Mains Practice Questions

Approach

• Start your answer by briefly discussing the present scenario of population in India.
• Discuss the role of women in controlling population growth in India.
• Conclude accordingly.

Introduction

• In recent years, population growth has become a major concern for many countries, including India. The population of India is projected to reach 1.7 billion by 2050, making it the world's most populous country.
• One of the keyways to address the issue of population growth is to empower women and give them control over their own reproductive health.

Body

• The Current Scenario:
  • India is the second-most populous country in the world with a population of approximately 1.5 billion people. The population growth rate in India is around 1.2%, which is considered to be high compared to other developed countries.
    • The major reason behind the high population growth rate is the lack of education and awareness among women about reproductive health and family planning methods. Therefore, need of the hour to empower women so, that they can play important role in controlling population.
• The role of women in controlling population growth in India:
  • Making informed decision:
    • Women's empowerment is crucial in population growth as it gives women the right to make informed decisions about their own reproductive health.
      • When women are empowered, they have the right to access quality healthcare services, including family planning services, and can choose the number of children they want to have.
      • In India, the government has implemented various programs and initiatives to empower women and provide access to reproductive health services.
        • For example, the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) program provides financial incentives to women who deliver their babies in health institutions and undergo institutional deliveries.
  • Role of Education in controlling population growth:
    • Education plays a vital role in empowering women and controlling population growth.
      • Women who are educated are more likely to be aware of family planning methods and have a higher level of decision-making power within their families.
      • In India, various programs have been implemented to promote education for girls, including the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter) campaign.
        • The campaign aims to promote the education of girls and address the issue of female infanticide and sex-selective abortions.
  • Role in Family Planning Services:
    • Family planning services are crucial for women to control population growth.
      • In India, various family planning methods, including natural and modern methods, are available. However, the availability of these services is limited, and many women do not have access to quality family planning services.
      • The government has implemented various programs and initiatives to improve access to family planning services, including the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) program. The NRHM program provides funding for the establishment of rural health centers that provide family planning services.

Conclusion

• The role of women in controlling population growth in India is crucial. Women's empowerment and reproductive health rights, education, and access to quality family planning services are essential in controlling the population growth rate.
• The government has implemented various programs and initiatives to address these issues, but more needs to be done to ensure that all women have access to these services. It is important to continue to promote women's empowerment and provide quality family planning services to ensure sustainable population growth in India.