JOICEF NEWS NO. 226 APRIL 1993

Item

Title
JOICEF NEWS NO. 226 APRIL 1993
extracted text
u
226 April 1993

ISSN 0911-0755

JOIC®NEWS
South-to-South Cooperation

Indonesia paves way for sharing family planning experiences among developing countries
or government sectors of different
countries — is really a partnership in
FP.” Haryono said that JOICFP could
help promote North-to-South partner­
ships, especially through its publications.
In response, Kunii said that JOICFP
would assist in the dissemination of
information and FP experiences accu­
mulated by Indonesia. He added that
JOICFP would also work to further
stimulate South-to-South cooperation
activities by assisting with the dispatch
of experts to expand the network of
resource persons.
Outlining Indonesia’s South-to-South
cooperation activities, Haryono said that
over the last three years, his country has
provided technical assistance to 1,400
people from 64 countries. “In the future,
we would like to work closely with many
countries to ensure the success of their
FP programs,” he said.
BKKBN Chairman Haryono Suyono (right) with JOICFP Chairman Chojiro Kunii.

“Indonesia has accumulated a wide
range of experiences in the family
planning (FP) and population field, not
only through the activities of the
governmental sector, but also through
the work of nongovernmental organi­
zations (NGOs),’’ said JOICFP Chair­
man Chojiro Kunii. “These experiences
can be utilized by other countries as
stepping stones to development.” In a
discussion with Dr. Haryono Suyono,
chairman, National Family Planning
Coordinating Board (BKKBN), Indo­
nesia, on February 2, Kunii said that
JOICFP would support BKKBN’s efforts
to exchange Indonesian FP experiences
with other developing countries under
the so-called “South-to-South" cooper­
ation initiative.
Haryono was in Japan from January
29 - February 3 to meet with officials of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Japan
International Cooperation Agency
(JICA) to discuss future projects to be
developed under the South-to-South
cooperation scheme. The initiative, under

which Indonesia is providing technical
assistance to other developing nations,
received a boost in January when Japanese
Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa pledged
to provide Indonesia with US$2.4 million
to support the scheme. Out of the total, the
Japanese government earmarked US$1.7
million for training in Indonesia of people
from developing nations. In addition, about
US$500,000 will be provided to UNFPA
to support an FP program in Bangladesh
and US$200,000 will be provided to
UNDP to assist an Indonesian-operated
human resources program in other
countries. The Japanese pledge of assis­
tance came in response to a call by
Indonesian President Soeharto for the
promotion of South-to-South cooperation
at the summit meeting of the Nonaligned
Movement in September 1992.
“We are most happy that the Japanese
government is ready to provide assistance
because this is not only a South-to-South
partnership, but also a North-to-South
partnership,” said Haryono. “What we are
offering right now — to the private sectors

People’s Participation

Noting the effectiveness of South-toSouth cooperation for the sharing of
appropriate strategies and techniques
among developing countries, Kunii
commented that Indonesia has much to
offer in terms of strategies for gaining
acceptance of FP among people. He said
that the Indonesian approach to FP
promotion is not limited to service
provision, but is aimed at gaining people’s
participation in activities. The Indo­
nesian FP success story is the result of an
FP movement supported by the people,
he said. “Indonesia can play a leadership
role in the promotion of appropriate FP
strategies to solve population problems
worldwide,” Kunii said. “The country’s
role as a leader in the FP field is already
recognized the world over.”
Looking ahead to the International
Conference on Population and Develop­
ment to be held in Cairo in 1994, Kunii
underscored the importance of devel­
oping acomprehensive, practical strategy
for South-to-South cooperation for
discussion at the conference.
[J]
1

H
Population in Focus

Sai Wins UN
Population
Award
Group award goes to
Population Problems
Research Council ofMainichi
Shimbun

