Population Dynamics
As of the year 2011, seven billion people now live on Earth. Much has to be done in order to reduce poverty, to provide universal access to health care and family planning, and to decrease our high consumption of resources. This is where DSW steps in with its development programmes and advocacy work.
Many women give birth to more children than they want due to a lack of contraceptives and effective family planning. With the implementation of our Youth-to-Youth Initiative, we are educating thousands of young people in Africa about their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and on how to create a healthy and independent future for themselves.
Furthermore, DSW's comprehensive advocacy work is done by talking to and engaging with national, local and international political authorities. In our dialogue we advocate for the necessity of voluntary family planning and reproductive health.
Inter-Religious Dialogue
“Interfaith Declaration to Improve Family Health and Well-Being”
DSW has led the development of a Consensus Statement from various faith-based organisations on the importance of Family Planning and Reproductive Health (FP/RH). More >
Africa’s Demographic Challenges: An advocacy and Awareness Raising Campaign
Sub-Saharan Africa is the poorest region of the world. 74 per cent of its population live on less than two dollars a day. Rapid population growth is one of the biggest obstacles in fighting extreme poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. The health and educational system as well as the food situation already are under considerable strain. With more people having to be provided for in the following years the strain will increase. Africa has the highest population dynamics of the world – according to the latest United Nations projections the African population probably will double by 2015. A lot of women get more children than they wish to get as in many cases they don’t have access to modern methods of family planning. Universal access to sexual and reproductive health is essential to reduce poverty and to enable a sustainable development in Africa.
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Advocacy Activities in our Focus Countries
DSW’s advocacy efforts concentrate on stressing the need for improved health information, services and supplies, coupled with sufficient, stable health financing from both the Government and its development partners.
Learn more adout DSW's advocacy activities in...
DSW Berlin
Commitment for Voluntary Family Planning
The demographic development of a country greatly influences its overall development. This is why it is important for us to highlight the impact of population dynamics in relation to economic, social and environmental development. In our dialogue with decision-makers we therefore advocate that the impact of population dynamics, and thus the necessity of voluntary family planning, should be considered in the context of the various development topics. more >
DSW Brussels
Treating the Wider Issues affecting Health
Those most at risk are poor, vulnerable populations who, with few alternative opportunities for livelihood and health, are also most often excluded from decision making. Truly responsive development rests upon the primacy of improving lives in the poorest of communities; and for this reason, DSW works to promote policies and programmes that are effectively pro-poor. more >
7 billion actions
On 31 October, world population reaches 7 billion. A world of 7 billion people poses many challenges – and countless opportunities to make a positive difference. 7 Billion Actions, established by the United Nations Population Fund, inspires change that will make a difference by highlighting positive action by individuals and organizations around the world. more >
