Introduction
Empowering women is considered a crucial strategy in controlling population growth. When women are empowered through education, employment, and healthcare, they gain autonomy in decision-making, particularly in reproductive health, which directly influences population dynamics.

Impact of Education on Fertility Rates
Educated women are more likely to delay marriage and childbirth, leading to lower fertility rates. Studies show that countries with higher female literacy rates, such as Kerala in India, have experienced lower Total Fertility Rates (TFR). Kerala’s TFR is 1.8, significantly below the national average, illustrating how education can contribute to population stabilization.

Economic Empowerment and Family Planning
When women are economically empowered, they have more control over family planning decisions. Access to jobs and income enables women to prioritize their careers and delay having children. For instance, as women’s labor force participation increases in urban areas, fertility rates tend to decline, as seen in metro cities like Delhi and Mumbai, where the fertility rate is below the replacement level.

Access to Healthcare and Reproductive Rights
Empowering women by providing access to healthcare and family planning services helps reduce unwanted pregnancies and encourages the use of contraceptives. Government initiatives such as Mission Parivar Vikas focus on providing family planning services in high fertility districts, aiming to reduce the fertility rate by improving access to contraceptive methods and reproductive healthcare.

Conclusion
Empowering women through education, economic opportunities, and healthcare is fundamental to controlling population growth. By giving women autonomy over their reproductive choices, societies can move towards sustainable population levels and overall development.