Access to information and family planning services can allow individuals and couples to realise their right to determine the number, spacing and timing of their children.

Family planning is also essential to every member of the community, men, women and youth to make good plans for the rest of their lives.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative in Lesotho Dr Lillian Marutle was speaking at the occasion to commemorate World Population Day (WPD) at Thaba-Bosiu in Maseru on Friday.

The day was commemorated with the theme: ‘Family planning: It's a right, let’s make it real.'

Dr Marutle advised parents to devote more of their resources to the education and health of each child for the benefit of the families, communities and the nation at large, saying if they plan ahead, poverty can also be addressed.

The Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA's) Information, Education and Communication Programmes Officer, Mr. Tefo Lepheane said it is the responsibility of the public to ensure that they plan their families through proper use of contraceptives to control birth rate.

He said men as good partners should support their spouses and visit LPPA clinics in an effort to be informed about family health related issues.

The male representative, Mr. Makotoko Theko confirmed that men are reluctant to go for family planning services, noting that the time has come for them to join the rest of the world and support initiatives put in place to manage and control their families properly.

WPD is an annual event commemorated worldwide on July 11 with a view to educate communities on population related issues.

Bureau of Statistics (BOS) indicates that Lesotho's population has decreased due to the impact of HIV/AIDS. According to the census conducted in the country in 1996, population was estimated at 2.2 million and the number has declined to 1.8 million as compared to the 2006 census report.

Source: LENA 25/07/2008