NO. 228 JUNE 1993.pdf

Media

extracted text
No. 228 June 1993

ISSN 0911-0755

JOICFPNEWS
Local Governments Reach Out
Bicycle donation scheme deepens understanding of developing countries in Japan

Community-based distributors with donated bicycles in Tanzania.
Top officials of Japanese local
governments welcomed a new era of
international cooperation at the first
General Meeting of the Municipal
Coordinating Committee for Overseas
Bicycle Assistance (MCCOBA), held on
April 27 in Tokyo. Attended by the
mayors of all 14 member cities of
MCCOBA, the event affirmed that the
association of local governments work­
ing to support healthcare and
development activities in developing
countries through the donation of
reconditioned bicycles had indeed come
of age. Kazutoshi Kato, mayor of
Toshima City, Tokyo, was elected as the
first president of MCCOBA, and Tama
City Mayor Chiaki Usui and Omiya City
Mayor Takahiro Shindo were voted in as
the first vice presidents at the meeting.
A reception held after the meeting
was attended by 100 people including
Japanese parliamentarians and govern­
ment officials, embassy officials from
10 countries and representatives of
UNFPA, IPPFand the World Bank. One
of the highlights of the event was a

speech delivered by Philippine Ambas­
sador to Japan Domingo Siazon, who
expressed appreciation for MCCOBA’s
efforts on behalf of the embassies of
countries that have received donations
under the scheme. Minister of State for
Management
and
Coordi n ati o n
Michihiko
Kano
also
spoke at the
event. A strong
supporter of
population and
development
activities and a
member of the
Japan Parlia­
Kazutoshi Kato
mentarians
Federation for Population (JPFP), Kano
previously handed over a donation of 150
reconditioned bicycles to the Planned
Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG)
during a JPFP study tour of African
countries in 1991.
The bicycle donation scheme was

launched in 1988 through the
collaboration of JOICFP and Toshima
City. Originally aimed at supporting
healthcare and community development
promotion in communities where
JOICFP’s Integrated Project (IP) is being
implemented, the scheme has been
broadened in recent years to provide
support to such agencies as UNFPA and
IPPF.
Since its initiation, the scheme has
continued to act as a catalyst to boost
promotion of the IP at the community
level. By providing community-based
distributors (CBDs) and healthcare
personnel with a convenient and non­
fuel means of
transport and
communica­
tion,
the
bicycles have
expanded
promotion of
integrated
family plan­
ning (FP),
maternal and
child health,
primary
Michihiko Kano
health care
and environmental sanitation within
communities which are often located far
from health posts or FP clinics. The
provision of bicycles has also served as
an incentive for service providers since
the ownership of a bicycle is considered
a symbol of status in many rural
communities in developing countries.
Since the establishment of
MCCOBA in 1989, the bicycle donation
scheme has continued to expand at a
rapid pace, attracting a growing number
of member cities and handling increas­
ing shipments of bicycles abroad. As of
March this year, a total of 7,025 fully
reconditioned bicycles have been sent to
19 developing countries in Asia, Africa
and Latin America.
At present, the 14 local governments
belonging to MCCOBA represent a
1