I

4

Dr. Fred Sai, president, IPPF, was
honored this year with the prestigious
UN Population Awardfor his involvement
and global leadership infamily planning
(FP) and population activities. In its
announcement on February 17, the UN
Population Award Committee also
honored the Population Problems Shidzue Kato, current president, FPFJ, stands beside FP pioneer Margaret
Research Council of the Mainichi Sanger as she gives a speech in Tokyo in 1952. She was invited to Japan by the
Shimbun ofJapan with the UN Popula­ Population Problems Research Council.
Photo courtesy of Mainichi Shimbun
tion Group Awardfor its achievements in
public opinion concerning FP and
creating awareness ofpopulation issues. term of office in 1992.
Sai has represented international bodies population issues in Japan by consistently
A total of six individuals and 10
institutions were nominated for the and the Ghanaian government at many conducting its surveys. To date, a total of
awards this year. Sai and the Population global meetings and in 1984 chaired the 21 surveys have been conducted.
To further draw attention to
Problems Research Council will be Main Committee of the International
formally presented with their awards on Population Conference in Mexico City. population issues, the council has also
From 1985 to 1990, he was a senior been active in arranging study meetings
June 10.
“I am deeply honored to havereceived population advisor to the World Bank, for and seminars and inviting experts from
whom he remains a around the world to speak in Japan. Since
this accolade and I
consultant on African 1990, it has undertaken the work of
accept it on behalf of
health issues. At secretariat of Population Forum 21 which
my many IPPF col­
present, Sai lives in supports the activities of UNFPA and
leagues around the
Ghana where he ad­ other organizations working in the field
world — both staff
vises the government of population.
and volunteers,” said
on FP and population
Sai. “As an African,
Creating Awareness
issues, chairing the
this honor is a chal­
recently-formed
lenge for me to work
Through such efforts to create
National Population
with the many poor,
Council. He is also awareness within Japan, the Mainichi
young and neglected
an honorary prof­ Shimbun has played a significant role in
individuals within
essor
of community encouraging support from the Japanese
the continent to em­
health at the Uni­ public for population activities both
power them and
versity of Ghana within the country and internationally.
improve the quality
Fred Sai
“We are very pleased that the council
Medical School.
of their lives through
has
been honored with this award because
The
Population
Problems
Research
FP.”
Sai was honored for his 40 years of Council, meanwhile, was honored for its it recognizes the work of this institution
work in national and international more than 40 years of efforts to create to promote both domestic and inter­
organizations both promoting awareness awareness of FP and population problems national population issues since 1949,”
of population issues and working toward in Japan through its knowledge, attitude said Mainichi Shimbun President Tadao
effective programs to address those and practice (KAP) surveys on FP and Koike, who also serves as president of
problems. Sai first became involved through publications and forums. Estab­ the Population Problems Research
with IPPF 20 years ago. In 1967, he co­ lished shortly after the end of WWII in Council. “Population will be a crucial
founded the Planned Parenthood 1949, the council was one of the first factor for the 21 st century and much will
Association of Ghana and was institutions in Japan to recognize the be required of humankind to solve this
instrumental in founding the African importance ofpopulation issues and their problem,” he said. “Environmental issues
are fundamentally related to population.
Region of IPPF, uniting family planning interrelationship with development.
Breaking ground in Japan with its first Globally, we all have to make serious
associations (FPAs) across the continent.
[J]
He was first elected as IPPF’s president KAP survey in 1950, the council has efforts to solve these issues.”
*
Information
on
Fred
Sai
courtesy
of
IPPF
amassed
a
unique
body
of
information
on
in 1989 and was reelected for a second

'1

1

2

JOICFP NEWS, April 1993

Exchanges

Filling the FP Vacuum
Pathfinder International targets unmet service needs

f

Pathfinder International is one ofthe
oldest family planning (FP) organi­
zations in the U.S. and today is active in
the promotion and support of FP
activities in developing countries. Since
its establishment in 1957, the non-profit
organization has funded over 2,500
projects in more than 80 countries.
Focusing on service delivery, Pathfinder
International makes grants to
institutions, governments, organizations
and individuals in targeted countries
through its 11 field offices. 11 has drawn
the bulk of its funds from USAID since
1967 but also benefitsfrom privatefunds
which give the organization flexibility
and considerable autonomy.
Clarence Gamble

The organization was founded by
Clarence Gamble, an associate of FP
pioneers such as Margaret Sanger. Prior
to its establishment, Gamble provided
seed money to create Planned Parenthood
Federation affiliates in several countries
including Japan. His contributions
helped establish the FP Federation of
Japan (FPFJ), one of nine organizations
of the Hoken Kaikan Group of which
JOICFP is a member.
Pathfinder International’s president,
Daniel E. Pellegrom, and the

