This year the theme is 'Men as partners in maternal health'.

Different government and non-government organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the day.

Health and Family Welfare Ministry will hold a discussion at Osmani Memorial Hall in the city at 10:00am. Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed will attend the discussion as the chief guest.

Besides, the ministry will also bring out a colorful rally from Shishu Academy at 8:00am. Health and Family Welfare Adviser Major General (retd) ASM Matiur Rahman will inaugurate the rally that will parade different city streets before ending at Osmani Memorial Hall.

Population Sciences department of Dhaka University (DU) has also taken a daylong programme, including rally, essay and debate competitions and open discussion to observe the day.

DU Vice Chancellor Prof SMA Faiz will inaugurate the rally and attend the daylong programme at Teacher-Student Centre as the chief guest.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in a message said more than half a million women die each year during pregnancy and childbirth and 99 percent of such incidents are occurring in developing countries.

In his message, the UN secretary general emphasised the role of men in supporting women's rights, including their rights to sexual and reproduction health.

President Iajuddin Ahmed, Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia also issued separate messages on the occasion.

On the eve of the day, Health and Family Welfare Ministry organised a press conference at the secretariat yesterday where adviser ASM Matiur Rahman said reduction of maternal and child morality are still a great challenge for the nation.

He said population of the country is now around 14 core and it will reach 17.20 crore by 2010 and 21 crore by 2060. By the time, the population growth will reach a stable position and be reduced to one from present 1.43.

"But if the country takes 10 years more to achieve the 'Replacement Level Fertility' (RLF), the population will reach 25 crore by 2085," he added.

The adviser said if the goal of the government is achieved, 72 percent people will get various family planning devices, 75 percent mothers will have healthcare during pregnancy and 50 percent will have safe delivery.

Besides, the total fertility rate will be reduced to 2.1, maternal mortality rate to 2.4 and child mortality rate to 20 by 2010, he added.