Opinion

Enfranchising Women

resident population of 5.2million. Unique
as the first inter-city organization work­
ing in the field of international
cooperation in collaboration with a non­
governmental organization (NGO), Population Action International chair puts women’s rights first
MCCOBA has been able to utilize its
Robin Chandler Duke, national chair, not permit, by all means do not have an
close links with JOICFP to create
awareness of the needs of community Population Action International, spoke abortion. But let us make it legal and
people in developing countries to gain with JOICFP NEWS on April 16 about safe, put it to one side and let us provide
support for the use of public funds to family planning (FP), women’s rights and contraception, FP counseling and sex
assist the donation activities. At the abortion. Below is an outline of her education, so that in fact we will not have
same time, the local governments have interview.
so many abortions.
Population Action International has
been able to answer growing demands
However, the same people who are
among their citizens for involvement in focused a great
against
international cooperation activities.
deal on what we
abortion are
think are the
against
Feedback on Bicycles
rights of women.
contraception.
Women have got
We are talking
about a very
Bicycles that are sent to IP areas to be enfran­
bizarre,
under the scheme are coordinated and chised. They
carefully monitored by JOICFP to ensure have got to be
extreme
that they reach their destination and are able to control
element, but it
utilized for the intended purpose. In their lives and
does not take
addition, JOICFP provides feedback on contraception is
much to start a
revolution. It
the use of the bicycles and introduces directly linked to
aspects of life at the community level in that.
just takes a few
We are very
the recipient countries. Through such
zealots and we
communication, citizens of the concerned that
are dealing with
MCCOBA member cities have gained demands for FP
zealots. We are
dealing with
confidence in supporting such activities. be met — and the
people who are
With the new awareness of needs of demands are out
developing countries, local governments there by women
fanatic and they
have also been encouraged to broaden who want to have
are fanatic in a
the scope of their donation activities to control over the
way that in my
country, which
include such items as sewing machines, size of their fammedical equipment and stationery items. ilies. We have
is just shocking,
Robin Chandler Duke
they don’t just
This year, Toshima city plans to donate also felt over
20,000 notebooks to IP areas to be used time that the explosion of population demonstrate, but they bum down abortion
for literacy classes and record keeping. has set up certain areas of the world for clinics and have even shot a doctor and
The space between bicycles within the political unrest, hunger and a lack of jobs, killed him. They have done themselves
irreparable harm.
shipping containers will be utilized to education and housing.
I think we will see a change in attitude
pack the notebooks as with previous
Safe & Legal Abortion
in America with the new political climate
donations of paper and pencils.
and with no protection from the White
As for abortion, it should be legal and House. We have already seen the Mexico
Financial Support
safe. It is so unfortunate that it has become City Policy overturned, and although all
This year saw a dramatic increase in politicized and that this has made an awful these things have to go through the pro­
financial support to cover the shipment inroad into the normal services of FP and cess of Congress, we have seen a will to
of bicycles overseas. For the 1993 fiscal set up very grave problems for funding in give a common sense approach to these
year (April 1, 1993 - March 31, 1994), the U.S. But I think we are past that now issues and that is really what is important.
the Japan Bicycle Promotion Institute with the Clinton administration. President This will certainly have an impact on our
has pledged ¥20 million (US$ 182,000 at and Mrs. Clinton take a very intelligent policy in our foreign assistance because
an exchange rate of¥110toUS$l) for the view about it and that is that abortion we will no longer put gag rules on clinics
shipping costs. This is in addition to the should be an individual decision between or doctors.
Margaret Sanger was around New
¥14 million (US$127,000) pledged by a woman and her doctor, that it should not
the MCCOB A member cities themselves be in the political arena and that it is not York when I was a young woman and
something that anybody is delighted or I’m aware that in my country she was put
towards the costs.
As the pace of the donation activities happy about — nobody is “pro-abortion.” in jail several times for discussing
We have seen from recorded history contraception with girls. So I feel I have
gathers steam, MCCOBA has outlined
some ambitious plans to gear up that women have been trying to terminate a pretty good perspective on how all this
assistance in the future. The dispatch of pregnancies they did not wish. I think we has evolved and I think we have come
experts and exchange of technical know­ ought to be courageous enough to just quite a long way. I don’t think it is far
how are among the activities included in stand up to the issue and say: if your enough but I feel very good about the
[J]
MCCOBA’s future aims.
[J] religion or your personal persuasion does new atmosphere in Washington.
2

JOICFP NEWS, June 1993

Events

Taking Action for Children
UNICEF official outlines strategies for improving the situation of children
Karin Sham Poo, deputy executive
director, Operations, UNICEF, spoke
withJOICFP NEWS on March 25 about
UNICEF activities. Below is an outline
of her comments.
When UNICEF was established after
WWII, it was mainly concerned with
improving the situation of children in
Europe and Asia. But very early on we
realized that to improve the situation of
children, we also had to look at the
situation of women—not only mothers.
When we look at the problems of
small children, we place much emphasis
on the girl child, the adolescent girl and
the woman, because the situations of all
of these are closely linked together.
Over the years, we have tried to
quantify the costs of improving the
situation of children in developing
countries. We believe that it would take
US$25 billion a year to cover the costs
of healthcare, nutrition, water and

sanitation, family planning and basic | much a matter of awareness-raising
education in these countries. To meet these I starting from the grassroots level right up
to the political level. There
costs we have developed a
has to be the political will
plan called “20/20 Vision.”
to improve the situation,
Under the plan, two-thirds
and at the same time, the
of the costs will come from
the developing countries
people at the grassroots
have to be aware and have
themselves. This can be
to really demand change.
achieved if they restructure
In all our programs we
their domestic budgets so
cooperate with govern­
that at least 20% of the
ments, but we also work
budget is allocated for
closely with a lot of
human development and
Karin Sham Poo
non-governmental
for needs such as basic
organizations (NGOs) —
healthcare and basic
education. The other “20” in the 20/20 both international and national. We
calls for industrialized countries to look at believe that NGOs are very important
their own development aid budgets and to because they have a “civil society”
use at least 20% of them for human approach and in many countries are more
aware of the situation at the grassroots
development.
In most countries today, improving the level. Also, UNICEF has a limited bud­
situation of children is not merely a question get and we have to use our resources in
[J]
of providing food and medicine. It is very the most effective way.

