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Rifana Parveen: Creating a Society Where People Can Choose Parenthood Freely

Rifana Parveen/LinkedIn

Aug 29, 2026, 15:27

Rifana Parveen: Creating a Society Where People Can Choose Parenthood Freely

Rifana Parveen, Fertility Specialist and Gynecologist at The LifeTree, shared on LinkedIn։

“India’s fertility rate is falling. But does that mean women should be told to have more children?

India’s Total Fertility Rate has fallen to 1.9 children per woman, below the replacement level of 2.1. The decline is linked to several factors, including better access to education and contraception, greater decision-making power for women, and the rising cost of raising children.

Yes, a falling fertility rate can have long – term implications for India’s workforce and ageing population. But the answer cannot simply be to tell women to have more children.

Women should be supported to make informed reproductive choices based on their health, circumstances, relationships, finances and personal goals.

If India is preparing for an ageing population, we need policies that support families without taking away reproductive autonomy – better maternal healthcare, affordable childcare, fertility care, workplace support, and social security for older adults.

Demographics are a national concern.

But a woman’s reproductive choices should remain her own. The goal should be to create a society where people can choose parenthood freely – not feel pressured into it.”

Rifana Parveen: Creating a Society Where People Can Choose Parenthood Freely