Addressing the demographic imperative through health, empowerment, and rights: ICPD implementation in Bangladesh.

It has been debated since the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) whether the ICPD program of action constitutes population policy. Opponents of the ICPD reproductive health approach argue that vertical family planning programs will be more cost-effective, while proponents counter that the reproductive health approach will be more cost-effective in meeting demographic goals. The program of action calls for social investments to be made by development agencies and budgets, not from family planning budgets. The roles of population professionals and agencies in the program are to conduct relevant research and advocate for broader policy change. The case of Bangladesh is examined. The following issues need to be researched in both Bangladesh and worldwide in order to support the implementation of the ICPD program of action: the situation of young people, the significance of sex and gender in reproductive and health-seeking behavior, the decision-making environment, and applied demographic research into the costs and benefits of reproductive health services. Professionals working in the field of population need to get involved in assessing and promoting changes in broader national development policies.