asian Publication of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development

Managing Population Growth is a Key Component to Stability

F orum N
March - April 2008

ewsletter

and Sustainability
24th APDA-AFPPD Asian Parliamentarians’ Meeting on Climate Change and Health at Kuala Lumpur

Left to right: Mr. Lakshman Singh, MP (India) and Vice-Chair of AFPPD; Mr. Garimella Giridhar, Representative of UNFPA-CST, Bangkok; Mr. Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadziah, Deputy
Minister of Finance and Chair of AFPPD-Malaysia; Mr. Liow Tiong Lai, Minister of Health in Malaysia; Ms. Kayoko Shimizu, acting Chair of APDA; and Ms. Wakako Hironaka, acting Chair
of JPFP

The world population has increased from 2.5 billion in 1950 to 6.8 in 2007. Evidence highlights that human activity and
conduct is producing significant global climate change, with serious implications on public health. To educate and inform
on population growth, climate change and their impacts, the Asian Population and Development Association (APDA) and
AFPPD-Malaysia organized the 24th Asian Parliamentarians’ Meeting on Population and Development on April 26-27 in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia. The meeting was attended by 70 parliamentarians and policymakers from Asia-Pacific.

are essential if we are to overcome these

G8 Summit will focus on climate
change and its implications
In her opening remarks, Ms. Kayoko
Shimizu, acting Chair of APDA, said
that the, “G8 Summit addresses global
challenges, including the world economy
and African issues; but this time, it will
focus on environmental challenges
by highlighting climate change and
its implications. We should have an
Asian consensus in this meeting to
serve as the basis of discussion at
the G8 International Parliamentarians’
Conference on Population and
Sustainable Development, to be held
in Tokyo by July”.
International efforts and collaboration
are essential to overcome future
challenges
A message from Prime Minister Yasuo
Fukuda of Japan, Chair of AFPPD,
APDA, and the Japan Parliamentarians’
Federation for Population (JPFP), was
delivered by Ms. Chieko Nohno, MP
(Japan). He stated, “Mankind faces
pressing challenges in the future: global
warming, climate change, extreme
poverty and the threat of new and re-
emerging pandemic. As globalization
proceeds and the world population
continues to grow, international efforts
tasks and to create a society where
every person can live in dignity”.
Ms. Chieko Nohno, MP (Japan)
Discuss factors to ensure balanced
population growth
Mr. Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadziah,
Deputy Minister of Finance and
Chair of AFPPD-Malaysia, urged
parliamentarians to discuss all factors
and concerns to ensure balanced
population growth that benefits every
person. “There is shortage in food
supply due to the conversion of land
from agricultural to industrial. It is on
your shoulders to find out prudent
and practical ways to tackle the world
issues on climate change, diseases and
population”, he added.
Mitigation measures in Malaysia
Mr. Liow Tiong Lai, Minister of Health in
Malaysia, narrated that his government
has taken mitigation and adaptive
measures through various ministries,
agencies and NGOs. “These efforts
enable Malaysia to mobilize adequate
food supplies, to provide shelters, and
to reduce morbidity and mortality due
to natural disasters and accompanying
diseases. In Malaysia, our strength in
mitigating the effects of climate change
lies in our healthcare infrastructures and
delivery network. With the commitment
by the government, we will continue on
the implementation of various mitigation
measures”, he informed.
Integrate demographic factors into
environmental impact assessments
Mr. Garimella Giridhar, Representative
o f U N F PA - C S T, B a n g k o k u r g e d
governments to integrate demographic
factors into environmental impact
assessments, to promote sustainable
resource management, to modify
unsustainable consumption and
production patterns, and to pay particular
attention to ecologically vulnerable
areas where population, economic
activity and environmental issues are
concentrated.

