JOICFP NEWS NO. 241 JULY 1994
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- JOICFP NEWS NO. 241 JULY 1994
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NO. 241 July 1994
ISSN 0911-0755
JOICFP NEWS
Revitalized IPPF Faces Challenges of 1990s
Mahler examines challenges of
federation and member FPAs
ahead of 2000
As secretary-general of the IPPF, Dr.
Halfdan Mahler has overseen the revitalization
of the federation and member family planning
associations (FPAs) that has occurred in recent
years. Mahler spoke with JOICFP NEWS
about the challenges of the federation’s
Strategic Vision 2000 and his expectations for
JOICFP under the Japan’s new Global Issues
Initiative (GII) on population and AIDS. Below
are highlights of his interview on May 26.
Two important things have been happening
in the last few years in IPPF. For the first time,
a global policy was unanimously adopted by all
FPAs when they met in Berlin in 1992. This is
called Vision 2000. Secondly, we have
provoked all the associations to look into the
mirror and to realize that it is time for a good
bit of face-lifting if they truly are to be relevant
to the challenges facing us in the 1990s. The
majority of FPAs that have gone through this
catharsis have recognized that it is no longer
good enough to do more of the same, but that
there is the need for a fundamental change in
<
Mahler with former Japanese Prime
Minister Takeo Fukuda.
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priorities and the way that such
new priorities are
operationalized.
I will repeat the six
challenges confronting the
federation and all the
constituent FPAs. First, from
now we are committed to reach
out to the poorest, whether they
are in urban slums or remote
areas. Clearly, we cannot
pretend to be the leader and
conscience of the FP movement
unless we are willing to
demonstrate to governments
Dr. Halfdan Mahler; secretary-general of IPPF.
that this hard-core of the
problem can be faced with
imagination and courage.
large extent been tyrannized by males for the
Second, we can no longer just speak about
last couple of decades. For this reason, in most
contraceptive prevalence rates. Women
programs women have been treated as objects
increasingly insist that they want a broader
definition of FP to focus on reproductive health of male ambitions of population reduction. So
the empowerment of women becomes of great
and all this implies for them. Women in
particular are also demanding that we face up to significance to any kind of program if it is to be
sensitive and relevant to women’s realities.
the intimately related subject of sexual health.
Looking at Japan, I have just come from the
Thirdly, we have committed ourselves to
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and I believe I sense
eliminate unsafe abortion and to promote safe,
a very different climate than I have encountered
legal abortion wherever that is possible.
in previous visits. The GII is a new era opening
I would say even when it does not seem to be
possible. Fourth, the quality of both sexual and up for JOICFP. By necessity, it will have to
rethink where it wants to go in order to meet
reproductive healthcare in far too many
the high expectations that the government of
countries is of an appallingly low quality.
Japan has for JOICFP becoming a very
Again, we must provoke governments into
important cooperating agency in the implemen
realizing that women will not avail themselves
tation of the GII. I believe this will imply a
of services or will stop making use of services
major expansion of the capacities of JOICFP in
if there is not a choice of high-quality contra
addition to an adjustment of its priorities in the
ception and, when necessary, safe abortion.
light of these new challenges. This is a very
Fifth, 500 million young people are
between 15 and 19 years old today. Very few of exciting challenge for JOICFP because it will
make it possible for JOICFP to become not
them are given even a minimum of attention to
only an important national organization in the
enable them to understand how to deal with
their sexuality and that sexuality is a wonderful field of reproductive health, but also by virtue
force that is not given by the devil but probably of its being a cooperating agency for the GII, a
very visible international organization. I only
by a well-meaning god. Obviously this strong
hope that JOICFP will have all the emotional
force has to be realized with tender care and
and intellectual energies required in order to go
responsibility.
through this transformation process.
Sixth, reproductive health or FP has to a
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Japan
Mahler Optimistic on GII
During his stay in Japan from May 24 - 27,
Dr. Halfdan Mahler, secretary-general, IPPF,
held discussions with prominent parliamentar
ians and government officials. On May 26, he
met with one of the leading figures in the
population field in Japan, former Prime
Minister Takeo Fukuda, president, JOICFP.
During the exchange, the former premier
responded positively to Mahler’s urging that he
personally attend the International Conference
on Population and Development (ICPD), to be
Global
ICPD. He also conveyed his hope that the
ICPD would be effective for discussing
population strategies for the next century.
In response, Mahler expressed optimism for
Japan’s new Global Issues Initiative (GII) and
commented that he sensed a more positive and
open governmental attitude toward population
issues. For many years, Mahler explained, he
has been urging Japan to take a leadership role
in social development, especially through
population and family planning (FP) assistance.
