KATHMANDU, Aug 22: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) organized a media consultation on Sunday at Vivanta Hotel, Jhamsikhel in Lalitpur aiming to delve into Nepal's recent population trends and the nation's progress in implementing the commitments outlined in the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).

Furthermore, the consultation sought valuable insights from media professionals to aid in the preparation of Nepal's National Review Report for ICPD +25 and its associated commitments. 

Country Representative of UNFPA Nepal Won Young Hong stated that young people in South Korea are reluctant to get married and have children for various reasons, including the high cost of raising a family. Stating that married couples after 55 years start living separately in their way even though they do not divorce formally, Hong said, “The socio-economic dynamics play a great role in the decision-making process. So, it is high time to question are reproductive rights only a matter of women and health?”

She said that not only women but also men-centered programs should be introduced for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. Won stated that the declining population rate in East Asia including South Korea, and Japan has taught lessons that will be useful for Nepal. 

Nepal has played a significant role in advancing the program of action adopted during the International Conference on Population and Development in 1994. Speaking at the discussion program, Yogendra Gurung, head of the Central Population Department at Tribhuvan University, said that the demographic trends of Nepal have changed. Nepal should take advantage of this demographic change because the population of young people is large. Discussing that the population of women is less than that of men in terms of demographic ratio, he said that due to this, an appropriate population policy should be adopted.

According to the data of the 2021 Census presented by Gurung, 53.66 % of the population lives in the Terai, 40.25 % in the hill region, and 6.09 % in the mountainous region. More people are moving from the mountains to the Terai owing to the development of cities in the Terai region. He said that the Madhesh Province is getting more populous with 21% of the population now living there. It has a high fertility rate though it faces daunting challenges and lacks enough political representation. 

Over the years, Nepal has made good progress, especially in developing progressive policy frameworks and in providing essential basic services like education and health care. Yet, the 2021 Census shows that one in five women (22%) marry as children, with 3% married before turning 15; two women die every day due to pregnancy-related complications; only around 10% of people aged 25-30 years have an undergraduate degree; and there is a growing trend of sex selection with a clear preference of boys, mentioned Gurung.

Gurung expressed that the population data collected through the census has also enabled the government to track progress toward the ICPD agenda goals and hold itself accountable. He said, “By regularly monitoring key indicators such as maternal mortality, unmet need for family planning, and gender-based violence, the government can assess the effectiveness of its policies and interventions. This accountability framework ensures that the government remains committed to achieving the ICPD agenda and improving the well-being of its population.”

On that occasion, women's rights activist Bandana Rana, who is also a member of the CEDAW, an international high-level commission for women's rights, said that countries including Nepal should work seriously to fulfill the agenda set by the Nairobi Conference on Population and Development held in 2019. Discussing the ICPD agenda, she shared that it has played a crucial role in achieving transformative results in Nepal. Through the voluntary commitments made at the ICPD+25, Nepal has focused on accelerating wider development progress in society and the economy, with a particular emphasis on sexual and reproductive health and rights. This has led to positive outcomes in various areas, including maternal health, education, and gender equality.

She said that one of the key results achieved is the commitment to three life-changing goals by 2030: zero unmet need for family planning, zero preventable maternal deaths, and zero gender-based violence and harmful practices such as child marriage. “These goals have driven efforts to improve access to family planning services, reduce maternal mortality rates, and address gender-based violence, creating a transformative impact on the lives of women and adolescent girls in Nepal,”  Rana said, adding, “The ICPD agenda has influenced policy and financing in Nepal. The country has prioritized the implementation of policies and laws that promote gender equality, reproductive rights, and bodily autonomy. It has also committed to financing the full achievement of the ICPD Programme of Action, ensuring that resources are allocated to support the goals and targets set by the agenda.”

Rana said that the high-level commission is working to achieve these goals. She said that since ICPD will complete 30 years in 2024, the importance of these three zero targets has increased.

The discussion program was attended by various women's rights activists, journalists, stakeholders, and experts who discussed the progress made by the ICPD so far. They stressed that ICPD has still a long way to go before it can claim to have lived up to the commitments pledged in Cairo, according to the stakeholders. Therefore, emerging issues are to be highlighted by joint efforts as future direction to achieve ICDP commitments.

In the context of Nepal, media consultation on the ICPD agenda has not only disseminated information but has also ignited discussions and brought various stakeholders to the table.

“The media has played a role in holding policy makers accountable, fostering public engagement, and advocating for the realization of the ICPD's goals. As Nepal continues its journey towards sustainable development and the fulfillment of the ICPD commitments, media consultation will remain a potent tool in shaping attitudes, influencing policies, and driving positive change for the betterment of society as a whole.”

 
• ICPD
 
• UNFPA
 
• media