World Population Day 11/7/2025 – Reproductive autonomy in a changing world

This year’s World Population Day, July 11, is themed “Reproductive autonomy in a changing world”, reflecting the strong shift in population development thinking in the context of globalization, rapid urbanization and profound social changes. This is not only the official message from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) but also the key direction that the Vietnamese Ministry of Health has included in its 2025 population communication plan, with the goal of raising public awareness of the role, rights and responsibilities of each individual in reproduction.

As the southernmost province of the country, Ca Mau is not outside the changes in population and development. In recent years, population and family planning work in the province has achieved many remarkable achievements. People's awareness, especially young couples, has changed positively in choosing the time to give birth, the number of children, and birth spacing in accordance with socio -economic conditions. However, new challenges in the current context require the locality to continue to adjust and adapt flexibly.

According to statistics, the birth rate in some remote districts is showing signs of decreasing, while in the inner city, the difference in birth rate and the fear of having a second child due to life pressure and high child-rearing costs are also present. This can lead to long-term consequences for population structure, labor force and aging rate. In addition, the lack of uniformity in access to reproductive health care services in rural areas, especially for poor women and ethnic minorities, remains a major barrier to ensuring people's reproductive rights.

Resolution No. 21-NQ/TW of the Central Committee and the revised Population Ordinance, effective from June 2025, have clearly established the right of couples and individuals to self-determination in reproductive matters, while creating an important legal corridor for localities such as Ca Mau to adjust policies, allocate resources and orient appropriate population communication. Accordingly, each individual has the right to decide when to give birth, the number of children and the interval between births in accordance with their health status, learning conditions, income and ability to raise children, on the basis of equality and social responsibility.

In Ca Mau, the implementation of this policy needs to go hand in hand with strengthening the grassroots health network and improving the quality of reproductive health care services, especially in remote communes and coastal areas where many prejudices and bad customs still exist that affect women's reproductive rights. At the same time, the education sector and mass organizations need to strengthen communication and education on sex and reproductive health for adolescents - those who are and will be entering childbearing age - to help them have enough knowledge to make the right decisions for themselves and their future.

Responding to World Population Day on July 11, 2025, Ca Mau province not only calls for the cooperation of all levels and sectors but also encourages each person and each family to raise awareness and exercise reproductive rights and responsibilities. It is not only the right to decide on having children, but also the right to live a healthy, safe life, with the opportunity to develop in a fair and progressive society. In a world that is constantly changing, protecting reproductive rights is not only an immediate goal, but also a long-term strategy for sustainable and comprehensive development for each person and community.

Source: https://soyte.camau.gov.vn/bai-khoa-hoc-chinh-tri-va-xa-hoi/ngay-dan-so-the-gioi-11-7-2025-quyen-tu-quyet-ve-sinh-san-trong-mot-the-gioi-dang-thay-doi-285852