Islamabad
\nThe Centre of Excellence on Population and Wellbeing Studies (CePwS) at S3H, NUST, observed World Population Day 2025 in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
\nThe commemoration included a panel discussion and an essay-writing competition on the theme of \u201cEmpowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world\u201d, which brought together experts from academia, government, NGOs and INGOs. This panel discussion was held in the CIPS Boardroom, Jinnah Auditorium, NUST, H-12, Islamabad.
\nRepresentatives from NUST, UNFPA, Population Council Pakistan, NIPS, AWF, SDPI, and other universities joined the session.
\nMs Latika Maskey Pradhan Deputy Country Representative talked about the challenges that Pakistan is facing in terms of balancing Population, bringing Child marriage and women empowerment into limelight and emphasizing on policy solutions. Ms Maria Qadri Director Marcoms NUST, highlighted contemporary and critical issue of youth empowerment and their family choices.
\nDr Daud Munir laid emphasis on the role of family choices, policy and governance, and legislation. Dr Zafar Mahmood highlighted the role that youth could play in economic, social and political affairs and how Pakistan by making better enabling environment can reap the demographic dividend.
\nDr Faisal Abbas Director CePwS focused on Family as basic unit of any society and how this family unit can be pivotal in shaping social norms, culture and value system. The event brought together students, youth advocates, experts, and policymakers to unpack what it truly means to create a fair and hopeful world. The discussion explored how harmful gender norms, limited economic options, and the absence of inclusive, youth-centered support systems continue to deny young people the freedom to make meaningful life decisions.
\nFurthermore, the panel shed light on the misconception that family planning and reproductive health are women\u2019s burden alone. It called for shifting the narrative toward shared responsibility, where both partners actively participate in decisions around childbearing, parenting, and household responsibilities.
\nIn addition to this, all sessions highlighted fathers\u2019 role in childbearing, that fathers must be part of it to support their families. Father\u2019s inclusion not only helps females but also will be helpful for children to discuss things openly, and the result will be a happy family.
\nThe redefining of fatherhood, from provider-only roles to nurturing, emotionally involved caregivers, will be explored as part of the vision for a more equitable and hopeful society. Session ended with an essay and souvenir distribution ceremony.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Islamabad The Centre of Excellence on Population and Wellbeing Studies (CePwS) at S3H, NUST, observed World Population Day 2025 in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The commemoration included a panel discussion and an essay-writing competition on the theme of \u201cEmpowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":479678,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-495525","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n