Women shouldn't be targeted for India's growing population: Experts

As India became the world's most populous country, experts said women should not be blamed for the country's growing population and asserted that gender equality and greater bodily autonomy will act as key determinants for a sustainable future.

According to the latest data provided by the United Nations, India has surpassed China to become the world's most populous nation with 142.86 crore people.

Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director, Population Foundation of India, said women should not be held responsible for the surge in population.

"Whether they wish to have children or not, when to have them, and how many are really their right - nobody else's. Families, governments, and policy-makers or society have no right to take decisions on their behalf.

"Women's autonomy over their bodies cannot be determined by policies driven by population trends - incentivising women to have more children if the population is declining, or controlling their fertility if the population is rising," she