Under the GII, this may now become a
reality, he said.
The GII was also discussed by
Mahler at a meeting with Norio Hattori,
deputy director general, Bureau of
Economic Cooperation, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs on May 26. During the
meeting, Hattori expressed that non
governmental organizations (NGOs)
will play an important role in materializ
ing the initiative. As an NGO with over
25 years of experience in international
population assistance, JOICFP will have
a significant role to play, he said.
Mahler explained that IPPF has
extensive experience in the field and can
provide valuable assistance to the
Japanese government in implementing the GII.
He also stressed the effectiveness of using
NGOs, adding that JOICFP can provide
valuable support to the government.
U'll
Mahler with Norio Hattori (center) and IPPF
assistant secretary-general, Mark Laskin.
held in Cairo in September. Showing keen
interest in the conference, Fukuda expressed his
hopes for the two-day international parliamen
tarians meeting, to be held two days before the
Reproductive Health - (Jiving Women More
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In his interview with JOICFP NEWS on May 26, Dr. Mahler spoke about the growing
emphasis on the concept of reproductive health. Below are his comments.
Let us not have too big a hang-up about semantics. When women have demanded a
departure from FP, it is because it has the sinister population control connotation. Also,
women are not only concerned about the prevention of pregnancies. They are concerned
about the broader concept of well-being related to both their sexuality and reproduction.
As for the “family” in the term family planning, many of us are not living in a family. But
does this mean that we do not have a right to be able to take care of our fertility and
sexuality in a positive way? Also “planning” is very related to the concept of imposing
something on women, in particular, and on families — rather than letting them decide for
themselves how often they want to have and when they want a child by choice and not by
chance. In other words, women do not want to be treated as objectives of men’s manipulations. As has been said many times, they want to be the subjects of their own development.
This is not just development in the narrow framework of contraception, but is in the broad
context of their sexual and reproductive well-being. Top-down, narrow-minded
contraception must be replaced by much broader women-focused, quality support that
integrates both sexual and reproductive health in a woman’s total life.
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Population Issues
- Japan’s Role
The effectiveness of using academic
research to guide government policy on
international assistance in the population and
family planning (FP) field was stressed by
JOICFP at a symposium organized as part of a
meeting of the Population Association of Japan,
held in Tokyo on June 3 and 4. Noting the
significance of the joint Japan-U.S. Global
Issues Initiative (GII) to population activities,
JOICFP called on the Japanese government to
establish a more concrete policy for population
assistance and urged that academics take an
active part in this process.
The annual meeting was the 46th for the
association, the only academic circle of its kind
for demographers of Japan. The highlight of
the event was a symposium held on the
afternoon of June 4 under the overall theme of
“Can the earth’s population be maintained
under 10 billion?” This event featured
presentations by four speakers followed by a
panel discussion.
Dr. Makoto Ato, director, Institute of
Population Problems, Ministry of Health and
Welfare (MOHW), spoke first on the theme of
“Sustainable development and population
control.” He was followed by Dr. Shigemi
Kono, professor, Reitaku University, who spoke
on “Women’s role and the population issue.”
“The effectiveness of FP programs” was the
theme of the next speaker, Dr. Kenji Hayashi,
director, Department of Demography and
Health Statistics, Institute of Public Health,
MOHW. Meanwhile, Dr. Tatsuro Kunugi,
professor, International Christian University,
spoke on “Population policy and human rights.”
For JOICFP, it was the first time to actively
participate in the symposium. Dr. Hiroshi
Obuchi, professor, Chuo University, and
JOICFP Program Officer Kiyoko Ikegami
served as discussants to stimulate discussions.
Focusing on Japan’s international role,
Ikegami noted that Japan can share its experi
ences of population transition and can more
actively participate in population assistance in
developing countries. To achieve the second
aim, Ikegami urged that Japan establish a
framework for population assistance policy
based on the ideals of humanistic FP and that
NGOs be effectively used for implementation
of FP and population programs.
JOICFP NEWS, July 1994
China
A Learning Experience
in China
Among the prominent issues
discussed at the workshop was the
need to use parasite control (PC) more
effectively as a springboard for other
health-related activities. Participants
emphasized that PC is not an end in
itself, but should be used as a tool for
health education to promote awareness
of health and to motivate people to
join project activities and take care of
their own health.