Daniel E. Pellegrom
JOICFP NEWS, April 1993

organization’s regional vice
president for Asia and the Near
East, Dr. Tiirkiz Gokgol visited
JOICFP on February 25 to
discuss possible future
collaboration. Below is an
outline of comments made to
JOICFP NEWS.
Gokgol: We are an FP
organization and our ultimate
goal is to reduce birthrates and
ensure that as many people as
possible have access to quality
FP services. But we go through
many stages to accomplish that
goal and it is a long and
continuous process.
Pellegrom: I think the principle that
drives our organization is the conviction
that individual people deserve the
opportunity to take control of their own
destinies; that they deserve the opportunity
to manage their own fertility and need to be
able to do that with the safest possible
methods. It happens also that most of us in
Pathfinder International also believe
population growth in an aggregate or more
generalized way is an issue of considerable
importance in much of the world. Our
expertise is normally associated with
service delivery and we primarily operate
in environments where the demand exceeds
the services available. In most cases we do
not work hard at stimulating
demand for FP.
G: This is pretty much
true worldwide. Demand
usually exceeds what is
available in terms of services.
People all over the world are
looking for ways to control
their fertility — even in the
most conservative areas.
P: In the former Soviet
Union, for example, the
reliance on abortion is
staggering. Obviously the
people want to control their
fertility. The question for us
is how are we going to help
them do that. It is not that I
think abortion is unsafe.
However, if you offer women
a full cafeteria of methods, it
is unlikely that they will
choose abortion as their
preferred method. So, I think
it is incumbent upon us to

Tiirkiz Gokgol

make the selection of methods available
as diverse as possible so that people can
make that choice for themselves. I think
globally we have done an inadequate job
of that.
Clinton’s election is clearly good for
the field of FP. He stated the issues very
clearly and in an uncomplicated way and
has not attempted to soften that. Most of
all, his election means that for the first
time in more than a decade, the people in
power are neither trying to play up to the
opponents of FP or placate them. That is
very positive for the field of FP. How­
ever, the new president has got to solve
some very serious issues and there won’t
be enough funds for him to invest in
some of the areas in which he may want
to invest. Therefore he has to make tough
decisions.

Mexico City Policy
G: Ifthe government cannot come up
with significant increases in funds, it is
possible that there will be less money for
organizations which rely heavily on
USAID such as Pathfinder, because
UNFPA and IPPF will now be receiving
funds. But even then, I think it is very
great that these organizations will be
funded and that the (Mexico City) policy
has been reversed. What we will try to do
is maintain our programs and get funding
from wherever we can.
P: If the U.S. government is going to
do FP in a serious way then there is
absolutely no question that it should be
funding UNFPA and IPPF. It is ab­
solutely right that these two organiza­
tions be funded by the government. [J]

3

Africa

New Challenges in Ghana
In the nine pilot areas where the
Integrated Project (IP) is being imple­
mented in Ghana, the community people
have been prompted to change their
behavior by a “trigger,” said Ian Howie,
country director, UNFPA, Ghana. In an
address to the 2nd National Conference
on the Integrated Family Planning (FP),
Nutrition and Parasite Control (PC)
Project, Howie said, that within its
various country programs throughout
Africa, UNFPA is continually looking to
support innovative projects which will
impact upon excessive fertility, partic­
ularly those which involve communities
helping themselves. “The IP is one of
these,” he said.
The conference, held from January
11 - 13, took the theme of “Expansion
and Sustainability” as a follow-up to
issues discussed at the first national
conference in 1989 and PANFRICO III
in 1991. The opening ceremony of the
conference was attended by some 60
people including representatives of
UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO, USAID and
concerned government ministries. A total

of 30 participants attended the actual
conference, which wound up with remarks
from Dr. Fred Sai, president, IPPF, and
chairman, National Population Council. A
JOICFP mission also attended the meeting
and carried out monitoring of the IP during
its stay in the country from January 9 - 20.
The conference provided participants
with a forum for exchanging information
and experiences and discussing ways to
sustain and expand the project after the
completion of the pilot phase in 1992. The
meeting was particularly effective for
introducing the project to representatives
of the government and related agencies
with a view to possible replication of
activities in the future.
During the conference, participants
recommended that the achievements of
the IP be more widely publicized to promote
replication of experiences and that efforts
be made to expand the project into areas
where needs have been identified and the
people have shown interest in the IP.
Participants also urged that cooperation
with other agencies and the involvement
of local governments be encouraged to