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Interrelationship of global warming
and infectious diseases
Global warming and fluctuations in
weather help to spread diseases.
The temperature affects the growth
and survival of microbes and vectors.
Weather affects the timing and intensity
of disease outbreaks. “Climate is the
primary factor in the epidemic of malaria,
cholera, dengue, meningococcal
meningitis, Japanese encephalitis,
leptospirosis and rickettsial infections”,
Left to right: Ms. Puangpen Chanprasert, Senior Public Health Technical Officer from Thailand, Dr.Osamu Kusumoto, highlighted by Mr. Hasan Abdul Rahman,
Secretary General/Executive Director of APDA, and Mr. James Dawos Mamit, MP (Malaysia) Director of the Disease Control Division
Increase in average global temperature of the Ministry of Public Health in
Diseases associated with climate impacts the climate, resulting in altered Malaysia.
change precipitation patterns, melting
I n a m e s s a g e f r o m D r. P r a t glaciers, intensifying storms
Boonyawongvirot, Permanent Secretary and rising sea level.
of the Ministry of Public Health in
Adaptation measures in
Thailand and Secretary-General of
South Korea
AFPPD – delivered by Ms. Puangpen
Chanprasert, Senior Public Health “South Korea is drawing
Technical Officer in Thailand – he up detailed plans to build a
highlighted that approximately 600,000 low-carbon society; such as
deaths occurred worldwide as a result expanding the use of new
of weather-related natural disasters in and renewable energy, and
the 1990s. “Recent studies suggest enhancing energy efficiency.
that the record high temperatures Many environmental experts
of 2003 in Europe were associated and activists are taking part
with an estimated 70,000 deaths. in urging the South Korean
Ms. Darlene Custodio (left), MP (Philippines) and Treasurer of AFPPD; and
Each year, diarrheal diseases, malaria government to take further Mr. Hasan Abdul Rahman (right), Director of the Diseases Control Division of
and malnutrition kill 3 million people reduction and adaptation the Ministry of Health in Malaysia
globally. Dengue fever is on the rise actions”, said Ms. Han
Unemployment fuels political
– it is estimated that up to 80 million Myeong Sook, MP, former Prime
instability
individuals become infected annually”, Minister, Environment Minister and
he stated. Chair of the Committee on Population Mr. Jose Rimon, Senior Program
and Development in South Korea. Officer of the Bill and Melinda Gates
Population, climate change and
Foundation, presented the impacts of
infectious diseases Climate change impacts in Japan
population growth on the sustainability
Mr. James Dawos Mamit, MP (Malaysia), Mr. Shuzo Nishioka, Senior Research and stability of societies. It is estimated
presented an interesting overview on the Fellow of the National Institute for that nearly 1.5 billion men and women
interrelationship between population, Environmental Studies in Japan, will be 20-24 years old by 2015; and if
climate change and infectious diseases. discussed the possible impacts of these individuals are not able to find
He said that climate change is the climate change in Japan. “Extreme daily jobs, the situation will fuel political
greatest threat being faced by the planet precipitation, including that associated
today, with rising temperatures causing with typhoons, will further enhance
more droughts and floods. The main over Japan due to the increase in
human influence on global climate is likely atmospheric moisture. Rice yield in
to be emissions of greenhouse gases, irrigated lowland areas is projected to
such as carbon dioxide and methane. decrease up to 40 percent”. In Japan,
coastal lowlands
are located below
high water level,
mainly in large
cities; a 1 meter
rise in sea level
could put up to
4.1 million people Mr. Jose Rimon, Senior Program Officer of the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation
at risk. It is also
p r o j e c t e d t h a t instability. “Most urban growth is
about 90 percent occurring in slum areas. Countries with
of the habitat of bulging youth population are likely to
f o r e s t s p e c i e s experience civil conflicts. Competition in
Left to right: Mr. Shuzo Nishioka, Senior Research Fellow of the National Institute for Environ- could disappear the declining crop land and fresh water
mental Studies in Japan; Ms. Wakako Hironaka, MP (Japan) and acting Chair of JPFP; and
Ms. Han Myeong Sook, MP (South Korea), former Prime Minister, Environment Minister and
by the end of this is also associated with civil conflicts”,
Chair of the Committee on Population and Environment in South Korea century in Japan. he informed.
Left to right: Mr Jose Rimon, Senior Program Officer of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Ms. Kerry Nettle, MP (Australia); Mr. Chiaki Takahashi, Deputy Secretary-General of JPFP;
Mr. Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiataua, Speaker of Samoa, Vice-Chair of AFPPD and Chair of PPAPD; and Ms. Tuti Indarsih Loekman Soetrisno, MP (Indonesia)
Impacts of population in stability and
sustainability
Managing population growth is a key
component to stability and sustainability.
Almost all surveys worldwide show that
the approval and support for voluntary
family planning is high. Between 1960
and 2008, contraceptive prevalence in
developing countries increased from 9
to 45 percent among married women
of reproductive age. However, more
than 200 million women worldwide
of reproductive age continue to have
an unmet need for family planning.
“Addressing population growth will have
a significant impact on poverty, mortality,
diseases and conflicts. Communities
are less sustainable if living with high
levels of conflict. Societies are more
sustainable when health and social
needs of the most vulnerable are met”,
underlined Mr. Rimon.
Prevention approaches against
STIs
STIs are associated with serious health,
social and economic consequences;
and they cause considerable morbidity
and mortality. A successful approach
usually involves comprehensive sex
education programmes, adoption of
safe sex practices, and early detection
and treatment. Mr. Ho Pak Chung,
Regional Chair of the International
Planned Parenthood Federation - East,
South East Asia and Oceania Region
(IPPF-ESEAOR), urged governments
to target young people and women in
the prevention strategy, “It is important
that policy-makers adopt a realistic and
non-judgemental approach”.
Ms. Donya Aziz, MP (Pakistan) and Mr. Ho Pak Chung, Regional Chair of IPPF-ESEAOR
APDA-AFPPD statement
A panel to discuss the adoption of
an APDA-AFPPD Statement for the
G8 Summit followed – with Mr. Jose
Rimon, Senior Program Officer of the
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation;
Ms. Kerry Nettle, MP (Australia);
Mr. Chiaki Takahashi, MP (Japan)
and Deputy Secretary-General of
JPFP; Mr. Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe
Leiataua, Speaker of Samoa, Vice-
Chair of AFPPD and Chair of the Pacific
Parliamentary Assembly on Population
and Development; and Ms. Tuti Indarsih
Loekman Soetrisno, MP (Indonesia)
Ms. Raj Karim, Regional Director of IPPF-ESEAOR
Closing remarks
In her closing address, Ms. Raj Karim,
Regional Director of IPPF-ESEAOR,
said, “This clearly demonstrates the
need for us to be involved in the
population field; and to be sensitive,
vigilant and prepared to manage both
immediate and prolonged effects of any
environmental changes that may end
up in crisis”.
Ms. Wakako
Hironaka, MP
(Japan) and acting
Chair of JPFP, said,
“We have adopted
an inspiring APDA-
AFPPD Declaration.
While declarations
tend to lack focus,
ours has a very
clear message
because we had a
clear objective to start with. Without the
contributions of parliamentarians from
Asian countries, we could not attain this
outcome”.
AFPPD Executive Committee
Mandated Parliamentarian
Mobilization for ICPD+15
Survey Parliamentarians’
Performance on
Reproductive Health
Issues
AFPPD’s Executive Committee meeting,
under the chairmanship of Ms. Wakako
Hironaka, MP (Japan) – representing
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda of
Japan, Chair of AFPPD – decided
to mobilize parliamentarians for the
International Conference on Population
and Development (ICPD)+15 in 2009.
A working group of parliamentarians
will be setup to draft a programme for
ICPD+15 in 2009.
One of the important decisions
was to survey the performance of
parliamentarians on ICPD issues –
Philippines and India already conducted
such a survey. The meeting reviewed the
AFPPD’s report on advocacy techniques
in working with parliamentarians.
Mr. Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiatau,
Speaker of Samoa and Chair of the
Pacific Parliamentary Assembly on
Population and Development (PPAPD),
was elected as the Vice-Chair of
AFPPD.
The meeting was attended by Mr.
Garimella Giridhar, Director of UNFPA-
CST, Bangkok; Ms. Raj Karim, Regional
Director of the International Planned
Parenthood Federation-East, South
East Asia and Oceania Region; and
Dr.Osamu Kusumoto, Secretary
General/Executive Director of APDA –
apart from member parliamentarians of
Australia, India, Indonesia, Philippines
and Thailand.
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AFPPD Reviewed
Effective Advocacy Techniques in Working
with Parliamentarians

