TEHRAN –President Ebrahim Raisi has underscored the need for the implementation of the ‘Law on Family and Youth Support’ and has urged the responsible authorities to follow up on enforcing the law.

He made the remarks on the occasion of the second national youthful population award on Saturday, ISNA reported.

The president has also stressed that the government has to provide facilities and incentives, such as housing,  and loans for marriage, having children, and employment.

“The government bodies should evaluate and identify the accomplishments, as well as failures and shortcomings quarterly. Then by checking the outcomes at the end of the year, they can decide on further actions to be taken,” the president highlighted.

The issue of the youthful population is the source of power, wealth, and assets for the country and prevents the aging of the country ensuring its growth.

The official went on to laud measures taken by the health ministry regarding the expansion of medical centers, free treatment of infertile couples and children under seven years of age, and solving nutritional problems of families.

He stressed the need to continue providing similar services.

In the end, highlighting the role of media and educational centers, the president stated that the success of the ‘Law on Family and Youth Support’  depends on both government agencies and public participation.

Youthful population week

The National Youthful Population Week commenced on May 13 with the theme of ‘My share in youthful population’ and will wrap up on May 19.

Two years after the enactment of the law on supporting families and the youth, investigations have shown that the health ministry has played a central role in the implementation of the law, Hasan Farshidi, an official with the health ministry, has said.

“Since the implementation of the law, the number of births among mothers aged 20 to 24 has notably increased,” the official said.

The rate of mothers giving birth to three children increased from 16 percent in the Iranian year 1398 (March 2019-March 2020) to 18.97 percent in 1402 (March 2023 –March 2024) and even the fourth childbirth increased from 5 percent to about 7 percent, Farshidi stated.

The health ministry’s responsibilities in the field of health and education are well-defined and it has successfully implemented more than 95 percent of its tasks in the youth law, he added.

MT/MG