AMU’s Department of Community Medicine Marks World Population Day with Awareness Drives in Local Communities: Prioritizing Reproductive Health and Rights
TNN News : To commemorate World Population Day 2025, the Department of Community Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), led by its Chairperson Prof. Uzma Eram, organized a series of awareness activities across various community sites. Observed globally on July 11, the day serves as a reminder of the pressing issues surrounding population growth and reproductive health.
With this year’s theme, “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world”, the department focused on educating communities about the importance of reproductive well-being and the empowerment of individuals, especially women and adolescents, to make informed choices in a fair and equitable society.
As part of the observance, health talks were delivered by postgraduate doctors and undergraduate students on July 11 in the villages of Rafipur Siya and Siya Khas under the Family Adoption Program (FAP). A day earlier, on July 10, Master of Public Health (MPH) students conducted awareness sessions in Chandbaug Colony and Firdaus Nagar, engaging with women, youth, and families in these communities.
The sessions focused on various aspects of reproductive health, which encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being in matters related to the reproductive system. Discussions highlighted the right to make informed and respectful decisions about childbirth, family planning, and sexual health.
Dr Al Faateh, Dr Ayushi, and Dr Yuvrajsinh led interactive discussions on essential topics such as appropriate age of marriage, planning the timing and number of children, accessing safe pregnancy and abortion services, and choosing effective contraceptive methods. The importance of folic acid supplementation before pregnancy to prevent birth defects was also emphasized.
Participants were informed about free contraceptive options available under government schemes, including condoms, Mala-N pills, Copper-T, Antara injections, Chhaya pills, and male/female sterilization. The well-known slogan “Chhota Parivar, Sukhi Parivar” (Small Family, Happy Family) was reinforced throughout the sessions.
The awareness drives across Aligarh district were conducted by Dr. Yuvrajsinh, Dr. Al Faateh, Dr. Ayushi, and students of Master in Public Health – Elma Khanam, Rizwan Naushad, Sana Mustafa, and Sarah Khaliq.