Prior to the workshop, a joint
JOICFP-Chinese team of experts
conducted monitoring in Taicang City
of Jiangsu Province, the original site
of the project. Joined by
-4 Miao woman with two children in Duyun City.
representatives of the third-phase IP
areas of Yunnan and Hunan provinces,
The promotion of the project in Duyun faces
the team also conducted monitoring in two
unique challenges since population issues of
fourth-phase sites, where the project was
minority groups are given special consideration
launched in 1993. In Taicang, the team visited
under China’s population policy. Meanwhile,
the Taicang IP Center, managed
Sichuan Province, the most populous in China,
by the Taicang Family Planning
Association and locally known as has a population 110 million. In Nanchuan
County, where farmers’ net income per capita is
the Taicang Family Health
Service Center. During their
648 yuan, the population is 650,000.
The mission’s assessment and comments
visits on May 6,7 and 30, the
mission observed activities of the about the new project areas were utilized in the
workshop to guide discussions. The insights
center, which provides PC,
FP/MCH care and services for the gained into the Taicang Family Health Service
aged and runs an IEC and training Center were also shared with participants and
incorporated into recommendations. In
department. The center is plan
ning to offer a range of healthcare particular, participants suggested that the
services on a fee-charged basis to experiences of the center be utilized by other IP
areas to assist with the reorganization of
promote self-reliance.
Young women discuss issues at a premarital education
existing
MCH institutions.
To
gain
an
understanding
of
class in Yuyao City.
the issues and problems in
implementing the project in
Launched in 1984, the IP is now in its
fourth phase areas, the mission visited
fourth phase and is being promoted in 18
Duyun City, Qiannan Buyi and Miao
project areas in 16 provinces of mainland
Minority Autonomous Prefecture in
China. The main aim of the workshop was to
Guizhou Province, and Nanchuan County,
enhance the effectiveness of IP implementation. Peilin Prefecture in Sichuan Province,
It was attended by 60 participants including
from May 8-18.
central level experts, government officials,
Poverty is wide spread in Guizhou,
representatives of non-governmental organiza
which has a population of 33.6 million.
Some 10 million people live below the
tions (NGOs), representatives of the first,
second and fourth phase IP areas and experts
poverty line, while 35% of the population
dispatched by JOICFP. To promote the
represent ethnic minority groups. In
exchange of information and experiences, the
Duyun, a city of 430,000, farmers’ net
workshop included three days of presentations,
income per capita is 501 yuan (against the
>4 boy tries a new water pump in Nanchuan
a two-day field trip to Yuyao City and two days
national average of 921 yuan in 1993).
County.
of discussions.
Minorities make up 63% of the population.
Protecting the health of mothers and
children, promoting the development of a
healthy young generation, improving the
standard of living and contributing to the
happiness of families were noted as key goals
of the family planning and maternal and child
health (FP/MCH) activities of the Integrated
Project (IP) at the National Workshop on the IP,
held in Yuyao City, Ningpo Municipality,
Zhejiang Province, China, from May 20 - 26.
In recommendations made at the workshop,
participants emphasized the importance of
promoting the concept of voluntary FP
acceptance and recommended that contracep
tive counseling be strengthened for eligible
couples to reflect their needs. To achieve this
and a second aim of reducing the number of
induced abortions, participants called for
improvements in contraceptive effectiveness
and the promotion of systematic management
and regular checkups.
JOICFP NEWS, July 1994
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FP/MCH Seminar
Innovative Ways to Reach Audiences
with FP/MCH Messages
Senior family planning (FP) administrators
and managers from 11 countries came up with
effective strategies to get their messages across
utilizing the educational Magnel Kit during the
Seminar on Community-based Family Planning
A participant uses the Magnet Kit in a role play.
Strategy held in Japan from May 16 - June 10.
The seminar also introduced participants to the
Japanese postwar experience in FP and
maternal and child health (MCH) promotion
and provided insights into the effectiveness of
using the community as a force to promote and
conduct healthcare activities.
During a field trip to Hokkaido Prefecture
in northern Japan, the participants were able to
observe FP/MCH, preventive healthcare and
school health activities. They also spoke with
over 100 women working as MCH and health
volunteers, many of whom have remained
active in the healthcare field since the postwar
period. In comments made to the participants,
the leader of the MCH volunteers, Mieko
Hayashi, said that women make up 50% of the
world’s population, and can achieve a great
deal.
Organized by JOICFP, the seminar was
sponsored by the Japan International Coopera
tion Agency (JICA). Participants were from
Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Fiji, Ghana, Indone
sia, Mexico, Peru, Saint Lucia, Tanzania and
Tunisia. Dr. Minoru Muramatsu, former
chairman, Population Association of Japan, was
course leader for the event.
