Minister Sisisi Tolashe wishes South Africans a Happy World Population Day
South Africa joins the peoples of the world in celebrating World Population Day and the Minister of Social Development, Ms Sisisi Tolashe, wishes all South Africans a happy world population day.
World Population Day is an annual event which is celebrated globally on July 11.
In 1987 the world population reached 5 billion people, and the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme decided to mark the occasion by declaring every 11th of July thereafter to be an annual celebration of the “World Population Day” (WPD)
The WPD always has a specific annual theme whose aim is to bring particular focus on various population concerns and, thereby, aims to raiseawareness of these global population issues.
World Population Day shines the light on the interrelationship between population concerns and socio-economic development.
In South Africa, the National and Provincial Population Units celebrate the annual World Population Day nationally and within the provinces, highlighting the annual theme and its importance to our country.
In 1999 the world’s population reached six billion people and in 2022 the worlds population reached eight billion people. In South Africa, our population is currently over 61 million people, are constituted by a majority of young people.
South Africa is, therefore, said to have a “youthful population” and the department has converged young people in Rustenburg, North West to engage them on all issues affecting including exposing them to sport, arts and culture as catalysts for youth development.
A young population points to the importance of making the issues affecting the youth in our country central to our planning initiatives.
The United Nations declared the theme for this years’ WPD of 2024 to be “Embracing the power of inclusive data towards a resilient and equitable future for all.”
The theme of World Population Day of 2024 is a reminder of the importance of understanding and addressing the needs of our growing and diverse population.
The theme of inclusive data highlights the crucial role that data plays in this effort.
“By committing to inclusive data practices, we can ensure that no one is left behind and that every individual has the opportunity to thrive,” said Minister Tolashe.
She highlighted that Inclusive data is not just about numbers; it’s about people’s lives.
“For policymakers, it means making informed decisions that can truly benefit everyone, “For organizations, it’s about ensuring that their programs are effective and equitable.
For citizens, it’s about being represented and having their voices heard, continued Minister Tolashe.
She said embracing inclusive data is a collective effort that requires commitment from all of us to build a resilient and equitable future.
The theme emphasises the critical role that inclusive data plays in shaping a future where everyone, regardless of their background, has equal opportunities and access to resources.
For the Department of Social Development and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), it means ensuring that data collection and analysis include all segments of the population, particularly marginalized and vulnerable groups.
This approach helps in designing and implementing policies that are fair, effective, and resilient, ultimately leading to a more equitable society.
Inclusive data is essential in South Africa because it helps us understand the diverse needs of our population.
South Africa is characterized by significant social, economic, and health disparities.
By collecting and analysing data that includes all demographics of age, gender, ethnicity, geographic location, we can identify and address gaps in services, ensure equitable resource distribution, and develop targeted interventions that improve the lives of all South Africans.
South Africa has made considerable progress in collecting and utilizing inclusive data, especially through national surveys and censuses. However, there are still challenges, such as data gaps in rural and underserved areas and among marginalized communities.
Efforts are ongoing to improve data collection methods, to increase accessibility, and ensure that data is disaggregated to reflect the true diversity of our population.
Inclusive data provides a comprehensive picture of the population, which is vital for informed decision-making.
It allows policymakers to identify the needs of different groups, allocate resources more effectively, and evaluate the impact of policies. By incorporating inclusive data into governance, we can create more targeted and equitable policies that address specific issues faced by different communities, ultimately leading to better outcomes for everyone.
The main challenges include underreporting, data gaps in remote areas, lack of technological infrastructure, and issues with data quality. To overcome these challenges, we need to invest in modern data collection technologies, train data collectors, and engage communities to understand the importance of providing accurate information. Additionally, partnerships between government, NGOs, and international organisations like the UNFPA can also enhance data collection efforts and ensure more comprehensive coverage.
Technology can also play a significant role by enabling real-time data collection through mobile devices, enhancing data accuracy with GPS and remote sensing, and utilizing big data analytics to identify trends and patterns.
Digital platforms can also facilitate easier data sharing and integration across different sectors, making it more accessible for policymakers and researchers to use inclusive data in their work.
In healthcare, inclusive data helps identify health disparities and target interventions where they are most needed, improving health outcomes for all. In education, it allows us to understand enrolment and achievement gaps and develop programs that support disadvantaged students.
In employment, inclusive data can highlight employment trends and inform policies that promote job creation and fair labour practices.
Overall, it ensures that programs and services are designed to meet the needs of the entire population.
Our country, South Africa should focus on enhancing our data infrastructure. We should invest in training data collectors and adopt innovative technologies. It is also crucial to engage our communities in the data collection process, ensuring they also understand the benefits and feel represented. Strengthening our partnerships between government, private sector, and international organisations like UNFPA can also support the development and implementation of inclusive data initiatives.
“Let us work together to harness the power of inclusive data for a brighter, more equitable future for all so that no one is left behind in our efforts to make a better life for all and so that we can realise our aim of being a caring society,” concluded Minister Tolashe.
Media enquiries may be forwarded to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 0834848067 or lumkao@dsd.gov.za
