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‘Demographic dividend must be achieved, defying all odds’


Published : 01 Dec 2020 09:38 PM

Bangladesh has a ‘consequential window of opportunity’ to reap a demographic dividend spawned by the existing age structure of the population, which could bring about substantive socio-economic benefits for the country.

Defying the emerging challenges induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bangladesh should stay en route to reaping the ‘demographic gift,’ experts said at the inaugural session of the International Conference on Emerging Population Issues.

Organised jointly by the Department of Population Sciences of Dhaka University and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the two-day long virtual conference kicked off Tuesday.

MA Mannan, Minister of Planning, who was present as the chief guest of the e-conference, highlighted the impact of the ongoing pandemic on crucial population indicators of Bangladesh.

Mannan emphasised on the urgency of focusing on the opportunities the country is presented with by making multidimensional investments through government-NGO collaboration to grasp the first, second and third demographic dividend.

The Minister further reiterated the government’s commitment to address population and development issues.

Prof Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman, Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University, inaugurated the virtual conference.

In his inauguration speech, Dr. Akhtaruzzaman focused on the socio-economic impacts of the ongoing pandemic on different emerging population issues in Bangladesh.

“With prompt, supportive, and empathic collaboration between the Government, development partners, citizens, and health experts, Bangladesh will be able to achieve the Vision 2041, ICPD Program of Action and the Global Agenda 2030 including the Sustainable Developments Goals,” he stated.

Dr. Asa Torkelsson, UNFPA Representative in Bangladesh, called on all stakeholders to devise and implement innovative social interventions, especially on health and education for the youth cohort to lower the dependency ratio, and thereby develop the social landscape of Bangladesh.

Dr. Torkelsson further emphasised that during and in the aftermath of COVID-19, it is imperative to progress towards realizing the three transformative results, namely – zero maternal death, zero unmet need for family planning and zero incidence of gender-based violence.

Prof Dr. Mohammad Mainul Islam, Chairman of Department of Population Sciences of Dhaka University, chaired the inauguration session of the e-conference which will be virtually attended by over 300 participants from around the world, including designated session chairs, paper presenters, researchers, faculties, students and representatives from different bodies.

On the first day of the e-conference, three technical sessions took place, and presenters from India, China, Australia, including Bangladesh, presented papers.

The two-day e-conference will be continued till 2nd December with two more technical sessions, which will be followed by a concluding session.

The technical sessions over the 2 days focus on pertinent topics relating to population issues such as human capital and the demographic dividend, migration, active ageing, universal health coverage including sexual and reproductive health, and climate change and displacement.