Mainichi - Population Pioneer in Japan

Shidzue Kato

Takeo Fukuda

Katsuhide Kitatani

The selection of the Population
Problems Research Council of the
Mainichi Shimbun as the recipient ofthe
1993 UN Population Award in the group
category was celebrated at a reception
held in Tokyo on April 20. Attended by
250 people including representatives of
the mass media, academia, government
and international organizations, the
event highlighted the over 40 years of
efforts made by the council to create
awareness offamily planning (FP) and
population issues in Japan and abroad.
In a congratulatory speech to guests,
Takeo Fukuda, president of JOICFP and
former prime minister of Japan, com­
mended the council for its pioneering

efforts to create awareness of population
issues through such means as publications,
surveys and forums in Japan. “There is
today a shared awareness of the seriousness
of these issues which go beyond national
borders. But when the Population Problems
Research Council was established in 1949,
there was no such awareness.”
Praising the council for its foresight in
understanding the importance of population
issues both domestically and internation­
ally, Fukuda pointed out that the council
was also pioneered as the first such research
institution to be linked to the mass media.
Shidzue Kato, president, Family
Planning Federation of Japan, and recipi­
ent of the 1988 UN Population Award, also

praised the intiative shown by the
Mainichi Shimbun in setting up the
council at a time when population issues
were not considered seriously by the
government. “In the early days of the FP
movement in Japan, it was dangerous to
speak about FP,” she said. “Even the UN
was not active in the population field
when the Mainichi Shimbun established
the council.”
Katsuhide Kitatani, consultant,
UNFPA, also spoke at the reception and
conveyed congratulations from Dr. Nafis
Sadik, executive director, UNFPA.
The award will be presented to the
council by UN Secretary-general Boutros
Boutros-Ghali in September.
[5]