Over the past 27 years, AFPPD has used a variety of advocacy strategies to keep parliamentarians engaged on population
and development-related issues. The key strategies that the AFPPD employs to achieve these objectives are to hold
conferences, workshops, study visits, focus groups and parliamentarian participation at the regional and international levels.
Other important strategies employed were the Person to Person Advocacy Projects (PPAP) and capacity development of
parliamentary staff.
On March 26-28, AFPPD, in collaboration Reproductive Health (SRH) are translated far partnerships with parliamentarians
w i t h U N F PA - I n d o n e s i a a n d t h e into policies for implementation. have created a difference in our efforts to
Indonesian Forum of Parliamentarians on meet the Millennium Development Goals
Global Survey of UNFPA (MDG) and the Programme of Action
Population and Development (IFPPD),
organized a workshop in Bali, Indonesia He further said that the 2006 global survey (PoA) of the International Conference
to review which of these techniques are of UNFPA revealed that parliamentarians on Population and Development
effective in motivating parliamentarians were personally involved in proposing (ICPD). I hope this meeting can further
and how their role can be enhanced. 157 bills, approving 67 policies and improve our collaboration with the
Twenty two parliamentarians and enacting 250 laws in different countries. parliamentarians to ensure their active
national committee staffs from 10 Most of these laws dealt with gender participation in meeting the MDGs and
Asia-Pacific countries attended the equality, women empowerment, gender- the ICPD PoA”, he added.
workshop. based violence, SRH, human rights, HIV/
PPAP is in line towards reaching
AIDS, population and development.
Parliamentarians’ role in eradicating the fulfilment of the MDGs and the
extreme poverty in Asia-Pacific Further improve collaboration with ICPD principles
parliamentarians Ms. Aisyah Baidlowi
To commence the workshop, Mr. MP (Indonesia), Vice-Chair of AFPPD
Zahidul Huque, Representative of “As we are getting closer to 2015, we and Chair of IFPPD
UNFPA-Indonesia, said in his opening need to examine the effectiveness of
remarks, “Asia Pacific has progressed the ongoing processes, especially in Ms. Aisyah Baidlowi – MP (Indonesia),
in lowering the number of people living working with parliamentarians; and how Vice-Chair of AFPPD and Chair of
in extreme poverty, IFPPD – was involved during the
from 1 billion in implementation of PPAP in Indonesia.
1990 to 641 million She narrated, “I was engaged in the
a decade later. discussions on reproductive health,
To some extent, gender and population issues. My
the progress is involvement with this project in 2002
attributable to reminded me on the core principles of
contributions of our national development goals on the
parliamentarians.” issues that aim in creating better quality
The role of the of life through sustainable development.
parliamentarians is PPAP is also in line towards reaching
to create a political the fulfilment of MDGs and ICPD
environment where principles.” Parliamentarians are among
views on poverty the important key figures to make the
eradication, enacting of laws on reproductive health,
sustainable gender, and population urgent. She
development, stressed, “The outcome of this meeting
gender equality, can provide us with opportunities to
population and improve our future engagements with
Mr. Zahidul Huque (left), Representative of UNFPA-Indonesia; and Ms. Aisyah Baidlowi
Sexual a n d (right), MP (Indonesia), Vice-Chair of AFPPD and Chair of IFPPD advocacy”.