For most participants, the seminar was their
first opportunity to use the Magnel Kit, a visual
aid designed for teaching reproductive healthrelated subjects. The kit is composed of a twosided white panel with the male and female
reproductive organs and various magnetic vinyl
images. Working in three groups, the partici
pants created instruction manuals and devel
oped innovative approaches to reach audiences
with messages on prenatal and postnatal care;
sex education for adolescents;
and various contraceptives,
particularly the IUD and
condom. The approaches
were then presented as role
plays to elicit feedback from
participants and IEC experts
as part of the learning process.
The Magnel Kit
presentations served as a
highlight for the participants
who expressed their pleasure
at receiving a kit for use in
their countries. Commenting
on the kit’s effectiveness, the
Egyptian participant said he would use it in his
lectures at the FP center for training doctors,
nurses and FP workers. He added that the kit
would be effective for overcoming taboos and
dispelling myths. The participant from Saint
Lucia, meanwhile, was impressed with the kit’s
versatility. She said she would use her kit for
various purposes and for a range of audiences.
The seminar was an effective forum for
honing the communication skills of the
participants and for the exchange of informa
tion on strategies. Various issues were given
emphasis during the discussions, particularly
women’s status; quality of care; and FP as part
of an integrated approach incorporating MCH,
health and welfare. Participants were also
concerned about the importance of reconciling
the macro approach to population issues and the
micro view of individuals affected by
population policies and plans. They stressed the
need to consider planning at the village level
and to discuss how FP contributes to the health
and happiness of individuals and families.
Summing up the lessons learned at the
seminar, the representative from Fiji
commented that it is important to remember
that people are the resources of a program and
that if the promoters do not believe in people’s
potential, they will not be successful. There
fore, he said, promoters have to be motivated.
“We all go back to change our communities,”
he added.
4
A Motivating
Experience
Dr. Setareki Yaco Vatucawaqa, acting subdivisional medical officer, Ministry of Health,
Fiji, took part in the Seminar on Community
based FP Strategy. Below are some of his
impressions conveyed to JOICFP NEWS in an
interview on June 8.
The seminar has been a very valuable
experience for me. I have been able to learn
how the community people in postwar Japan
worked together, how they set out specific
objectives and achieved each of these.
The field trip to Hokkaido was a real eyeopener. I learned how women are able to work
hand-in-hand tirelessly. How they can care for
the welfare of another woman giving birth
without expecting anything in return. There is
a uniformity among the women volunteers I
met in Japan. All are highly motivated. Age
has not deterred the MCH volunteers in
Hokkaido. They are still active in MCH and
have moved into the more general area of health
as health promoters. They take pride in their
work - something I would like to cultivate in
the women’s groups in Fiji. I have learned here
that if we take pride in something, then we will
give our all to
achieve a goal.
I also took great
delight in
participating in the
use of the Magnel
Kit, a very exciting
tool for FP
education. The kit
is a very useful IEC
Setareki Vatucawaqa
material that can be
used for educating
various target groups. It would also be very
useful in my subdivision which is geographi
cally large and mountainous. It is light and
compact, which makes it useful for travel.
It was exciting to find out what is
happening in other developing countries
through the seminar. When you are in a little
comer staring at your own problems, they tend
to get big and you tend to lose your motivation.
But by sitting with people from other countries,
you learn to appreciate your own situation. It is
another reawakening to realize that you have
resources. You find yourself asking, “why not
tap them more to do another job better next
time around?”
JOICFP NEWS, July 1994
Africa
Community
People Join
Hands in Ghana
Nil Adote Addo, program director, Planned
Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), is
actively involved in the Integrated Project (IP)
in Ghana. He spoke with JOICFP NEWS on
June 8 about the project.
The IP should be considered the most
successful project of PPAG. Among the family
planning (FP) acceptance rates of the whole
association, only in the IP area is there a high
contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR). The
project has been able to motivate people to
work to solve their own problems. Women with
children, for example, are motivated to attend
the maternal and child health (MCH) clinics especially the child immunization sessions. As
a result, the immunization rate is comparatively
high in IP areas.
We attribute the success of the IP to the
project staff working in the field who are
willing to travel regularly and do very intense
activities. In rural areas, the literacy rate is
very low. At the start of the project we realized
that the most effective form of IEC was face-toface communication. Therefore, field workers
visit regularly, going into the field three days a
week to do IEC activities. People have come to
realize that the project is good for their health
and we have been able to achieve success,
particularly in FP and immunization.
Another factor is the community-based
distribution (CBD) agents, who are selected by
the villagers and trained by PPAG. The CBD
agents distribute contraceptives in the commu
nities and conduct community health education.
They are very committed, especially to FP
promotion. They work as volunteers without
remuneration except for 40% of the sales of
contraceptives, which is a nominal amount.
