September 2022 Update

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SEPTEMBER 2022

Dear John,

In this month's update, we are delighted to share the launch of our
brand-new campaign tackling consumption: We Don't Buy It. The culmination
of many months hard work, we think it's an important new area of focus that
complements our other campaigns. We would love to hear your thoughts on the
consumption issue, so please reply to this email and let us know what you
think!

September saw the publication of a comprehensive article on the BBC
analysing population growth. We have highlighted some of the important work
being done by a future E2P partner in Pakistan, both around the floods and
women's rights. We also report on the dispiriting news that a new UN report
has calculated that, at the current rate of progress, full gender equality
will not be achieved until the 22nd century, and we link to a story of some
important political conversations happening around population in Zambia.

- The PM Team

NEWS FROM POPULATION MATTERS

#WeDontBuyIt - let's tackle overconsumption!

It's long been on our agenda to launch a campaign that tackles issues
around overconsumption, so this month we were delighted to announce We
Don't Buy It!

Looking at consumption habits, largely in the Global North, it covers
issues around personal responsibility (do I really need this new shiny
thing?) as well as the roles of big business and the wider economic system,
and our first target is Apple. A central pillar of their marketing model is
built around perceived obsolescence and people are constantly encouraged to
covet the latest, barely updated model. We're calling for that to change
and we need your help!

Read more [3]

How many people can Earth handle?

This month, BBC Future published an article looking at the worldwide
population issue in advance of reaching 8 billion, a milestone we'll pass
on 15 November this year.

_How many people can Earth handle? _is a comprehensive and (for the most
part) balanced look at the issue, and while we don't agree with everything
said, it's encouraging that media outlets such as the BBC are at least
engaging with the conversation of population growth. We were pleased to see
Population Matters featured in the article, along with our director, Robin
Maynard.

Read more [4]

POPULATION & ENVIRONMENT

Fighting floods, the patriarchy and child marriage

The Awakening was established in 2011 with the mission of empowering
vulnerable and disenfranchised women in rural areas of Pakistan. Recently,
its work has involved helping those affected by the terrible floods.

It has proven to be challenging work, helping people who have lost
everything with winter fast approaching. The organisation's Director,
Erfaan Hussein Babak, is no stranger to demanding situations, as he
explains to Empower to Plan coordinator Catriona Spaven-Donn.

Read more [5]

Tackling population issues in Zambia

The Zambia All Party Parliamentary Group on Population and Development
(ZAPPD) was founded in '97, one of the first of its kind in the region of
Eastern and Southern Africa.

They recently met in Lusaka to discuss progress around their Vision 2030
goal of becoming a prosperous middle-income country. MPs were encouraged to
take the initiative on population matters, discussing issues such as
unemployment, gender-based violence and an unmet need for family planning,
which impacts at least 1 out of 5 women.

Read more [6]

[7]

What are you doing for insects?

Insect populations matter! Insects are in decline across the world due to a
range of human-induced factors, such as habitat loss and climate change.
That's why we're encouraging those that can to take local action for
insects and inspire others to do so! Scroll to the bottom of the page below
to see beautiful pictures from two PM supporters, Kelvin Lear and Gwyneth
Howard. If you have any insect activity to share we would love to hear from
you and feature you on our website!

Read more [7]

WOMEN'S RIGHTS & SEXUAL HEALTH

Gender equality still 86 long years away

Full gender equality will not be reached until the year 2108, according to
a new UN report released in September. The lack of progress is attributed
to a myriad of global factors, including the Covid-19 pandemic, and a
concerted global effort is required to get things back on track.

Meanwhile, another UN report has found that Human Development is "falling
behind" in 90% of countries, with women and girls disproportionately
affected. Factor in the worrying trends we are seeing around the world
against SRHR, it's more important than ever to remain vigilant and call out
any further threats to women's rights where we see them.

Read more [8]

Celebrating our partners advancing women's rights

International Abortion Day fell on 28 September, so we thought it right to
celebrate our partner organisations around the world that are extending
access to family planning and reproductive healthcare in their local
communities.

Here we have highlighted a new project from our upcoming partner in
Pakistan, The Awakening, which demystifies the stigmas around abortion and
women’s bodily autonomy, offering a safe abortion hotline called Saheli,
or ‘female friend.’ Saheli will serve as a 24-hour resource for girls
and women seeking help regarding abortion, family planning and reproductive
health.

Read more about Saheli [9]

TAKE ACTION

Don't fall for the iCon

The first target of our We Don't Buy It campaign is Apple. Everything we
buy has an impact on the environment and we have a personal responsibility
to ask the question, "do I need this?". But the likes of Apple have a
marketing model based on persuading us that we need to upgrade our phone
every year. Take action now and email Apple CEO Tim Cook, respectfully
requesting he change the narrative and put planet before profit. Please
also considering signing up to the personal pledges on that page, to show
your commitment to consuming sustainably.

Take Action Now [10]

Quote of the month

_“The education of our children cannot wait. Dignified jobs cannot wait.
Full equality for women and girls cannot wait. Comprehensive healthcare,
meaningful climate action, biodiversity protection - these cannot be left
for tomorrow.”_

- UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the SDG Moment 2022

Manage your communication preferences here [11].

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© 2022 Population Matters

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