Women Take
Action in
The Gambia
Using very simple technology, the
members ofwomen s clubs in the villages of
Mandinari and Munyagen in The Gambia
are actively involved in soap-making that is
earning profits in the local market. The
activities, which are being implemented
under the Integrated Project (IP), have also
given the women greater confidence to talk
to their partners aboutfamily planning (FP),
said officials of the Gambian Family
Planning Association (GFPA), the IPimplementing agency.
The progress of the women’s clubs and
the close cooperation between GFPA and
government bodies such as the Ministry of
Health were some of the positive findings of
a JOICFP team, which visited The Gambia
on a monitoring mission from January 20 29. The first such mission, the team held
discussions with GFPA personnel and
officials of concerned agencies and visited
the two IP-implementing villages.
The IP is now in its sixth year and utilizes
trained community-based distributors
(CBDs) who promote family planning (FP)
and work closely with community health
nurses (CHNs), village health workers
4

Women learn howto make nutritiousfoods
from local products.
(VHWs) and traditional birth attendants (TB As).
Initially geared to the promotion of FP integrated
with parasite control, the IP has been expanded
to include such components as environmental
sanitation, health and nutrition promotion and
women’s development activities.
Mandinari, a serni-urban village, has a
population of about 8,000 people, while
Munyagen is a rural village with a population
of about 4,000. The introduction of the CBD
system into the villages has been well-received
by the local women who told the mission that
FP has become more accessible under the IP.
Noting the effectiveness of CBDs, residents of
neighboring areas have also requested GFPA to
train CBDs to work in their villages.
The activities of the IP have also gained a
wider audience through a radio drama broadcast
by Radio Gambia in cooperation with GFPA

A view of participants.
enhance sustainability and that male
involvement in IP activities be promoted.
The possible expansion of the project
into neighboring areas was particularly
emphasized by the Planned Parenthood
Association of Ghana, the implementing
agency of the IP. Participants were also
made aware of the desire of the Ministry
of Health to initiate the project in the
northern region where the socioeconomic
status is comparatively low. Participants
discussed possible ways to generate funds
locally through such activities as fee­
charging for services and community
support to enable smooth expansion in
the future.
[3]

and the Health Education Unit (HEU) of the
MOH and supported by the Union of National
Radio and Television Organizations of
Africa. After HEU donated radios to
listening groups in the two IP villages in
1989, Radio Gambia created a drama with
an FP message based on the IP which it aired
nationwide once a week for three months.
Extremely popular, the drama has since won
support from Johns Hopkins University and
is being broadcast in five local languages. In
addition, radio listening groups have now
been established in 15 villages.
The mission was particularly impressed
with the good working relationship between
GFPA and the government and related non­
governmental organizations. The soap­
making ventures, for example, have benefited
from the technical input of the Department
of Community Development. The team also
noted that GFPA staff have been consistent
in conducting IEC campaigns for health,
nutrition and FP involving film shows and
discussions as well as in their efforts to
monitor the IP. In particular, the mission
was impressed with the nutrition education
program conducted in cooperation with
CHNs and health staff of MOH.
During their stay, the mission members
were also made aware of the need to secure
further sources of safe drinking water.
According to the GFPA staff, the lack of
access to water poses a major obstacle to the
promotion of activities to improve health
and environmental sanitation.
JOICFP NEWS, April 1993

Views

Sharing Keys to Integrated Healthcare
Community participation in healthcare activities highlighted at Tokyo seminar

Ten representatives of 10 countries
learned innovative strategies for the
promotion of integrated healthcare and
project self-reliance at the Seminar on
Parasite Control Administration for
Senior Officers, held in Japan from
February 1-19. Entrusted to the Japan
Association of Parasite Control by the
Japan International Cooperation Agency
(JICA) and organized in cooperation with
JOICFP, the seminar highlighted the
effective role that parasite control (PC)
can play as an entry point for the
promotion of integrated healthcare
activities includingfamily planning (FP)
and maternal and child health (MCH)
care at the community level. Participants
also learned of the benefits of smooth
cooperation among the government,
private sector and community in
healthcare promotion and gained insights
into ways to enhance self-reliance.