Because of their difficult economic situation,
however, we must consider the issue of how to
BDs - a Link to the People in
Tanzania
Tengio Urrio, coordinator, Service
Delivery, Family Planning Association of
Tanzania (UMATI), has long been involved in
the Integrated Project (IP). He shared his
insights into the project with JOICFP NEWS on
June 8. Below are highlights.
The IP started in Masama and at first only
involved a few villages. The Masama project
has been very successful and now covers the
whole Hai District with a total land area of
2,180km2. In 1992, we extended to a second
project area and now we have projects in Hai
District, Kilimanjaro Region, and in Mgeta,
Morogoro Region.
The project has been very well accepted by
the communities. In Hai District, for example,
the government health center register shows
that the CPR has increased significantly since
the project start.
We introduced CBD agents for FP promo
tion early in the project. They are very
motivated and hard working. One of the
reasons for their motivation is the strong group
spirit. We encourage this spirit and get the
CBDs to develop their own projects and to
work together. For example, some CBDs sew
JOICFP NEWS, July 1994
together and sell the materials. Some also have
small vegetable gardens. When they meet as a
group, they discuss their joint activities. They
share the proceeds from these activities among
themselves and their families.
Another factor that keeps down the CBD
drop-out rate is regular supervision. We get a
lot of support from the zone office of UMATI.
Once a month the CBDs are visited by a
supervisor. They discuss activities and their
supplies are replenished.
Within the community, the CBDs work at
the family level and can cover groups that have
not been covered before. This is why they are
effective. Family planning services provided
by clinics have problems of accessibility.
The CBDs, however, provide a more
personal service. They are actively involved in
IEC and the provision of services within the
community. They are known and trusted by the
people they serve and they speak the same
language. The women especially know that the
CBD will be able to deliver the services and
goods, that the CBD is always well-supplied
with contraceptives. There is a confidence in
the CBDs.
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sustain their
interest and
activities in
the future.
Currently,
we are
looking into
establishing
a revolving
fund for
NiiAdoteAddo
income
generating
activities for
women. We are also educating communities on
the importance of contributing funds to support
project activities. We are discussing the
possibility of setting up a clinic to serve a
group of villages in the area and are seriously
looking at the issue of expanding MCH
activities in the surrounding communities.
Securing safe drinking water is another serious
issue for many villages, especially in the dry
season. Solving this issue will go a long way
towards solving health problems.
Another very important aspect of the CBD
agents’ work is that they serve as a means of
communication with the formal health system.
For the community people, it has been difficult
to obtain services, to go to hospitals. But the
CBDs serve as a link. They can tell them where
to get clinical services and can even refer them
to the formal health system.
In Morogoro where we have trained CBDs
we have had some very encouraging results.
The CBDs’
statistics
show an
increasing
CPR, which
has risen
from 6.7%
in 1990, to
reach 39.9%
in 1993
(sample
survey
Tengio Urrio
results). We
use the same
strategy in this area as in the Kilimanjaro
Region, with one exception. Since this area is
closer to the city, we have mobilized the
community to become involved in vegetable
farming for supply to the city markets. In the
future, we expect this project to help improve
the socioeconomic situation of the villagers.
Around the World
Working Toward
Self-reliance in
Nepal
A Japanese technical expert produced a
range of simple suggestions on how to refine
project implementation and promote selfreliance during a visit to Nepal from May 16 28. In Katmandu, the technical assistance was
provided to the school health program, which is
run by the Family Planning Association of
Nepal (FPAN). Technical guidance was also
provided to project staff in Panchkhal, a project
site of the UNFPA-supported, regional
Sustainable Community-based FP/MCH Project
with Special Focus on Women. Coordinated
through JOICFP, the activity was supported by
funds from the Voluntary Deposit for Interna
tional Aid (VDIA) scheme of the Ministry of
Posts and Telecommunications of Japan.
The technical assistance mission to Nepal
was the second for Takaaki Hara, director,
Research and Study Department, Japan
Association of Parasite Control (JAPC), who
visited Nepal in 1992. In providing technical
Mobilizing Health Workers
with Bicycles in Sierra Leone
Two member cities of the Municipal
Coordinating Committee for Overseas Bicycle
Assistance (MCCOBA) received a courtesy call
in May from Yoshio Koike, UNFPA country
director, Siena Leone. Koike visited
Kawaguchi and
Tokorozawa cities,
which together with
Nerima City
recently donated
150 reconditioned
bicycles to Siena
Leone through
Koike with Yoji Nagase.
UNFPA. The
bicycles, the first
MCCOBA shipment to Siena Leone, are
scheduled to anive on July 19.