Mr. Samidjo (left), Programme Officer for Advocacy of UNFPA-Indonesia; and Mr. P J parliamentarians on
Kurien (right), MP (India)
Experiences with advocacy in working
with parliamentarians
Throughout the workshop, participants
were given the opportunity to share
their experiences in working with
parliamentarians. A session to build
understanding on advocacy was
facilitated by Mr. Samidjo, National
Programme Officer for Advocacy of
UNFPA-Indonesia. Ms. Carla Benham,
Programme Associate of AFPPD,
p r e s e n t e d t h e e ff e c t i v e n e s s o f
conferences, workshops and panel
discussions as techniques in motivating
parliamentarian action.
Mr. Gerard de Kort, Consultant and former Manager of
PPAP in AFPPD
PPAP’s concept and impacts
An overview of the PPAP – its concept
and impacts – was highlighted by Mr.
Gerard de Kort, Consultant and former
Manager of PPAP in AFPPD. He informed
that under PPAP, parliamentarians met
to discuss ICPD issues, and their level
of knowledge was assessed. All the
interviews were also recorded.
Key impacts, challenges and lessons
learned from PPAP in Cambodia
Reports from 5 Asian countries on the
key impacts, challenges and lessons
learned from PPAP were presented at
the workshop. Mr. Hap Omaly, Deputy
Director for International Relations of the
Cambodian Parliament and in-charge
of the Cambodian supported; while the use of contraceptives
Association of and sex education were more opposed
Parliamentarians by the parliamentarians”.
on Population and PPAP laid out the basic foundation of
Development, IFPPD’s current programmes
informed that from
2002 to 2003, “Mobilizing support in forms of political
183 Cambodian commitment and will towards a concrete
parliamentarians plan of action lead to the formation of
and senators policies, increase in budget allocation
were interviewed and effective implementation. PPAP,
f o r P PA P. T h e one of IFPPD’s early projects, laid
project assessed out the basic foundation block of its
the current level current programmes”, said Mr. Umar
of awareness and Zulkarnain Aziz, National Project
involvement of Coordinator of IFPPD. The key findings
from IFPPD suggested that 95 percent
reproductive health, of the elected representatives had heard
family planning and HIV/AIDS. about population and reproductive
health issues, and they mostly support
PPAP helped to establish a gender issues. Although the local
databank of ‘human development’ parliamentarians had good knowledge
legislators in the Philippines on the issues, their understanding on
Ms. Emmylou Mendoza specific topics still need improvement
MP (Philippines) – such as the way to treat HIV/AIDS-
infected persons, interventions on
PPAP in the Philippines provided domestic violence against women,
a venue for discussing important population mobility and family welfare
social issues, especially reproductive development.
health; and it helped to establish a
data bank of ‘human development’ Gender issues and unattended
legislators. Ms. Emmylou Mendoza, MP child delivery remain as main
(Philippines) underlined that 84 percent problems in Laos
of the legislators favored the integration Mr. Phonethep Pholsena
MP (Laos)
“During the PPAP in Laos, less
than 50 percent of the interviewed
parliamentarians are familiar with
reproductive health, AIDS, STI and
gender issues”, stated Mr. Phonethep
Pholsena, MP (Laos). Many of the
parliamentarians expressed that the age
of marriage must be more than 18, men
should be involved in family planning
and women should be empowered.
As a result, the Lao Association of
Ms. Emmylou Mendoza, MP (Philippines) Parliamentarians on Population and
Development organized a workshop,
of population management in the concerned at population, development,
government’s development planning reproductive health, HIV and gender
while 87 percent supported the national issues.
policy that provided
reproductive
health services to
poor communities.
She informed,
“Measures for
the prevention
of HIV/AIDS
and Sexually-
Transmitted
Infections (STI),
provisions on safe
motherhood, and
male involvement
in reproductive
health were more Mr. Phonethep Pholsena (left), MP (Laos); and Mr. Albertus Budi (right), MP (Indonesia)
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Importance of media in
advocacy campaigns
Ms. Jane Singleton, Chief
Executive Officer of the
Australian Reproductive
Health Alliance, presented
the importance of media
in advocacy campaigns
and she provided tips for
effective ways in which the
media can be engaged. She
informed that it is one of
Senator Pum Sichan (left) of Cambodia and Ms. Jane Singleton (right), Chief the most powerful ways to
Executive Officer of ARHA
advocate parliamentarians
Mr. Deepak Gupta, Senior Health Specialist of UNICEF-
Indian parliamentarians agree that who wish to influence their peers and the Indonesia
male involvement in reproductive policies, and for national committee staff Alternative approaches in building
health needs emphasis to influence parliamentarians.
alliance
Political advocacy on maternal
Under PPAP, the Indian Association Mr. Azrul Mohd. Khalib, Advocacy Officer
health, youth, HIV/AIDS and gender
of Parliamentarians on Population of the International Planned Parenthood
issues
and Development released a Federation (IPPF), discussed on what
survey on “Involvement of Elected Speaking on the experiences gathered alternative approaches could be used in
Representatives for Advocacy on and tools developed for political advocacy the future to motivate parliamentarians
Population, Reproductive Health, HIV/ on maternal health, youth, HIV/AIDS on population and development issues.
AIDS and Women Empowerment”. The and gender issues, Mr. Deepak Gupta, He suggested, “We need to build an
survey found out that nearly all elected Senior Health Specialist of UNICEF- alliance with organizations dealing with
representatives agree that population Indonesia,
increase is a barrier to economic growth emphasized
and poverty alleviation. “It was noted that the essential
that 96 percent of parliamentarians ingredient for
had been aware of STI but only some success in
of them knew on its transmission developing
methods”, said Mr. Manmohan Sharma, h e a l t h
Executive Secretary of IAPPD programmes
is sustained
Study tours and field visits as
p o l i t i c a l
methods in advocacy
advocacy.
Ms. Joanna Spratt, Manager of the Various effective
New Zealand Parliamentarians’ Group advocacy tools
on Population and Development, that can be
discussed motivational techniques for e m p l o y e d Ms. Barbara Stewart (left), MP (New Zealand); and Mr. Azrul Mohd. Khalib (right), Advocacy
parliamentarians on study tours and f o r e l e c t e d Officer of IPPF-Malaysia
field visits. Study tours are effective representatives were consultations, HIV/AIDS and women development, and
techniques to share experiences on meetings, national dailies, TV and radio develop clear policy statements”. Mr. K S
certain issues, in contrast, field visits forums, and study tours. He underlined, Seetharam, Consultant, summarized the
are used to observe the implementation “I urge everyone to integrate political findings of the workshop. It was found
of programmes and to have direct advocacy with an over-all programme out that there are several advocacy
contact with target audiences – such approach, make a reality check in an techniques that can be applied in
as HIV/AIDS infected people. “They issue, arrange media advocacy with working with parliamentarians; and
are both good techniques to increase parliamentarians, engage young leaders there is no single technique appropriate
the empathy of parliamentarians”, she and assist them in evidence-based for all situations, thus a combination of
highlighted. research”. techniques is necessary.

Mr. Ramon San Pascual (left), Executive Director of PLCPD; and Ms. Joana Spratt (right), Mr. K S Seetharam (left), Consultant; and Mr. Handoyo Ojong (right), MP (Indonesia)
Manager of NZPPD