JOICFP NEWS, June 1993

3

UNFPA

Focus on Central Asia

Tehran on September 11,1993 and close
on September 15. On the first day, a
ministerial rank person will open the
conference and Dr. Nafis Sadik, executive
Conference in Iran to stimulate action on Central Asian Republics
director, UNFPA, will deliver a keynote
address. After the opening speeches,
Saad Raheem Sheikh, director, Asia if the Asian countries experienced in FP there will be a presentation of the Iran
and the Pacific Division, UNFPA, spoke programs were also to participate. These program and on the second and third
days, there will be
with JOICFP NEWS on April 19 about countries are: China,
a mix of plenary
the Regional Conference on Family India, Pakistan,
and group sessions
Planning to be held in Tehran, Iran, in Bangladesh,
September.
Indonesia, Sri Lanka,
where a number of
important papers
The concept of TCDC or South-to- Malaysia and Thai­
will be read by
South cooperation is very important for land as well as Iran
participating
UNFPA as we already have countries and Turkey. The
like China, Indonesia, Republic of Korea CARK countries
organizations.
The last two
and Thailand sharing their family consist of Kazakh­
days will be set
planning (FP) experiences with other stan, Kyrgyzstan,
aside for direct
developing countries of Asia and Africa. Uzbekistan,
South Asian countries are also beginning Tajikistan,
bilateral talks be­
tween the CARK
to do this and we want to extend this to Turkmenistan, and
and the experi­
the Central Asian Republics and Azerbaijan.
Kazakhstan (CARK) as well.
It was decided
enced countries.
We would like to
that participation of
use these days to
Contraceptive Mix
these countries would
Saad Raheem Sheikh
enable the coun­
be based on two or
UNFPA was approached by the three persons: a policy level person who is tries themselves to negotiate with the
government of Iran to assist them in in charge of FP; a technical person who experienced countries as to what they
hosting a regional conference on FP to actually heads the FP program and knows could do in terms of training of personnel
which the government wanted to invite fully about the contraceptives and the and, in some cases, provision of
the newly independent members of the support activities such as management and contraceptive services, or other assistance
CARK countries. It was felt that in these IEC; and the head of a prominent or that may be needed.
republics women had been previously national non-governmental organization
Direct Contacts
exposed only to abortion and they did not (NGO) involved in FP.
know much about FP or the contraceptive
We have also asked other specialist
The reason we are doing this is that
mix available. We also felt that it was a UN agencies and some NGOs to take part:
very important conference because many UNICEF, WHO, UNDP, IPPF and Family we do not want the UN agencies or
requests were being received by UNFPA Health International. These organizations UNFPA to be part of a triangle through
to assist the CARK countries in setting will participate fully and also provide which all requests have to be channeled.
up their FP programs and to mobilize resource persons to deliver papers or to We would encourage the countries to
resources to provide women with a participate in the workshop group sessions talk to each other and exchange address­
contraceptive mix for FP.
and display/distribute appropriate IEC es of their ministries/departments/
institutions and the names of personnel
UNFPA proposed that in addition to materials.
The regional conference will open in to write to so that in future they have
the CARK countries, it would be helpful
direct contact.
The most important reason for this is
that we in UNFPA are trying to mobilize
resources by which we can have an
effective program in the CARK countries.
During his stay in Japan, Raheem Sheikh gave a lecture to 90 members of the Kanagawa
Resources these days are difficult to come
Consumers’ Cooperative at the co-op’s main office on April 21. Providing an overview of
by, so we want to utilize this conference
the population situation in Asia and the Pacific and a brief outline of UNFPA activities,
to arrange these bilateral contacts and
Sheikh emphasized that much remains to be done in the area of population and development.
secure services at a much lesser cost. In
Focusing on issues related to women, Sheikh drew attention to gender gaps in status,
some ways this can be regarded as Southeducation, training and pay found even among the industrialized countries of the region. “We
to-South cooperation because the
have seen, time and again, that the cost of ignoring women in development is to retard
participants will be cooperating with each
development itself,” he said. “If development is to succeed, making investments in women
other without the involvement of major
will have to become a development priority.”
donors or even UN agencies.
Organized by the co-op’s International Exchange Group, the lecture provoked a positive
response from the audience members who were impressed with the activities of UNFPA.
This does not mean that our role is
One of the largest consumers’ cooperatives in Japan, the Kanagawa Co-op currently has a
passive — we keep working very hard to
membership of almost 1 million and recorded total sales of ¥145 billion (US$1.318 billion)
mobilize additional resources for the
in 1922. Following the lecture, several co-op members expressed a desire to have the
CARK countries and based on these
cooperative actively support the activities of UNFPA. The co-op already provides significant
efforts we will have a dynamic program
support to the activities of UNICEF among other agencies.
of our own.
g]

Words on Women

4

JOICFP NEWS, June 1993

Africa

Population a Priority for Kenya
Concept of smaller families well accepted by people and supported by government

S. E. A. Bullut

K. Chepsiror

F. L. Abuje

F. L. Abuje, permanent secretary,
Ministry of Home Affairs and National
Heritage, Kenya, spoke with JOICFP
NEWS about family planning (FP) in
Kenya on April 9. He was accompanied
by S. E. A. Bullut, director, National
Councilfor Population and Development
(NCPD), and K. Chepsiror, assistant
director, NCPD.
The NCPD was formed in 1982 as
the coordinating board for population
and comes under Ministry of Home
Affairs. In 1984, the National Leaders’
Conference on Population was held. This
set guidelines for NCPD on population
issues.

work of the agricultural extension workers.
We also collaborate with the Office of the
President which runs the administrative
structure of the country. At the grassroots
level, we work with local chiefs so that
when they hold meetings with the people,
they also cover FP issues. Finally, we
work with cooperatives and the Ministry
of Education. Family life education (FLE)
is incorporated into the school syllabus.
We cooperate with 15 non-govern­
mental organizations (NGOs) including
Christian and Muslim organizations,
women’s organizations, and the National
Union of Teachers. Through the scout
movement, for example, seminars are
organized for youths where lectures are
provided on FLE. Currently, the NCPD
has activities taking place in 14 out of 46
districts in the country. These 14 districts

were given priority because they are the
densely populated. However, we have
NGOs carrying out activities in the more
sparsely populated districts where there
are no NCPD offices.
Prior to coming to Japan we were in
Indonesia where we were introduced to
the activities of BKKBN (National FP
Coordinating Board). We learned quite
a lot from BKKBN, particularly with
regard to operations at the village level.
We were also very impressed with the
health station system called Posyandu.
Overall, the most important aspects
of the Indonesian FP program that we
learned were the way that information is
transmitted to the people and the way
that the people have taken FP very
seriously. The key to the success of the
FP program is the volunteer system, [j]