Postwar Experiences

The 14th of its kind, the seminar
included presentations by experts,
country presentations and group discus­
sions. Participants were introduced to
Japanese postwar experiences in the
healthcare field and gained a deep
understanding of the Integrated Project
(IP). Dr. Shigeru Hayashi, former director
general. National Institute of Health, was
course leader. Participants had an
opportunity to observe present-day
community-based healthcare activities
in Japan during a field trip to Kumamoto
Prefecture, where they visited health
facilities and viewed the activities of the
local government and non-governmental
organizations (NGOs). Below are
comments from four participants.
I
We have
I been co­
operating
■ very
I closely
with the
I Family
Planning
H Federation
of Mexico
(MEXFAM)
fcj to promote
5 the IP in a
■I medium­
Etelvina Zavala Suarez
sized city
JOICFP NEWS, April 1993

in central Mexico. We would like people the level
to take part in this program because the of their
integrated approach is extremely useful. I living
think that the project will achieve close to condiits aim of encouraging couples to have one tions. Im­
or two children and will improve the lives proving
and health of the people in the city and the their
surrounding villages.
health
Etelvina Zavala Suarez, director, status will
Medical Unit, Mexican Institute ofSocial raise their
Security
standards
*
*
*
of living
I am a strong supporter of the IP because and enin my country we are poor and if we h a n c e
Anisio de Moura
integrate health programs it will entail less their in­
expense. Parasite control is a very good terest in protecting the environment.
Dr. Anisio de Moura, adviser on
entry point for the promotion of MCH, FP,
health education and nutrition. In the past, public health administration, Adolfo
we have Lutz Institute, Brazil
*
*
*
had prob­
lems in
In 1991 I was first introduced to the
promoting concept of the IP. At that time I thought
FP in the that the project would not be applicable
Philippines to Nigeria and that PC would not be an
because effective partner to FP. However, I now
the major­ welcome PC as a partner, primarily
ity of the because I learned that people can see the
people results of PC for themselves and also
(80%) are because it is very easy to train technical
Catholic. staff to conduct PC. The results of mass
But our treatment are almost immediate and the
new pres­ people’s interest is kindled when they
ident and see worms after the deworming. Once
Winifreda de Leon
secretary
the in­
of health are progressive, so they will
terest of
hopefully be more supportive of FP
the comactivities. If I have a chance to talk with
m u n i ty
the secretary of health, I will reemphasize
has been
the importance of integrating health
won with
programs and using PC as an entry point.
PC, it is
The approach promoted by JOICFP is not
easier to
actually against the Catholic religion
introduce
because the IP emphasizes the health of the
FP and
mother and child. Also a project that
people
promotes MCH is more acceptable to the
more
people.
readily
Winifreda de Leon, assistant
appreciate
professor, Department of Parasitology,
the need
Chioma Nkasiobi Amajoh
to imCollege of Public Health, University of
the Philippines
prove the status of their health. Through
*
*
*
health education activities, people can
Parasite control is not only a treatment also be made aware of other problems
of parasite infection but also helps and issues such as environmental
overcome health problems such as anemia. sanitation and the need to change their
Parasite control activities primarily behavior.
improve the living conditions of the peo­
Chioma Nkasiobi Amajoh, assistant
ple through better knowledge of environ­ chiefscientific officer, Parasite Control,
mental sanitation. There is clearly a link Federal Ministry of Health & Human
between the way people use the land and Services, Nigeria
[5]

5

Population Aging

A Grayer
Future for

Japan
Japans elderly to make up
20% of total population in
2007, says NUPRI
The population of Japan is aging
more rapidly than previously expected
with the proportion of elderly reaching
the critical level of 20% in 2007,
according to Nihon University Popu­
lation Research Institute (NUPRI). In a
forecast developed with the aid of
computer simulation, the research
institute also predicted that Japan s
population will continue to risefrom the
123.61 million mark in 1990 to peak at
128.64 million in 2007 andfall to 121.7
million in 2025. Earlier, the Ministry of
Health and Welfare (MOHW) had
forecast that the population would peak
at 130.44 million in 2011.
Dramatic Increase

According to the predictions of
NUPRI, in 2007 Japan will have 26.3
million people aged 65 or older,
comprising 20% of the population. This
will not only mark a dramatic increase
from the 10% that the elderly occupied in
1985, but the 22 years that it will take to
expand the proportion of elderly from
10% to 20% will be the fastest of any
other nation, the institute said.
Commenting on the findings of the
computer simulation, Naohiro Ogawa,
professor of economics, NUPRI, and
deputy director, Nihon University, said
that Japan will have to pioneer in the field
of social policy for the aged since it will
experience the effects of rapid population
aging ahead of all other countries.
According to the forecast, the
proportion of elderly in the population
will peak at 27.28% in 2025 to make
Japan the world’s grayest nation. At this
time, one in every 3.67 people in Japan is
expected to be aged 65 years or older.
Previously, the MOHW had predicted
that the aged would make up 25.8% of
the population and that one in every 3.88
people would be elderly in 2025.
The effects of population aging are
already being felt in many parts of Japan,
6