What are the achievements
and aberrations of Sexual and
Reproductive Health and Rights
(SRHR) movements in your
country?
The Human Rights Protection Party
gives importance to the health services
in our country and the government
increased the budgetary allocation for
the last three consecutive years. Still,
most people in rural areas have little
access to health services. Absence of
qualified doctors and trained nurses
adds to this problem. These are the
two key areas where efforts need to
be made.
Had your government fully
implemented the International
Conference on Population and
D e v e l o p m e n t ’s P r o g r a m m e o f
Action?
An increase in budgetary allocation
for health is an indication of the
government’s intention. The recently
launched project to fulfil the Millennium
Development Goals by 2015, with the
financial support of the Samoa Telecom
Corporation, is another step towards
that direction.
Religious beliefs have always come
in between in the implementation of
policies relating to family planning
and reproductive health. How can
the reproductive rights of people be
protected?
Contrary to the public belief, religion
plays a positive role in promoting family
planning and reproductive health in our
country. Christianity promotes healthy
discussions between the Church and
the people on issues such as these. I
would rather say that the information on
the internet on sex and related issues
is trash and has left young people
confused. However, the government is
FACE TO FACE
“Religion Plays a Positive Role in
Promoting Family Planning in Samoa”
Mr. Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiataua
Speaker of Parliament (Samoa), Vice-Chair of AFPPD and Chair of the
Pacific Parliamentary Assembly on Population and Development
making efforts to uphold the reproductive
rights of the people.
What steps have been taken to check
the growing violence against women
in your country?
The government has taken several
initiatives to check violence against
women in all forms by suggesting heavy
penalties for the guilty.
Are women and youth really
empowered in your country?
Yes, both women and youth are
empowered in our country. In fact, there
are many NGOs helping women to raise
their voices against any oppression.
At the local level, the government is
trying to help women through village
councils.
SRHR of lesbian, gay and bisexual
young people are important, the
same with other ‘normal’ men and
women. What are your comments?
I totally agree that health care providers
should take care the needs of lesbian,
gay and bisexual people, equal with
other ‘normal’ men and women. But I
cannot say much of this.
How active is media in SRHR
advocacy programmes?
Media has been playing a critical role
in advocacy programmes of SRHR
in Samoa. Both print and electronic
media are playing an active role on the
PhilippineParliamentariansUrgedGovernmenttoUtilize
Family Planning Budget
Reproductive health and family planning
advocates, including the Philippine
Legislators’ Committee on Population
and Development (PLCPD), urged all
government health offices to mobilize
and request fund to continue with the
family planning efforts in the Philippines.
“The budget for family planning is the
money allocated for the people; and
government health offices must take
the initiative to use it where it is really
issue. The Ministry of Women Affairs is
promoting SRHR in rural areas.
Are SRHR programmes on women
and youth friendly in your country?
Yes.
Should sex education be added in the
curriculum of schools?
The government is trying to bring
together the ministries on health and
women affairs, and NGOs for the better
management of health services in the
country. Regarding the education of
youth, we have started imparting sex
education in the secondary education’s
curriculum.
Do you agree that the lack of political
commitment has always pushed back
efforts of programmes relating to
SRHR?
The political commitment to support
SRHR issues is very much in place but
we need to create awareness about it.
However, the government should enact
a legislation to make it implemented and
monitored.
What message are you taking from
the Hyderabad Conference, which has
dealt with SRHR issues at length?
I will tell the government to involve
legislatures in promoting SRHR issues
and in providing safety for women.
- Interviewed by Ms. Anju Grover
targeted. It is a huge opportunity that
they must immediately grab because if
the amount is left unused, the fund will
be realigned to other projects, and this
sends a wrong message that funds on
family planning is not needed after all”,
said Mr. Ramon San Pascual, Executive
Director of PLCPD. In 2008, 50 million
USD was allotted for the procurement of
contraceptives but remains unused.
Source: Sun Star
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41st Session of the Commission on Population and Development “Parliamentarians Should be
Ms. Thoraya Obaid Urged to Develop Capacities for Active in Saving Girl Child”
Sustainable Urban Growth Management Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,
family planning, was underlined. Ms.
India
Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director of New Delhi, April 29: “Every elected
UNFPA, focused her opening address representative must actively participate
on the role of urbanization in social and in the campaign for saving girl child”,
economic development, and the need said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
for governments to develop capacities of India while addressing the National
for sustainable management of urban Meeting on “Save the Girl Child”.
growth. She highlighted the insufficient Describing the practice of female
level of funding for the implementation feticide as inhuman, uncivilized and
of ICPD’s Programme of Action (PoA) reprehensible; Mr. Singh underlined that
and called on countries to increase the discrimination against women begins
their investments in all areas of ICPD at home. “The patriarchal mindset
to promote economic growth, poverty and preference for male children are
reduction and gender equality. compounded by an unethical conduct on
the part of some medical practitioners
The commission addressed the benefits who illegally offer sex determination
New York, April 7-11: The 41st session of urbanization, and underscored the services”, he added.
of the Commission on Population links between the implementation of
and Development (CPD) adopted a ICPD PoA and the achievement of Stressing the need for awareness, he
resolution on “Population Distribution, internationally agreed development urged all concerned to put an end to
Urbanization, Internal Migration and goals. In a final resolution, it recalled female feticide. He asked the Ministry
Development”, in which the importance the commitment to achieve universal of Health to focus on orienting elected
of implementation of the International access to reproductive health by 2015, representatives and to use them as
Conference on Population and acknowledged the lack of funding for medium in fighting the practice. He
Development (ICPD), particularly the ICPD, and urged the international told the Ministry of Women and Child
access to reproductive health and community to mobilize resources. Development that it should support
women leaders to strengthen the
Parliamentarians at the Population, Peak Oil and Climate nutrition programme in India. Urging