Smaller Families
One of the reasons why there has
been some progress with our FP program
is that the population policy is widely
accepted in the sense that there is
goodwill from the political leadership
down to the grassroots. People under­
stand and appreciate the need for smaller
families and that is the main basis for
our success.
The NCPD does not implement
activities but works with a number of
implementing ministries. The Ministry
of Health handles the technical part of
implementation. It issues contraceptives
through clinics and provides provisional
services. The Ministry of Information
assists in IEC and the Ministry of Labor
works with the NCPD to reach workers
in industry. We also work together with
the Ministry of Social Services,
especially two departments — the
Women’s Bureau and Adult Education
— to reach women’s groups and to
include FP into adult education.
Through the Ministry of Agriculture,
we incorporate FP programs into the
JOICFP NEWS, June 1993

JOCFPMATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERIES
DOCUMENTARY NEW FILM

ANIMATION FILM

SONG OF TOMORROW
AT KILIMANJARO
32min/color, English

RINAS DREAM
20nnin/color. English
FOR HAPPY FAMILY

FOR YOUR BELOVED BABY
25min/color

English, Thai, Japanese

COMING INTO THIS WORLD
25min/color

English, Thai, Japanese

GOLDEN YEARS OF HAPPINESS
23min/color

English, Thai. Japanese

GOOD KASEM AND CLEVER MANEE
15min/color

English, Thai, Spanish

16mm• VTR (/Jeta, V11S N TS(I*A L, SE(’A M)

The maternal & child health movement began in
Masama on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania,
involving the whole village joined by midwives,
girl volunteers and the religious group.

Distributed by

Sakura Motion Picture Co., Ltd.
YOYOGI CENTER BLDG., 57-1, YOYOGI 1-CHOME,
SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO 151, JAPAN
TEL.81 -3-3320-6311 /FAX.81 -3-3320-7666
TELEX.J34799 ITCINBTH

5

In the News

Experiences to Share

since the initiation of IP activities in
China. An event to celebrate this
milestone will be held in Beijing, China,
on June 12. To show his appreciation for
the efforts of the people involved in the
Kunii foresees China as a center for South-to-South cooperation
IP in China, Kunii will be attending the
The significant expansion ofcoverage expanded this year by 10 provinces to celebration.
of the Integrated Project (IP) in China cover 18 project areas in a total of 16 of the
Commenting on the progress made in
was highlighted by JOICFP Chairman 30 provinces of mainland
IP areas in China,
Chojiro Kunii in a lecture given at a China, Kunii said that the
Kunii emphasized
meeting of the Population Problems IP in China could serve
that
JOICFP’s
contribution to the
Research Council of the Mainichi as a model for other
Shimbun on May 11. The community­ countries to follow.
project has been
based project, launched in China in
Through the im­
limited. “JOICFP’s
1984, has won overwhelming approval plementation of the
input has been small
by both the people at the grassroots and project, China has
in scale,” he said.
the authorities by meeting the demands compiled extremely
“The real achieve­
of the community for better health and practical experiences,
ments have been made
an improved way of life, he said.
strategies and know-how
as a result of the
for the promotion of
endeavors of the
UN Population Award
family planning (FP)
people in China to
Chojiro Kunii
integrated with other
expand, innovate and
The meeting attended by Kunii was healthcare and community development tailor the IP to meet the needs at the
one of the regular events held by the components, he said. These experiences grassroots.”
Population Problems Research Council can be readily shared with other developing
Kunii said he is most impressed with
to draw attention to population issues. countries on a South-to-South cooperation the genuine commitment shown in China
The council, an institution geared to basis, Kunii said.
to improve the situation at the commu­
creating awareness of population within
To enhance the exchange of Chinese nity level and with the enthusiasm shown
Japan, was honored this year with the UN IP experiences, he said that he envisages by the people to improve their lives. He
Population Award for its more than 40 the establishment of a center for South-to- said he hoped that JOICFP could continue
years of efforts in the population field.
South cooperation in China in the future. to work as a catalyst to further stimulate
Noting that the project coverage was
This year marks the 10th anniversary progress in the IP areas in China.
g]