One out of every two women in their 40s will likely be caring for either a
bedridden or senile elderly person by 2025 in Japan.

particularly in rural areas. In one town in
Yamaguchi Prefecture, for example, the
proportion of elderly has already reached
43%. “Aging is affecting municipalities in
a variety of ways,” said Ogawa. “In some
towns, funeral ceremonies outnumber live
births and seasonal festivals cannot be
held because there are not enough young
people to carry the mikoshi (portable
shrines).”
The institute attributed the rapid aging
of the Japanese population to the falling
birthrate. It estimated that Japan’s total
fertility rate (TFR) will fall from the current
level of 1.53 (1992) to a low of 1.499 in
1997. It is then expected to increase to
1.696 in 2025. Previously, the MOHW
estimated that the TFR would hit an alltime low in 1994 at 1.495.
In addition, NUPRI predicted that
Japanese will also be enjoying longer lives.
The institute estimated that the average
life span for men will increase from 76.11
in 1991 to 77.59 in 2000 and to 79.17 in
2025. For women, the life span is expected
to increase from 82.11 in 1991 to 83.85 in
2000 and to 85.85 in 2025.
The study also highlighted the
increasing burden that will fall on the
shoulders of women as the number of aged
people requiring care increases. Among
women in their 40s, one out of every 15
were likely to be caring for either a
bedridden or senile elderly person in 1990.
In 2025, however, one in every two women

in their 40s is expected to be performing
the same tasks.
The institute also noted that the larger
number of elderly women will present
unique problems in the future. According
to the study, Japan will have 14.3 million
elderly men and 18.9 million elderly
women in 2025 when the proportion of
elderly in the population is expected to
peak. There is also expected to be a
larger number of elderly women than
men living alone. In total, the number of
aged people living alone is expected to
mark 17.7% in 2025, up significantly
from the 10.9% in 1990.

Women to Bear Burden
The institute pointed out that the
increase in the elderly will put pressure
on the family members who support them.
In 1990, the family support ratio of
adults supporting one parent was 0.76.
In 2000, it is expected to fall to 0.52 and
to 0.38 in 2010. According to NUPRI,
the ratio will become the world’s lowest
in 2005 at 0.403.
To cope with the anticipated increases
in the number of aged people, Ogawa
stressed the need to develop community
networks ofpeople to assist elderly people
who are ill or living alone. In its analysis
of the estimates, NUPRI warned that
Japan will need an “ingenious policy” to
cope with the aging of its population, g]
JOICFP NEWS, April 1993

u
Japan

Joined by Threads of Assistance
Japanese students reach out to women in developing countries through sewing machine donations
has continued to attract wide media
attention in Japan. In Setagaya City of
Tokyo, the activities of Taishido Junior
High School were picked by 800,000
citizens as one of the top 10 news items
for the city in 1992. The awareness created
through such media attention has also
attracted support from new sources, and a
fund-raising campaign launched to cover
the costs of shipment of the machines to
developing countries has won assistance
A TV crew covers donation activities
from schools, business and the government.
at Taishido Junior High School.
The assistance from these sources has been
A small-scale assistance projectfirst welcomed by JOICFP since shipment costs
launched by JOICFP in cooperation with have continued to pose an obstacle to the
the students of Taishido Junior High donation of sewing machines abroad.
Most recently, the project received a
School is attracting the attention of a
growing number ofschools and has won grant of ¥1.3 million (US$10,800) from
support from both the business and the NGO Cooperation Center of the
government sectors in Japan. Aimed at Ministry of Foreign Affairs to cover half
assisting women’s development, the the costs of a shipment of 120 sewing
project involves the donation of machines to Vietnam. Sent in December
reconditioned treadle sewing machines last year, the machines were collected from
to women living in areas in developing 11 schools in the Tokyo area. They were
countries where the Integrated Project reconditioned free of charge prior to ship­
(IP) is being implemented. Under the ment by Janome Sewing Machine Co.,
scheme, the sewing machines are being Ltd. The Japan Shipbuilding Foundation
utilizedfor skill training and as a means has also continued to offer strong financial
to generate income for the project and support to the project, most recently
for the women living in the project areas. providing a donation of ¥1 million
To date, a total of 401 machines have (US$8,300) to assist with the shipment of
been donated to six countries in the Asian, the sewing machines to Vietnam.
African and Latin American regions
Students Take Initiative
through the project.
Since it was started in 1988, the project
But perhaps the most heartwarming
support has come from the students of
various schools. In particular, Tokyo Jyoshi
Gakuin High School has displayed keen
interest in supporting women’s devel­
opment activities through the sewing
machine donation project. After the school
donated 24 machines to the IP areas in
Vietnam, the students launched fundraising activities at their school festival to
assist with their shipment. Through
donation boxes, the sale of homemade
Yohei Sasakawa, chairman, Japan Ship­
cookies and the donation of part of the
building Foundation (right), stands with
proceeds of a tea room, the students were
JOICFP Deputy Executive Director
able to raise a total of¥220,000 (US$ 1,800)
Yasuo Konon February 9 after presenting
which they donated to the project. Three
JOICFP with a check for ¥1 million
(US$8,300) toward the shipment costs of
other schools including Taishido Junior
120 reconditioned sewing machines to
High School also provided funds to the
Vietnam. The foundation offered the
project through fund-raising activities.
donation to JOICFP after the project
The most recent shipment of machines
wasfeatured in several leading Japanese
to Vietnam is to be distributed to Quangdien
newspapers including the Mainichi
and Phongdien districts in Thua-Thien Hue
Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun and Yomiuri
Province, and Nghi Loc, Nam Dan and
Shimbun.
Nghi Xuan districts in Nghe An and Ha