the participation of every citizen in
Change Conference in Australia empowering the girl child, the Prime
Canberra, Minister said that the action must begin
March 14-15: at home.
Scientist and
policymakers The meeting on “Save the Girl Child”
from United was organized by the Ministry of Health
K i n g d o m , and Family Welfare. The inaugural
Philippines, session was addressed by Mr. Anbumani
New Zealand Ramdoss, Minister of Health and Family
and Australia Welfare; Ms. Renuka Choudhury,
gathered at the Minister of State for Women and Child
conference, Development; and Ms. Panabaka
“Population, Lakshmi, Minister of State for Health
Peak Oil and and Family Welfare.
Climate Change”,
to discuss the
impacts of these Ms. Jill Pettis (left), Chair of NZPPD, and Senator Claire Moore of Australia (right). Photo: New Zealand Forum Briefed
i s s u e s o n t h e NZPPD Parliamentary Staff on Population
Millennium Development Goals (MDG). A report released at the conference and Development Issues
Speakers at the conference included from UK All Party Parliamentary Group
Mr. Bob McMullan, Parliamentary on Population, Development and Wellington, April 30: The New Zealand
Secretary on International Development Reproductive Health highlighted that Parliamentarians’ Group on Population
Assistance; Mr. Andrew McNamara, eradicating hunger is going to be almost and Development (NZPPD) organized a
Minister for Sustainability, Climate impossible. Seventy-six million mouths session and a debate on population and
and Innovation in Australia; and Mr. are to be fed every year, changing development issues – participated by
Mal Washer, Chair of the Australian weather patterns, rising oil prices and officials, advisors and representatives of
Parliamentary Group on Population and competition for land to grow biofuels the Inter-Parliamentary Unit of parliament.
Development. Ms. Jill Pettis, Chair of the are making it harder to grow enough Ms. Naomi Williams, Information and
New Zealand Parliamentarians’ Group on food. As food supplies become scarcer, Parliamentary Coordinator, discussed
Population and Development, attended people are forced to find other areas to the background information of NZPPD.
the conference on behalf of AFPPD. farm for food and to grow biofuels. In She also provided some overview of the
The conference was organized by the the process, they cut down forests and population and development challenges
Sustainable Population Australia. exacerbate biodiversity loss. in the Pacific region.
 “We Must Mobilize Political Commitment and Financing in
Making Concrete Advances to Achieve Health-Related
Millennium Development Goals”
Ms. Purnima Mane, Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA, addressed the Countdown to 2015
Parliamentarian Conference in Cape Town, South Africa
The parliamentarians who this happens.” Ms. Mane added.
attended the 118th Assembly Represent the voice of women
of the Inter-Parliamentary
Union joined with global Mr. Francisco Songane, Director
health experts and policy Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and
makers at the Countdown Child Health, urged the parliamentarians,
to 2015 Conference in Cape “From your experience, leadership
Town, South Africa on April and commitment, I encourage you to
17-19, organized by the represent the ‘voices’ of women and
Partnership for Maternal, children. I ask you to ensure that MDGs
Newborn and Child Health, are priority on the agenda and to allocate
to discuss the role they money to address the situation”.
can play in accelerating
actions to achieve the Ms. Purnima Mane (right), Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA. Photo: WHO At the event, AFPPD-associated
Millennium Development / Giacomo Pirozzi parliamentarians – Princess Sisowath
Goals (MDG) 4 and 5 on reducing child Invest in women Santa from Cambodia; Ms. Aisyah
death and improving maternal health, Baidlowi, Ms. Angelina Sondakh and
respectively. Investing in women improves the well- Mr. MH Fansarullah Asa from Indonesia;
No woman should die giving life being of their family and the nation. It is Mr. Phonethep Pholsena from Laos; Mr.
estimated that the economic impact of Nandor Tanczos from New Zealand; Ms.
In her speech at the opening session maternal and newborn deaths amounts Ahn Myung Ock from South Korea; Mr.
of the conference, Ms. Purnima Mane, to 15 USD billion per year in productivity Nimal de Silva, Minister for Healthcare
Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA, lost. She underlined, “It has been said and Nutrition of Sri Lanka; and others
said, “No woman should die giving that a society can be judged by how it attended the assembly.
life and no newborn or child should treats women and children. I say, let us
die when we know what needs to be be judged by what we do to improve
done to save their lives. All partners maternal, newborn and child health”
should reaffirm their determination to A milestone to mobilize action
improve maternal, newborn, child and
reproductive health. We must mobilize The conference served as a milestone
political commitment and financing, and to mobilize global commitment and
make concrete programmatic advances action in maternal, newborn and child
to achieve success”. health. It also served as a major push to
all actors and stakeholders to do rapidly,
Reach beyond health partners to
effectively and in better coordination.
achieve MDGs
“Let us countdown to success, and to a
She urged participants to reach beyond world where women and children enjoy
health partners to achieve MDGs 4 life, health and opportunity; and where
and 5, adding that, “All actors have all of us can say with conviction that we Mr. Francisco Songane, Director Partnership for Maternal,
to work together to support nationally did everything we could to ensure that Newborn and Child Health. Photo: WHO / Giacomo Pirozzi
driven plans, strategies and health
systems. We must develop common 64th Session of UNESCAP
monitoring and evaluation frameworks
for our programmes, and we must bring Develop Renewable Energy for Long-Term
our collective will and motivation to
accelerate actions”.
Energy Security
Bangkok, April 24-30: The Commission Speakers of the event included Prime
Train health workers
session, which was attended by ministers Minister Samak Sundaravej of Thailand;
“To achieve our goals, we need and senior officials from 50 countries, Mr. Shigeru Mochida, Deputy Executive
functioning health systems with strong adopted a resolution to cooperate Secretary of UNESCAP; and Ms.
supply chains, well-equipped facilities proactively on the development of Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Secretary
and skilled health workers. We must renewable energy, in an effort to reduce of UNESCAP. AFPPD was represented
focus our efforts to train health workers dependency on fossil fuels and to by Ms. Carla Benham, Programme
in communities where they are needed. enhance long-term energy security. In Associate. The findings from a joint
If there are shortages of doctors, other addition, the session adopted several report by the United Nations and
clinical health workers can be trained to other resolutions on issues such as Asian Development Bank, entitled “A
perform key life-saving functions”. Ms. the Millennium Development Goals, Future Within Reach 2008”, were also
Mane emphasized. resilience to disasters and transport. discussed at the session.