During his visit to the Kawaguchi City
Office on May 9, Koike expressed his gratitude
to Mayor Yoji Nagase. Providing an outline of
the situation in Sierra Leone and the needs of
the people, Koike explained that the country
assistance, Hara called on his deep
understanding of the Integrated Project
in Thailand, Indonesia and other IPimplementing countries, where mass,
fee-charged parasite control activities
are utilized to promote self-reliance
and as an entry point to inspire
community participation in other
activities such as family planning (FP)
and maternal and child health (MCH)
care.
Prior to making his evaluation and
recommendations, Hara spent a week
Project promotion staff with students in Katmandu.
in Katmandu observing all the
activities related to the project
including campaign promotion activities,
laboratory work and activities within the
likely become self-sufficient.
schools. Based on his observation, Hara
Meanwhile, in Panchkhal, Hara provided a
concluded that the school health program could
one-day seminar for community health workers
become self-reliant by systematizing activities
(CHWs) of each village and the members of the
and gearing them up to a fully mass approach.
cooperating committee. Noting a demand from
Specifically, he recommended that the
local people for deworming drugs, Hara urged
involvement of students in the project be
that PC services be provided on a mass basis in
increased by more effectively targeting the
the area by personnel working out of a mobile
estimated 120,000 primary school students in
unit. Hara also had suggestions to make about
the city. He said that if the stool submission
the use of rain water for drinking. Noting the
rate could be increased from the present 3040% to reach 60%, the project could break even absence of convenient water supplies, he
recommended using the Thai experience of
financially. If the activities were conducted
making water tanks from local materials.
twice a year as in Indonesia, the project would
New JOICFP Publication
was ranked 176th out of 176 countries on the
UNDP’s Human Development Index in 1993.
The bicycles, he
said, would be
mainly distributed
through UNFPA
channels to health
workers working at
the community
level. He said that
Koike with Hiroshi Saito.
he was planning to
attach UNFPA and
family planning (FP) messages on the bicycles.
In a meeting with Mayor Hiroshi Saito of
Tokorozawa City on May 11, Koike empha
sized that the bicycles were an appropriate
means of transport particularly in the rural
areas of Sierra Leone where fuel is expensive
and where car parts are often scarce. The
bicycles will be effective for expanding health
services in remote areas, he said.
A second shipment of 75 bicycles is
scheduled to reach Sierra Leone in November.
The bicycles are to be donated to the Planned
Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone.
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The Report of the African Regional
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J Workshop on the Integrated Project
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• (PANFRICOIV) was published in booklet •
e form in May by JOICFP under the title of e
• Nutrition as an Integral Part of Family
•
• Planning Promotion. A 25-page
• pubheation, the booklet is based on the •
• discussions of PANFRICO IV, held in
*
Banjul, The Gambia, •
from September 27 - *
[NUTRITION
October 1,1993. The •
meeting was conducted *
as part of the UNFPA- •
supported regional
*
project entitled
•
“Promotion of
e
Integrated Family
•
e Planning Project with Primary Health
e
• Care Service for Sub-Sahara Africa”
•
• (RAF/92/P07). The meeting was also
J
• supported by IPPF. The booklet was
•
• produced as a reference material for
t
• project planners and managers.
•
JOICFP NEWS, July 1994
In the News
Give Women
Work and Fertility
Will Fall
Giving women paying work and raising
their status can be more effective for increasing
family planning (FP) acceptance than a direct
service promotion approach, said Akihiko
Yoshida, professor, Sanno Junior College.
Speaking at a study meeting of the Council on
Population Education at JOICFP on May 12,
Yoshida presented a case study of the impact of
grape cultivation on the women of an area in
Nordeste, a region in the northeast of Brazil.
The meeting was attended by 40 population
experts, academics and journalists. Below is
an outline of Yoshida’s presentation.
For any FP program, Nordeste presented a
challenge. A region of widespread poverty, the
life expectancy in Nordeste was 51 years in
1984, while the infant mortality rate was 124.5
per 1,000 live births. The population was
predominantly Catholic and most child bearing
for women started at 15-16 years old.
Governments
Reach Out
Members of the Municipal Coordinating
Committee for Overseas Bicycle Assistance
(MCCOBA) agreed to send 3,225 reconditioned
bicycles in 32 shipments to 22 countries in
Asia, Africa and Latin America in fiscal 1994
(April 1, 1994 - March 31,1995) at a general
meeting, held at Musashino City on May 16.
The new donations will bring the number of
bicycles sent abroad by MCCOBA to a total of
12,725 by the end of fiscal 1994.
