Egypt steps up efforts to tackle overpopulation
As the most populous Arab country with about 105 million people, Egypt is stepping up population-control efforts, trying to make it an asset, rather than a liability.
Titled 'Diagnosing the Population Situation in Egypt and Improving Population Characteristics', a session held called for promoting a roadmap to control the population growth that poses a huge burden on the country's resources and budget, reports Xinhua news agency.
As part of the National Dialogue that began on May 3, this session was also attended by various groups from the government and society.
"We do need to activate and finance the National Population and Development Strategy (2015-2030) that works on enhancing family planning, empowering women, promoting the welfare of youth and teenagers, improving education, and advancing media and social communication," said Talat Abdel-Gawad, a member of the Board of Trustees of the dialogue.
Cognizant of the overpopulation threats to national security, Abdel-Gawad affirmed the necessity to establish three laws to curb school evasion, child marriage, and child labour.