9
10
Without High Level of Political Support, it is Impossible to
Control HIV/AIDS
Important Role of Parliamentary Networks and Parliamentarians Highlighted
“Stronger leadership and political
commitment on AIDS is urgently needed
in Asia”, highlighted by a recent report
“Redefining AIDS in Asia – Crafting an
Effective Response” of the Commission
on AIDS in Asia – where Mr. JVR
Prasada Rao, Director of UNAIDS-
Asia-Pacific, and Ms. Nerissa Corazon
Ruiz, MP (Philippines) and Chair of
the Philippine Legislators’ Committee
on Population and Development, were
members.
Globally, successful HIV responses
have been driven by strong
commitment and leadership
The key findings and recommendations
of the report suggest that without high
levels of political support, it is impossible
to overcome the obstacles that block
effective programmes from controlling
the pandemic.
Effective leadership tackles difficult
issues and mobilizes action
Addressing AIDS brings to the fore
controversial issues which mainstream
society prefers to avoid – like sex
work, drug use and homosexuality.
Social taboos go hand-in-hand with the
stigma and discrimination which people
infected with HIV experience and which
sabotage HIV responses. In few places,
courageous leadership from political and
social leaders has challenged these
taboos, defused stigma and mobilized
the public.
Asian countries with strong
leadership have reversed the growth
of their HIV epidemics
Asian leaders in places such as Thailand,
Hong Kong, Cambodia and Tamil Nadu
in India had the foresight to recognize
the threat of AIDS early on; they provided
leadership that proves vital for reversing
their epidemics. But such cases are the
exception to what has been until quite
recently a generalized lack of high-level
commitment and leadership with respect
to AIDS programmes in Asia.
More Asian leaders are now acting on
HIV, but much more is needed
Evidence gathered by the Commission
shows that more political leaders in
Asia are taking up the AIDS agenda.
Many national leaders have begun to
provide some leadership support to
AIDS programmes. This is evident in
Commission on AIDS in Asia Report
the larger commitment of resources,
the creation of stronger governance
structures for programme delivery, and
the more meaningful involvement of
affected communities in some places.
At the same time, current responses
in most countries are still too limited to
reverse the epidemics. Leaders should
and can do more.
Ms. Nerissa Corazon Ruiz (left), MP (Philippines), and
Mr. JVR Prasada Rao (right), Director of the UNAIDS-
Asia-Pacific
There are still serious gaps in
addressing AIDS
Few leaders in Asia have made AIDS
a genuine national priority. Efforts to
create a supportive environment for
HIV interventions remain scarce. In the
past five years, hardly any country in
Asia has brought its laws in line with
the urgent need to provide those people
most at risk of infection with HIV-related
services. In many countries, the rights
of people living with HIV are not yet
explicitly safeguarded. Where top level
commitment does exist, resources often
Indonesian Forum Working on Regional AIDS Legislation
Mr. Hakim Pohan (left), MP (Indonesia) and Vice-Chair of IFPPD; and H.
Muharrar (right), Chair of the Commission of West Nusa Tenggara
do not reach the provincial and local
levels, leading to uneven, unpredictable
and inefficient HIV programmes.
Moreover, few government bureaucrats
recognize the importance of the active
involvement of communities. Resource
commitments still fall short of the
levels needed to halt and reverse the
epidemic.
Role of parliamentarians in AIDS
advocacy in Asia
The Commission acknowledges the
important role of parliamentarians in
AIDS advocacy in Asia. Some politicians
have made valuable efforts to build
awareness among their constituencies,
lobby for HIV-related legislation, ensure
that intellectual property laws support
equitable access to medicines, press
for more HIV resources, and hold their
governments accountable for their
countries’ HIV responses. Parliamentary
committees on HIV have been set up
in a number of countries. The report
indirectly mentioned AFPPD at few
places by stating, “Increasingly,
regional networks of parliamentarians
are also focusing on issues related
to HIV and sexual and reproductive
health”.
Leadership and political
commitment are the most important
prerequisites
Asia’s countries have the opportunity
to reverse the HIV epidemics and undo
the damage being done. Seizing that
opportunity requires stronger leadership
across the board. Leaders should begin
by clearly demonstrating their support
for HIV strategies that are pragmatic
and of proven effectiveness.
Source: Report of the
Commission on AIDS in Asia
West Nusa Tenggara, April
30: The Indonesian Forum
of Parliamentarians on
Population and Development
organized a meeting, funded
by AFPPD’s small grant,
in preparation of a local
regulation on HIV/AIDS
prevention and care. Full
article will be issued in
AFPPD’s May-June 2008
newsletter.
Repositioning Family Planning on the Development Agenda
by Jyoti Singh
Permanent Observer to the United Nations of ‘Partners in Population and Development’,
and former Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA
United Nations, March 12: Family
planning is a central component of
reproductive health, as defined by
the 1994 International Conference on
Population and Development (ICPD).
But the Conference gave reproductive
health a broad-based character – by
linking family planning with the treatment
and prevention of Sexually Transmitted
Diseases (STD), the reduction of
maternal mortality, and the promotion
of maternal health and sexual and
reproductive health of both men and
women.
Within this comprehensive framework of
reproductive health, ICPD’s Programme
of Action proposed that all countries
should strive to make reproductive
health accessible as soon as possible
and no later than the year 2015.
Reproductive Health and the
Millennium Development Goals
(MDG)
Subsequent to the ICPD, the goal
of universal reproductive health was
endorsed by a number of other major
international conferences. However
due to the political manoeuvring by a
small group of countries, the goal of
universal reproductive health by 2015
was not included among the goals of the
Millennium Declaration, adopted by the
heads of states and governments at the
UN summit in 2000. This situation was
only rectified in 2005 when the MDG+5
Summit agreed to include reproductive
health as an additional target to be
achieved.
Problem of integration
While the goal of universal reproductive
health services, including family planning,
is clearly a priority for the international
community; the progress towards
implementing this goal at the national
level has run into several obstacles and
difficulties. First of all, there is a problem
of integrating separate services in the
area of reproductive health. Family
planning and treatment of STDs have
been traditionally provided through
other sections of the health system and
HIV/AIDS-related services.
Both the World Health Organization
(WHO) and UNFPA take the position
now that family planning and HIV/AIDS
services should be integrated as far as
possible, and they are urging countries
to move in this direction. However, there
is a resistance to such integration from
separately entrenched programme
managers and civil servants, as well as
from international donors.
Cultural and religious traditions
There are problems relating to cultural or
religious traditions. What kind of sexual
or reproductive health information
should be provided to adolescents? And
further on, what kind of access should
adolescents have to contraceptive
supplies and services? The international
consensus, as outlined at Cairo on this
subject, is in favor of giving adolescents
Asia-Pacific is home to 3.7 billion
people, which amounts to 60 percent of
the world population. The share of Asia-
Pacific, in terms of the number of people
living in social and economic poverty,
is larger than the share of the world
population. Little progress has been
made and a large number of people
have become newly impoverished, as
social and economic supply systems
are dismantled with integration in the
global economy. Mr. Jyoti Singh’s article
from IPS is a reminder to the need for
family planning.
greater access to information and
services. But the interpretation of the
consensus at the country level depends
on how a national consensus on this
question is developed. Civil society
organizations should play a major role in
building up such a consensus that takes
due account of cultural sensitivities.
Should abortion be legal
Abortion is another subject that arouses
serious debate and passion. Cairo
agreed that abortion is not to be
regarded as a method of family planning,
but it is a serious health concern and
should be treated as such at the national
level. Whether abortion should be legal
or not, it is ultimately a question to be
resolved by laws and regulations under
the national jurisdiction. This consensus
has held at the international level
despite acrimonious debates in several
international meetings.
Resource mobilization
Costs become a paramount consideration
when the governments, in partnership
with the private sector and the civil
society, seek to achieve the goal of
providing universal reproductive health
services by 2015. Over all, developing
countries are allocating large amounts to
provisions of health services, including
family planning; but the total allocations
in this sector hide the fact that a few
countries in Asia account to the major
part of these allocations and most of the
countries remain woefully short of the
resources required to make the ICPD
goal a reality.
Problem of inadequate funding
The problem is further aggravated by
the fact that the international assistance
for the sector presents a very distorted
picture compared to what was envisaged
at Cairo. Since Cairo, the percentage
of international assistance allocated to
family planning has gone down from 55
to 9 percent. While the support for HIV-
AIDS services is now running at 10-12
USD billion a year, the support for family
planning has not grown much and has
remained stagnant.
Similarly, the support for maternal
health services remains quite low while
the estimates for maternal deaths that
can be attributed to pregnancy-related
causes have not gone down in 20 years.
The basic research, data and population
policy analysis programmes also suffer
from totally inadequate funding.
Strengthening political commitment
and support
Our goal in the immediate future should
be to refocus both the national and
international attentions on strengthening
political commitment and support for
the achievement of the ICPD goal of
universal reproductive health services
by 2015, including family planning. The
achievement of this goal must be seen
as part of the comprehensive efforts to
implement the MDGs.
Source: IPS
11
12
International Women’s Day in Thailand
Investing for Women Empowerment for Economic Growth Highlighted
Development Goals.