o

A Better
Image for
Condoms
Japan’s major condom maker
recently took a unique approach to AIDS
prevention by launching a campaign
aimed at overcoming the embarrassment
surrounding the purchase and use of
condoms and enhancing the image of
condoms as afashionable item. To reach
young adult target audiences and pro­
mote its campaign, Okamoto Industries,
Inc., used a popular movie and television
actress, Rikaco Murakami. Primarily
aimed at raising the image of condoms
as a means to prevent AIDS, the cam­
paign alsopromotes Okamoto ’ s “Skinless
Skin” brand of condoms.
The campaign was launched by
Okamoto on May 7 in response to what
the company sees as a negative image for
condoms. According to an Okamoto
spokesman, condoms tend to conjure up
the image of sex in people’s minds which
6

i

g

o
o
o

$

® T 5 ? i' #
O

t

I

•' li X

f
Teen idol Rikaco endorses condoms.

is often a taboo subject in homes and in
public in Japan. One of its aims in creating
a campaign to enhance the image of
condoms was to make it clear that the
promotion of the use of condoms was not
the same as the promotion of sex.
Ideally, Okamoto would like to
encourage discussion of sex and AIDS
within the home, the company spokesman
said. At present, sex education is left up to
schools which is not always satisfactory,
he said.
The company decided on the slogan,

“It’s more trendy to be carrying condoms.
When using condoms, start with
Okamoto’s Skinless Skin” to appeal to
the target age group of 19- to 23-yearolds. Rikaco, extremely popular on screen
and stage as an entertainer and actress, is
the first “image character” to be used by
a condom manufacturer to promote
condoms.

Railway Station Ads
Bold black-and-white photos of the
actress wearing denim and looking
directly into the camera were used
extensively in the campaign to capture
the attention of young people. Large
feature posters were placed at 23
railway stations in Tokyo, 30 stations in
Nagoya and 10 subway stations in Osaka
during the first half of May. Ads were
placed in trains in the middle of the
campaign to heighten the impact.
The print media was also used for the
campaign with ads placed in four popular
magazines for male audiences and three
magazines for female audiences.
Meanwhile, small posters and stickers
were also distributed to 6,000 pharma­
cies throughout Japan.
g]
JO1CFP NEWS, June 1993

China

Chinas “Path ofHope
The promotion of family planning
(FP) integrated with other healthcare
and community development activities
in Jilin Province of China has brought
remarkable changes to the way oflife at
the grassroots, according to an article
published on January 8 in “China
Population,” a major newspaper with a
circulation of more than 400,000.
Written by Gu Changchun, deputy
secretary, Provincial Committee,
Communist Party of China, the article
notes the success in FP promotion that
has occurred in the province since FP
activities were promoted under a new
integrated approach to appeal to the
interests of the community people for
improved health and better lifestyles.
Highlighting the concept of
“humanistic FP” described by JOICFP
Chairman Chojiro Kunii in his book
“Humanistic FP Approaches,” the article
calls attention to the importance of inte­
grating health and welfare activities with
FP to gain community support and parti­
cipation in FP activities. The writer de­
votes a large part of his article outlining

the benefits of the integrated FP approach
as promoted by Kunii. In particular, he
states that Kunii concluded after many
years of research that FP, especially in a
rural context, has to be connected with
something that brings happiness to the
people for it to be fully accepted.
The new FP approach in Jilin Province,
dubbed “Tripartite Integration,” integrates
components to improve the quality of life,
production (economic situation) and
population (fertility). Less fertility controloriented than the previous FP promotion
system, the new approach emphasizes the
importance of improving the standard of
living at the grassroots to stimulate
voluntary acceptance of FP.
According to the article, the change in
approach was made following a Central
Committee Meeting of the Communist
Party in March 1990 which reviewed
coercive tactics that had been employed
by some local governments to attain
demographic goals. Urged to adopt an
approach more in tune with the needs of
the people, the authorities of Jilin Province
launched the first Tripartite Integration