To smooth implementation of the bicycle
donation scheme, members agreed to increase
the number of spare parts sent to recipient
countries. MCCOBA was advised of the need
for additional spare parts by reports that noted
the extensive use of the bicycles in the often
difficult terrain of rural areas.
MCCOBA members also agreed to apply
once again for Japanese official development
JOICFP NEWS, July 1994
However, when a small farm near the city
of Petrolina succeeded in producing grape
varieties that were suitable to the hot, dry
conditions of the area, something very positive
happened for the women of the area. The
enterprise hired women to cultivate the grapes.
Chosen over men for their production skills, the
women found themselves in the secure position
of paid employment.
As they began to earn more than their
husbands, the women’s status improved
markedly and many aspects of daily life began
to change. The average age of the first
marriage of the women group leaders increased
significantly to reach the present 24-25 years.
The average number of children for the women
working on the farm is now only half that of
unemployed women living in the area. Married
women with children have fewer deliveries than
they expect after commencing work on the farm
and have considerably fewer than other women
in the area.
The lessons of Nordeste are clear. If
women have higher status, they are more likely
to choose to have fewer children. An approach
that is aimed at improving the many aspects in
women’s lives such as income and job opportu
nities will be welcomed by women and
assistance (ODA) funds through Grassroot Aid
(previously called Small Scale Grant
Assistance) to support shipping costs. The
organization has received funds through the
scheme for the past two years. It was noted at
the meeting that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
has also approved some funds towards shipment
costs.
Despite an increase in the shipment budget
to ¥35 million (US$330,000 at an exchange rate
of US$1 to ¥106) in fiscal 1994, the shortage of
shipping funds remains the biggest hurdle to
answering the increasing requests from
developing countries for reconditioned bicycles.
Due to the fund shortage, only 3,225 of the
4,050 bicycles available from MCCOBA will
be sent abroad this fiscal year.
Another major item discussed at the
meeting was the effective use of space in the
shipping containers between the bicycles for
sending other donated items. Members noted
that the space, already used for stationery goods
donated by MCCOBA members, could be more
fully utilized for sending office and medical
equipment that has been made available from
public institutions under the National and Local
Government Property Transfer Law.
7
ultimately more effective than a simplified
direct FP approach. The issue of women in
I
CI
Akihiko Yoshida
development is therefore extremely important
to FP and population programs and needs to be
discussed seriously at the International
Conference on Population and Development
(ICPD) to be held in Cairo in September.
Bright Population Message
•
An 8-year-old boy from Thailand,
• Sittiphol Charatwat, took top honors in
e UNFPA’s International Population
• Poster Contest this year with a colorful
9 entry under the theme of “Population • Key to the 21st Century.” The student,
e who was selected on April 25 from
• among 237 entries from 57 countries,
• has been invited to Cairo to attend the
• awards ceremony to be held prior to the
• International Conference on Population
• and Development (ICPD) in September.
J
Sponsored by UNFPA, the poster
• contest was first launched in 1991 with
• the cooperation of governments, non• governmental organizations and other
• organizations concerned with
• population. A goal of the contest is to
• promote awareness and understanding
• of population issues, particularly the
• relati onship between e nvironmental a nd
• social problems and population.
®
Prior to being sent to UNFPA in
• New York, the posters underwent
• selection at the country level. For the
• final decision on the five categories, the
• entries were viewed by a judging panel
• comprising UNFPA executive
• committee members and guest members
• from the Population Council.
•
•
e
•
e
•
e
•
J
•
J
•
J
•
J
•
J
•
•••••••••••••••••••••
.«• -s'*
■ ' ■*
-i-
their present quality of life. Through struggle,
the people were able t^sufyive the /amine,
By Chojiro Kunii
poverty and disease that w^re-reted-to the
. population probtem. As we overcame poverty
and our standard.of living rose to the present
Thoughts on Cairo
level, we gained considerable confidence.
A clear direction and agenda are essential
Without a doubt, population poses the
to the International Conference on Population
greatest challenge to humankind. I therefore
and Development (ICPD). These, I believe,
beheve that it is time to speak out and share our
will determine its success.
experiences. Through our struggles to survive
If our experience in Japan is anything to go the hunger and pervasive poverty of the postwar
on, I believe that it is possible to solve world
years, we learned a valuable lesson: if we have
population problems. My optimism is based on the will to survive, we can endure any hardship.
the experience of the Japanese people who
The words “to live through” imply that people
overcame their postwar difficulties to obtain
can face up to and endure difficulties. Clearly,
VOICE OF VOICES
if
... JI
attend the workshop. For further details,
please contact MEXFAM or JOICFP.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Seminar on Population Aging 1994
The Latin American IEC
Workshop on Adolescent Health
MEXFAM (Mexican Foundation for Family
Planning) and JOICFP are organizing a regional
workshop for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Theme: IEC on Adolescent Health
Date: October 10-12,1994
Venue: Pdtzcuaro, State of Michoacan, Mexico
Organizers: MEXFAM and JOICFP
Sponsors: UNFPA and IPPF
Participants: Representatives from Bolivia,
Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican
Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras,
Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru,
UNFPA, IPPF, UNICEF and PAHO
Note: Self-funded observers are welcome to
DIARY
Theme: “Aging population and social services community support systems for the elderly and
the family.”