Mr. Shigeru Mochida, Deputy Executive

Secretary of UNESCAP, and Ms. Gwi-
Yeop Son, UN Resident Coordinator
in Thailand, opened the Women’s Day
celebration. The event featured the
keynote remarks on “Financing for
Gender Equality” of Ms. Thelma Kay,
Chief of the Emerging Social Issues
Ms. Thelma Kay, Chief of the Emerging Social Issues Division of UNESCAP; Ms. Gwi-Yeop Son, UN Resident Coordinator
in Thailand; Mr. Shigeru Mochida, Deputy Executive Secretary of UNESCAP; and Ms. Jean D’ Cunha, Regional Programme
Division of UNESCAP. A dialogue on
Director of UNIFEM-East and Southeast Asia. “Investing in Gender Equality and
Bangkok, March 7: “Investing in growth and development of the country, Freedom from Violence” was chaired by
Women and Girls”, which highlights was the theme of the International Ms. Jean D’ Cunha, Regional Programme
the importance of financial and other Women’s Day. Increasing resources for Director of UNIFEM-East and Southeast
resources for the promotion of women women empowerment has benefits to Asia. AFPPD was represented by
empowerment, and the effects of families and societies, and it contributes Programme Associates: Ms. Passawee
investing in women on the economic to the achievement of the Millennium Tapasanan and Ms. Carla Benham.

European Forum Discussed Public Health Policies for
Reproductive Health and Women Rights
Stockholm, April 28-30: The European
Parliamentary Forum on Population
and Development (EPF) and the
Swedish All-Party Parliamentary Group
organized a conference to discuss public
health policies and attitudes toward
reproductive health and women rights
in Europe. With 70 participants from
Left to right: Ms. Cecilia Wikstrom, MP (Sweden) and Chair of the Swedish All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sexual and
Reproductive Health and Rights; Ms. Anne van Lancker, MP (Belgium) and President of EPF; and Mr. Neil Datta, Secretary
of EPF. Photo: EPF
parliaments and NGOs, the conference
discussed the underlying issues that
drive toward restrictions in reproductive
health and women right policies. In
addition, EPF launched the “Political
Party Mapping” that helps to influence
the sexual and reproductive health and
rights’ positions of political parties.
Threat of Increasing Population
to the Environment
Thai Minister of Natural
Resources and Environment
Bangkok, March 8: “The best way to
protect the forests is birth control”, said
Ms. Anongwan Thepsuthin, Minister of
Natural Resources and Environment
in Thailand. Increasing population in
communities near forests has led to
increasing deforestation. “I don’t think
birth control violates human rights. We
have to do this because increasing
population is posing a serious threat
to forests”, she underlined. There are
more than one million families of forest
dwellers living in protected forests. “A
serious birth control scheme should
be implemented among communities.
Overpopulated villages lead to sanitation
problems and untidiness, which could
have a bad impact”, she added.
Source: Bangkok Post

AFPPD Office Bearers Editor:

Chairman Shiv Khare
PRIME MINISTER Yasuo Fukuda
JAPAN

Vice-Chairpersons Secretary-General
Mr. Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe
Dr. Prat Boonyawongvirot, MP Assistant Editor & Layout Design:
THAILAND
Leiatau,MP
SAMOA
Philip Nalangan
Dr. Guowei Sang, MP Deputy Secretary-General
Sen. Beksultan Tutkushev
CHINA KAZAKHSTAN
Mr. Lakshman Singh, MP The AFPPD Newsletter is a sequential publication.
INDIA
Treasurer Copies can be obtained by contacting:
Ms. Truong Thi Mai, MP Ms. Darlene Custodio, MP
PHILIPPINES
VIETNAM
AFPPD: Phyathai Plaza, Suite 9-C, Phyathai Rd.
Ms. Aisyah Hamid Baidlowi, MP
Chairwoman, the Standing Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, THAILAND
Tel: (662) 219 2903 / 4
INDONESIA
Committee on Women
27
Executive Director Ms. Steve Chadwick, MP
Fax: (662) 219 2905 th
E-mail: afppd@afppd.org
Mr. Shiv Khare
THAILAND
Minister for Women Affairs
NEW ZEALAND On the Web: www.afppd.org
year