Developing human capital should be a priority
Says UNFPA executive director
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director Dr Babatunde Osotimehin talks to The Daily Star.Photo: STAR
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director Dr Babatunde Osotimehin suggested investing the highest in developing human capital and putting the young population at the centre of the country's development. "The very basis of development is the development of human capital. And that depends on the ability to be educated, the ability to be innovative, and being healthy to do those things. So, let us put resources to human capital development," he said. The UNFPA chief executive visited Bangladesh from August 17 to 19 and discussed various issues regarding population control, maternal and child mortality, health facilities and neonatal care with the government high ups and civil society members. Talking to The Daily Star at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel on August 19, he said authorities have to take stock of its population and determine the skills they need for the true development of any country. "For instance, if your country wants to make an ICT-based economy, then you have to do whatever is needed to get there. Look at the Bangalore experience. You must make education available for them. “If you want to invest in green economy, make sure the education required. So, it is that sort of investment we are talking about," said Dr Babatunde, also a former Nigerian health minister and a doctor by profession. The most important task is mainstreaming the young people. Listening to them and ensuring their participation in nation building can take their minds off from just talking about their frustrations and anxieties, he said. Referring to Southeast Asia, the development expert said this region grew out of the energy of young people. "Make sure they have access to build skills, credit and education and are connected to society. So they can do business, get married and have children." It is crucial to take advantage of the energy carried by young people, channelling it to productivity and creativity, he said. Dr Babatunde appreciated Bangladesh's achievement in the social sectors. In the last 35 years, fertility rates dropped from 6.3 children per woman to about 2.5. Maternal mortality rate reduced to 194 per lakh, which was 574 in the years between 1990-95. He, however, noted a number of challenges. "Because it is not a resource-rich country, there is still some poverty in the system and a lot of gaps…Services are not all out there even though the government is doing everything possible to make those services available," he said. Terming empowerment of young women the greatest challenge, he said they have to be able to take a rightful place in society. If they cannot stay in school till they reach the legal age of marriage, are married off at a tender age, have children when they themselves are in fact children and gender based violence prevails in society, addressing the challenge would be difficult, he said. Referring to the fact that 75 percent of Bangladeshi women give birth at home, he said the community-based midwifery services that the government started should be revamped to ensure quality services for expectant mothers. "And immediately after birth, they will have to make sure immunisation for the newborn and also family planning services," Dr Babatunde said. On UNFPA's future plan in Bangladesh, he said they will continue to support Bangladesh since the country proved that it is fulfilling the commitments. "We want to make sure that we will protect the rights of women so that they are not abused because there is gender-based violence here. “Beyond that, we also want to give them access to education so that they can participate actively in the political and economic life of Bangladesh," he said.
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