Date: October 19- 28,1994
Venue: Tokyo and Hiroshima Prefecture
Organizer: JOICFP
Sponsor: UNFPA
Participants: Senior planners and/or program
managers responsible for community health and
welfare programs and/or policy researchers in
the same field from the nine Asian countries/
areas of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea,
Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka
and Thailand
Note: Self-funded observers are welcome.
For further details, please contact JOICFP.
() _______________________________
o
- JOICFP Program Officer Aiko lijima and
()
Fumiko Mukaigawara, matron, Kofu Jonan
()
O
Hospital, were in Nepal from Mar. 1 -17 to
(>
provide technical assistance to staff of the
Sustainable Community-based FP/MCH Project O
with Special Focus on Women.
O
- Dr. Toshio Kuroda, director emeritus, Nihon
o
University Population Research Institute; Dr.
o
Fumie Kumagai, professor, Graduate School of o
International Cooperation, Department of Foreign C)
Studies, Kyorin University; and Dr. Kenji
()
Hayashi, director, Department of Demography
and Health Statistics, Institute of Public Health, C)
C)
Ministry of Health and Welfare, were resource
C)
persons for the Workshop on Population Aging,
o
held from Mar. 14 - 17 in Singapore. They were
accompanied by JOICFP Program Officer Ryoko ()
o
Nishida and staff member Lisa Asamura.
()
-Dr. Helen Wallace, professor of MCH,
C)
Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego
O
State University, visited JOICFP on Mar. 25 to
()
exchange information.
- JOICFP Program Officer Ryoko Nishida visited ()
ESCAP in Thailand to exchange information on
the regional project on aging, and visited UNFPA
and the Department of Health in the Philippines to
discuss planning of the UNFPA-assisted project,
while in the two countries from Mar. 20 - 27.
-Jane Fonda, goodwill ambassador of UNFPA,
and Peter Bahouth, director, Turner Foundation,
visited JOICFP on Mar. 30 to exchange
information.
- JOICFP Program Officer Sumie Ishii and staff
member Sono Aibe were in Thailand and Laos
from Mar. 16-27 and Mar. 15-31, respectively,
for activities of the Sustainable Community-based
FP/MCH Project with Special Focus on Women.
-Dr. Norlji Suzuki, professor emeritus, Kochi
Medical College; Dr. Takashi Onogawa, director,
First Department, and Takaaki Sambe, vice
director, Second Department, Central Research
Laboratory, Tokyo Health Service Association,
were in China from Mar. 21 - Apr. 3 for technical
training at the Taicang IP Center. They were
accompanied by JOICFP Program Officer
Yoshitatsu Kanno.
8
an ability to face adversity played a role in the
Japanese people’s struggle against poverty.
During their struggle, the people took the
initiative to make their lives better. This
motivation is the key to success. If you
maintain this spirit, you will not only be able to
survive, but you will improve your life. It is
vital that people persevere in their efforts to
raise their standards of living.
With strong determination and persistent
efforts, I am sure people can solve the problems
of humankind related to population issues. The
Japanese people were able to settle their
problems in this way and I am convinced that
these experiences can now be adapted to assist
people in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
With a strong will, much can be achieved.
The threat of disease can be reduced and social
development activities such as education can be
promoted. As a first step, I suggest that the
people who lead us should be the first to take
action so that others may follow.
JOICF'P ‘Womens 9Jecdth andStatus Series
________ A New Animated Film_________
My Way
13 min., Color/English, Thai
Sexual relationships between teenagers tend Io place
young women in much more serious situations, both
physically and mentally, than their partners. 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. Il is an animated film jointly produced by Japan
and Thailand, the first country in the world to 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, jopon
Tel: 81 -3-33206311/Fox: 81-3-332O7666
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
Hoken Kalkan Bekkan
1-1, Ichigaya Sadohara-cho
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162 Japan
Phone: 81-3-3268-5875
Facsimile: 81-3-3235-7090
JOICFP NEWS, July 1994
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