arriving at 8.58 am. The event is set to conclude by 10.30 am. Buildings like the Raj Bhavan, CM Camp Office, and state Secretariat will be decorated with lights for the occasion.
Indian Express
23-07-2025
- General
- Indian Express
In the demographic dividend conversation, India must include its villages
Written by Aliva Das India's villages are not the margins, they are the makers of our demographic future. With over 65 per cent of our population still living in rural areas, any conversation on population development must begin here. The idea of 'population justice', ensuring fairness and rights in how we understand and respond to demographic realities, demands that we listen to rural communities not as data points but as co-authors of India's next chapter. This year's World Population Day theme, empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world, is especially relevant. With 1.8 billion young people globally, the largest cohort in human history, India alone accounts for around 356 million in that age group (roughly 20 per cent share), making it the world's largest youth population. Nearly 40 per cent of India's own population is under 25 (over 65 per cent resides in rural India), significantly higher than many other countries. In our work across tribal and remote geographies, we meet young women who are returning to education through bridge programmes, stepping up as gender champions. Village institutions like panchayats are starting to talk about menstrual health, migration safety, and digital skilling. These changes are subtle but compelling. Yet, rural young people face systemic gaps. Gendered roles and norms continue to limit opportunities, girls have to bear the burden of care-giving from a young age, mobility is restricted, and decision-making spaces rarely include young women's voices. Similarly, they face layered barriers to economic participation, like limited access to assets and also a lack of childcare. Climate change has added new uncertainties, from crop failures to displacement, especially for rural workers and marginal farmers. Despite the digital push, rural communities still struggle with digital literacy, especially among women and the elderly. These are not peripheral issues. They are central to any policy that hopes to be future-ready and people-first. We often hear of India's 'demographic dividend' but the real dividend lies in dignity, not just in numbers. When a young person completes their education, when a farmer adapts to climate risks through locality compacts, and when a village includes youth voices in its planning, it signals more than local progress. It reflects the renewal of the nation's promise. To reclaim rural India in the population conversation, we need more than schemes: We need a rural-first approach to population policy that puts the people and their dignity at the centre. This begins with participatory planning, where village institutions, SHGs, and panchayats are empowered to shape decisions around the developmental needs of the locals. It demands decentralised delivery, where access to services and entitlements reaches the very last home, not as an exception, but as the norm. Gender equity must be embedded across all efforts, not as an add-on, but as a core commitment. From empowering women leaders in panchayats to unlocking opportunities for the rural youth, these efforts reflect a quiet but powerful shift taking root across India's villages. Change is no longer something being brought in from the outside, it is being shaped from within, by communities asserting their rights, reimagining local governance, and building pathways to dignity and opportunity. As we move towards the next Census, we must look beyond data points to the lived experiences already unfolding on the ground. It's time to reframe the population narrative, not in terms of fear or control, but through trust in rural India's aspirations and agency. Demography is not destiny, but dignity must be. And that dignity begins where most of India lives: In its villages. The writer is an associate director at Transform Rural India (TRI)
The Sun
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Rising cost of living delays youth marriages, says deputy minister
KUALA LUMPUR: The increasing cost of living has become the primary reason many young Malaysians delay marriage and starting families, according to Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad. She cited a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report stating that nearly one in five adults across 14 countries may not achieve their desired family size due to financial constraints. 'Of this group, 39 per cent cited financial constraints as the main barrier, including the cost of living, childcare, housing, and job insecurity. This is where our responsibility lies, to listen, understand, and act,' she said during the 2025 World Population Day celebration. To address the issue, the government has introduced initiatives such as maternity and paternity leave, childcare subsidies, and financial aid for low-income families. Awareness programmes on reproductive and family health are also being conducted. Malaysia's fertility rate has declined to 1.7 children per woman, below the replacement level of 2.1. Noraini noted that only 93,500 births were recorded in the first quarter of 2025, an 11 per cent drop compared to the previous year. 'These numbers are not just statistics; they represent a growing urgency for effective policies, support systems, and public awareness,' she said. The government is implementing the Fertility Treatment Aid and Infertility Advocacy Programme (BuAI), aiming to assist 30,000 couples by 2025. Additional programmes like PEKERTI, SMARTSTART, and Kafe\@TEEN are also being expanded to promote family planning and reproductive health. This year's World Population Day celebration has been extended to the state level, engaging over 5,000 participants. The event also featured the launch of UNFPA's State of World Population 2025 report, highlighting global fertility challenges and opportunities. – Bernama
Sinar Daily
21-07-2025
- Health
- Sinar Daily
Cost of living main reason youths delay starting families
Nearly one in five adults across 14 countries acknowledged that they may not be able to have the number of children they desire. 21 Jul 2025 08:04pm Noraini said this year's World Population Day celebration has been expanded to the state level with various programmes involving more than 5,000 participants throughout July and August. - Photo illustrated by Sinar Daily KUALA LUMPUR - The pressure of the rising cost of living is the main factor why many youths choose to delay marriage and start a family, even though the desire remains, said Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad. According to a report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), she said nearly one in five adults across 14 countries acknowledged that they may not be able to have the number of children they desire. "Of this group, 39 per cent cited financial constraints as the main barrier, including the cost of living, childcare, housing, and job insecurity. This is where our responsibility lies, to listen, understand, and act,' she said in her speech at the 2025 World Population Day celebration here today. She said the government has implemented various initiatives to help young couples build families in a more stable and structured environment, including providing maternity and paternity leave, childcare subsidies, financial assistance for low-income families, as well as organising awareness programmes on reproductive and family health. Commenting on Malaysia's declining fertility rate, currently at 1.7 children per woman, which is below the population replacement level of 2.1, Noraini said the government is implementing the Fertility Treatment Aid and Infertility Advocacy Programme (BuAI), targeting 30,000 couples by 2025. "In just the first quarter of 2025, only 93,500 births were recorded, a drop of more than 11 per cent compared to the previous year. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent a growing urgency for effective policies, support systems, and public awareness,' she said. In addition, she said family and reproductive health education programmes such as PEKERTI, SMARTSTART, and Kafe@TEEN are also being implemented on an ongoing basis. "These efforts are part of a holistic, inclusive and youth-friendly approach. We want young people to start their families in a stable environment, supported by relevant policies and surrounded by hope, not worry,' she added. Meanwhile, Noraini said this year's World Population Day celebration has been expanded to the state level with various programmes involving more than 5,000 participants throughout July and August. The event also saw the launch of the UNFPA's State of World Population 2025 report titled 'The Real Fertility Crisis: The Pursuit of Reproductive Agency in a Changing World', which highlights global challenges and opportunities in the context of fertility, reproductive choices, and intergenerational justice. The launch of the report in Malaysia reflects international recognition of the country's commitment to addressing population issues comprehensively and through evidence-based policies. - BERNAMA