ti

JOICFP NEWS, April 1993

Students distribute JOICFP leaflets at
Tokyo Jyoshi Gakuin High School.

Tinh provinces in the central and northern
parts of the country. Previously, 41
sewing machines were distributed in Long
An Province in the south.
[7]

Condom Issue Confuses
Local Governments
Conflicting instructions from the
Health and Welfare Ministry (MOHW)
andthe Management and Coordination
Agency in Japan have local govern­
ments in Japan confused over whether
to ease access to condoms by relaxing
restrictions on the installation of
condom-vending machines.
In a move aimed at combatting the
spread of AIDS, the MOHW instructed
local governments on February 9 to
relax regulations concerning the
installation of condom vending
machines. Noting the increase in the
numberofpeoplecontractingHIV/AIDS
through heterosexual contact, the
ministry said that local governments
should make condoms more easily
available to minors.
However, the local governments
received another instruction on
February 22 from the Management and
Coordination Agency urging them to
exercise caution before relaxing their
regulations. In making itsdecision.the
agency expressed concern about the
consequences of making condoms
more easily available to minors.
As a result of the two sets of
instructions, local governments are
unsure of whether or not to go ahead
with relaxing restrictions. At present,
many local governments ban the
installation of condom vending
machines near schools and along main
routes to schools. Despite the
restrictions, there are still about 30,000
such machines in Japan.

7

H
Voice of Voices

ANNOUNCEMENT

By Chojiro Kunii

Seminar on Population Aging

IP Development in Africa
Since 1987, JOICFP has been holding
regional “PANFRICO” conferences in
Africa every two years to promote the
Integrated Project (IP). In 1992, biannual
IP workshops were also initiated.
In response to requests from govern­
ments of various African countries, non­
governmental organizations and residents
in the IP areas, JOICFP has been dis­
patching experts from Japan and other
Asian countries to explain the IP philo­
sophy and pass on know-how and tech­
nical skills for project implementation.
During its implementation, the project
has achieved some very positive results:
1) it is welcomed everywhere by
community people and the use of parasite
control as an entry point has been effective
for stimulating the people to develop
their communities; (2) it has especially
motivated communities to develop
maternal and child heal th services, family
planning activities and regional devel­
opment projects; and (3) the effects of
the IP in some of the African countries
have drawn the attention of related
agencies such as UN organizations.

Impact of IP
The developments in the IP areas of
Africa have done much to enhance
community participation and have also
had a positive impact on the related
activities of other agencies in recent years,
particularly those of the World Bank,
UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA and IPPF. It is
hoped that further developments will be
made in IP areas in the future that can be
shared at the International Conference
on Population and Development to be
held in Egypt in 1994.
At the first IP workshop in Ethiopia
last year, Ambassador of Japan Hisakazu
Takase spoke passionately about Japan’s
“innovations and past efforts toward
development.” It is my hope that the
Japanese government, parliamentarians’
groups and mass media, take an active
part in the International Conference on
Population and Development.
[j]

CORRECTION
The date of birth of Former Foreign Minister
of Japan Saburo Okita was inadvertently
printed as November 4, 1913, in the March
issue ofJOICFP NEWS. The obituary should
have stated that he was bom on November 3,
1914. We regret the error.

