Going on from my comments about radio-advertised charities the other day, last night I went to a presentation at the Royal Geographical Society by the Population and Sustainability Network (PSN). The theme of the evening was "Population Increase ? the Greatest Challenge?". While I didn't totally agree with all the points of view of the two highly-qualified presenters (I think that Climate Change is up there with population growth, for example, but at least we have recognised the former, finally ? now we need to remind ourselves of the latter), I did come away with a couple of clear pieces of information: Population growth is a very significant problem, and the way to solve it is by providing women in developing countries with education, access to family planning advice, and reproductive rights. Where these are available, birth rates drop significantly, no coercion of any kind is required.

The charities you hear advertising on the radio and elsewhere with "alternative gift catalogues" or "PresentAid" are encouraging you to finance sending a family in a developing country, say, some goats, or a chicken coop in the name of your friend or relative, who receives a card telling them you've done it.

This is all well and good, but apart from the fact that religious charities are often using some of your money to indoctrinate the locals with superstitions, many specifically do not support reproductive rights, access to family planning advice, contraceptives, and safe abortions. Goats may be good, but a contribution that helps set up a family planning clinic is a gift that keeps on giving.

If you are of like mind, I would suggest that you scrutinise a charity's web site thoroughly before parting with your funds, to make sure it's putting your money where it will do the most good. And if you specifically want to donate to support reproductive rights and facilities in developing countries, consider making a donation to Marie Stopes International.

And that ends Thought for the Day.