Revolution at the Village Level
In September last year, Bernard prevalence rate had increased from 61.22% to
Aluvihare, consultant, Presidential Com­ 85.51 %, while the infant mortality rate declined
mission on Finance and Banking, Sri from 60.46 to 46.32 per 1,000 live births.
Lanka, and former assistant secretary­
What is behind the statistics is that social
general, IPPF, visited Jiangchuan Coun­ attitudes appear to have changed in a short
ty, Yunnan Province, China, where the space of time. Child health, standards of
Integrated Project (IP) is being imple­ personal hygiene and a preference for smaller
mented. As a representative of IPPF, families have become increasingly important
concerns of the people. It is
Aluvihare became familiar
with family planning (FP)
not easy to change longestablished beliefs and
programs in China as early
ways of living that influ­
as the 1970s. He became
ence family size, the health
involved with the IP in
of children and mothers
China through IPPF which
and sanitation and personal
has continued supporting
hygiene. In the case of
the project since its initi­
Jiangchuan County, it
ation in 1984. Aluvihare
would appear that the IP
conveyed his impressions
has accelerated the process
ofthe project in a letter sent
of attitudinal change.
to JOICFP Chairman
The key tochanging long­
Bernard Aluvihare
Chojiro Kunii on March
standing beliefs lies in
22. Below is an outline of
finding a readily acceptable “trigger” or “entry
his comments.
The IP in Jiangchuan County, which was point” that arouses the awareness of people to
started in 1990, appears to have made such an extent that they begin to re-examine
remarkable progress in just three years. beliefs that they have held for a long time. In
The population growth rate in the county the IP, parasite control (PC) is such a trigger.
had declined from 1.69% to 0.64% by June With the confidence of the people established
1992, a time horizon of only 30 months. through the visible benefits of PC, FP was
During the same period, the contraceptive presented with greater acceptability, particularly
JOICFP NEWS, June 1993

Market vendors in Jilin Province.

activities in Shuangliao County, Siping
District, which has a population of
372,264. Asa result, FP promoters gain­
ed the trust of the people, per-capita
income increased, women’s status was
raised and FP acceptance increased.The
key to the success of the new approach
lies in the integration of FP promotion
with household management education,
according to the writer.
The article noted that Peng Peiyun,
Minister, State Family Planning Com­
mission, praised the integrated approach
in Jilin Province. In comments made in
July 1992, the minister called the
approach the “path of hope.”
[J]

as good rapport had already been established
between the community and the field
workers. The delivery of FP services was
thus made easier. Maternal and child health
(MCH) components of the project fit in well
with the total integrated approach and indeed,
form the link between PC and FP.
In my discussions with project personnel
and with some of the residents of Zhang Wu
Ying village in Qian Wei Township, I could
see that the people were filled with a desire
to improve the overall quality of life. They
were concerned with increasing material
benefits, but also with changing social
attitudes that promote better family living
and better community life. This is a
revolution in terms of village life.
Overall, there are two important features
of the IP that struck me. First, the IP relies
a great deal on “social mobilization.” People
participate actively in taking decisions that
influence their lives. All members of the
community participate directly or through
community organizations such as family
planning associations, mothers’ clubs, or
youth organizations. Secondly, The external
personnel are facilitators or those who
provide technical inputs. They do not usurp
the decision-making role of the community.
The people are thus not “objects” of
assistance who merely receive what is given
as in a top-down approach. They are indeed
the persons who make the decisions that
affect the community.
7

Voice of Voices

ANNOUNCEMENT

By Chojiro Kunii

MCCOBA on the Move
The Toshima City Office in Tokyo began
cooperating with JOICFP in 1988 to donate
reconditioned bicycles to support the activities
of the Integrated Project (IP) in developing
countries. Primarily aimed at providing
personnel promoting preventive health and
family planning (FP) with a means of trans­
port, the scheme has been in operation for six
years and is still gathering steam. To date,
over 7,000 bicycles have been sent abroad
to 19 countries in Africa, Latin America and
Asia. Welcomed as a convenient transport
means by midwives, public health nurses
and other healthcare personnel, the bicycles
have provided vital assistance in times of
medical emergencies such as in the case of
deliveries and injuries.
Over the years, J OICFP has received a great
deal of letters of appreciation from local
governments and villagers from communi­
ties where the bicycles are being used. In
addition, the ambassadors in Japan of those
countries receiving donations have been
visiting MCCOBA (the Municipal
Coordinating Committee for Overseas Bicycle
Assistance) and other municipal govern­
ments cooperating in this scheme to express
their words of thanks.