8

Date:
Venue:
Organizers:
Participants:

Theme:
Objectives:

July 5- 16, 1993
Tokyo, Japan
UNFPA, JOICFP
Senior planners and/or administrators responsible for the planning
and management of health/medical services for the elderly and/or
policy researchers in the same field from such countries/areas as
China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand
“Health Promotion and Medical Services for the Elderly”
1) To promote the formulation of health and medical policies and the
development of systems and strategies to meet the expected needs
of societies with aged populations using the experiences of Japan
as a case study.
2) To exchange information, experiences and strategies on aging
issues among participating countries and to develop a regional
collaborative network among policy planners, administrators and
experts in the region.

Note: Self-funded participants are welcome to attend the seminar. For more
information, please contact JOICFP.

DIARY
Federico Aguinaldo Poblete, mayor, Kawit,
Cavite Province, the Philippines, visited
JOICFP to exchange information with JOICFP
officers on Jan. 25.
*
*
*
Ten representatives from five countries attended
the Asian Regional Technical Committee
Meeting on Sustainable Community-based FP/
MCH Project with Special Focus on Women,
held in Tokyo from Jan. 26 - 30. Dr. Huang
Baoshan, director, Department of International
Relations, SFPC, China, and Dr. Firman Lubis,
executive director, YKB, Indonesia, served as
resource persons at the meeting and exchanged
information with officers of the Hoken Kaikan
Group member organizations including JOICFP
during their stay in Japan.
*
*
*
JOICFP Program Officer Ryoko Nishida was
in Ghana to attend the 2nd National Conference
on the IP and monitor the project and in The
Gambia to monitor the IP and exchange
information from Jan. 7 - 24. She was
accompanied by staff member May umi Katsube
who returned to Japan on Jan. 31.
*
*
*
Dr. Haryono Suyono, chairman, National
Family Planning Coordinating Board
(BKKBN), visited JOICFP on Feb. 2 to
exchange information. He was accompanied
by Dr. Abdullah Cholil, deputy, Planning and
Program Analysis, and Dr. Loet Affandi,
deputy, General Affairs, BKKBN, and
Sudirman, third secretary, Embassy of
Indonesia.

*

*

*

Dr. Seiichi Matsumoto, chairman, JFPA, and
JOICFP Program Officer Sumie Ishii and staff
member Sono Aibe were in Malaysia to attend
the IEC Workshop for the Production of Printed
Educational Materials for Preadolescent
Women’s Health, held from Feb. 6-11.

JOICFP ‘Womens JJealth andStatus Series
'_____ A New Animoted Film_________

My Way
13 min., Color/English, Thai

Sexual relationships between teenagers lend to place
young women in much more serious situations, both
physically and mentally, than their oartners. Four young
women are depicted in this film, each with a chance to
have a sexual relationship with her boyfriend. What
desires does each girl feel for her partner? How does
each girl make her own, personal choice?
My Way is the first film in the Women's Health and
Status Series. It was produced specifically for the Asian
region. It is an animated film jointly produced by Japan
and Thailand, the first country in the world Io promote AIDS
education on a nationwide scale.
Distributed by

Sakura Motion Picture Co., Ltd.
Yoyogi Center Bldg., 57-1 Yoyogi 1-chome
Shibuyo-ku, Tokyo 151, Japan
Tel: 81-3-33206311/Fax: 81 3-33207666
Telex: J34799 ITCINBTH

16mm-VTR (Beta, VHS/NTSC, PAL, SECAM)

JOICFP NEWS is a monthly newsletter
published by the Japanese Organization for
International Cooperation in Family Planning,
Inc. (JOICFP).
JOICFP NEWS welcomes your comments,
suggestions and contributions. Please mail to:

JOICFP NEWS
Hokcn Kaikan Bekkan
1-1, Sadohara-cho, Ichigaya
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162 Japan
Phone: 81-3-3268-5875
Telex: 2324584 JOICFP J
Cable Address: JOICFP Tokyo
Facsimile: 81-3-3235-7090
JOICFP NEWS, April 1993
Media
NO. 226 APRIL 1993.pdf

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