Project Takes Off
The bicycle donation project began with
Toshima City, but quickly spread to take in
Setagaya, Ota, Bunkyo, Omiya and
Kawaguchi cities. Eight more municipal
governments — Nerima, Arakawa, Itabashi,
Tama, Musashino, Tokorozawa, Ageo and
Shizuoka cities — expanded this group to 15
members (including JOICFP) as of this April.
The bicycle donation project involves a
number of stages. First, usable bicycles are
selected from among unclaimed bicycles
collected by the cities. They are then sent to
centers to be reconditioned to almost new
condition and stored for shipment. In
Toshima City, for example, the recondition­
ing is carried out by retired mechanics work­
ing as volunteers before the bicycles are
shipped from Yokohama port.
The cost of shipment has represented the
biggest hurdle to the project, but we have
received a lot of assistance in this field this
year thanks to the goodwill of many people.
With the consent of municipal councils, part
of the cost for spare parts and shipping charges
has been borne by public funds. Financial
support for shipment has also come from
sources such as the Japan Bicycle Promotion
Institute, Sasakawa Peace Foundation and
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The First General Meeting of MCCOBA
was held on April 27. Attended by
representatives of all MCCOBA member
cities, the meeting highlighted the support
that has been received and the progress that
has been made in just a few years.
[3]

8

13th American Conference on the Integrated Project (CAPRI XIII)
MEXFAM (Mexican Foundation for Family Planning) and JOICFP are organizing a
regional workshop for Latin America and the Caribbean region.
Self-reliance and institutional strengthening
Theme:
August 30 - September 1,1993
Date:
San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico
Venue:
UNFPA, IPPF
Sponsors:
Participants: Representatives from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic,
Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, UNFPA, IPPF,
UNICEF and PAHO

Note: Self-funded observers are welcome to attend the workshop. For further
details, please contact MEXFAM/JOICFP.

DIARY
JOICFP program officers Aiko lijima and Sumie
Ishii were in Nepal from Mar. 23 - April 5 to
finalize the proposal for the “Sustainable
Community-based FP/MCH Project with
Special Focus on Women” implemented by the
Family Planning Association of Nepal. Ishii
also exchanged information with officials of
UNFPA and the Thai Ministry of Public Health
while in Thailand from April 5 - 6.
*
*
*
Katsuhide Kitatani, consultant, UNFPA,
visited JOICFP on April 5 to exchange
information.
*
*
*
Anwarul Karim Chowdhury, then the
director, UNICEF Offices for Japan, Australia
and New Zealand visited JOICFP on April 6 to
exchange information.

Where Have All the
Children Gone?
The percentage of children 14 years
and under in the Japanese population
has fallen to an all-time low of just below
17%, according to figures recently
released by the Management and
Coordination Agency.
The report stated that children aged
14 and under numbered 21.1 million as
of April 1, down 530,000 from 1992.
In terms of percentage, children aged
14 years and under make up 16.9% of
the population to mark a decrease of
0.5% over 1992, the report showed.
This year represents the second
consecutive year that the postwar ratio
of children in the population has hit a
record low, according to the report.
Of the children, 10.82 million are boys
and 10.28 million are girls to set a ratio
of 105 boys for every 100 girls, the
survey showed.
The ratio of children in Japan’s
population is almost as low as that of
Germany, which has a ratio of 16%, and
Italy at 16.3%.

Five participants from five countries taking
part in JICA’s Specialized Nursing Course
attended a one-day seminar on FP at JOICFP
on April 21.
*
*
*
F. L. Abuje, permanent secretary, Ministry
of Home Affairs and National Heritage,
Kenya, visited JOICFP on April 9 to exchange
information. He was accompanied by S. E.
A. Bullut, director, and K. Chepsiror,
assistant director, National Council for
Population and Development, Kenya.
*
*
*
Wang Guoqiang, deputy director,
Department of General Affairs, State Family
Planning Commission of China, Van Jiande,
general manager, China Population
Information Service, and four other
members of a Chinese mission visited
JOICFPon April 13 to exchange information.
*
*
*
Robin Chandler Duke, national chair.
Population Action International, visited
JOICFPon April 16 toexchange information.
*
*
*
Dr. Elise K. Tipton, lecturer in Japanese
studies, School of Asian Studies, University
of Sydney, Australia, visited JOICFP on
April 20 to gather information.
*
*
*
Don Hinrichsen, UN consultant, population,
environment and development, visited
JOICFPon April 21 toexchange information.
*
*
*
Saad Raheem Sheikh, director, Asia and
the Pacific Division, UNFPA, visited JOICFP
to exchange information and gave a lecture
to Co-op Kanagawa while in Japan from
April 17-22.
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 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, June 1993

Position: 2634 (5 views)