The Evolution of Family Planning in West Africa: 1964-2004 by Dr. Richard B. Turkson
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Transcript of The Evolution of Family Planning in West Africa: 1964-2004 by Dr. Richard B. Turkson
Repositioning Family Planning in West Africa
Repositionnement de la Planification Familiale en Afrique de l’Ouest
Sponsored by: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), World Health Organization (WHO), Action for West Africa Region Project - Reproductive Health (AWARE-RH), Advance Africa, the POLICY Project
The Evolution of Family Planning in West Africa:
1964-2004
byDr. Richard B. Turkson
February 15, 2005La Palm Hotel-Accra,
Ghana
Introduction/Background
• From where have we COME• Where are we NOW• Significant landmarks in evolution of
FP in West Africa• What factors have influenced the
various phases• Where are we all HEADED!!
Whence come we?…• Pre 1960s
- Modern FP non-existent in West Africa region- Francophone W. Africa & the French Anti-
Contraception Law of 1920
• The period 1960-1970s- Changes began to emerge - Some Countries with official government policies- In others, perception of the problem of under-
population
• The period 1980-1990s- Reverses in economic gains of the 1970s- High rates of population growth – Credibility
of the FP moment enhanced- EXPECTANT SLOGANS ‘ FP for all! etc
The 1990s- period of RISING EXPECTATIONS
• Earlier in the 1984 Arusha Declaration, FP seen as integral part of socio-economic development and a contributor to QUALITY HEALTH
• Preparatory regional meetings produced the DAKAR-NGOR Declaration – Re-affirmation of Arusha Declaration
• The historic ICPD, Cairo 1994 - 20 year POA
• World-wide recognition of FP as a basic HUMAN RIGHT
• This right translates or should translate into the necessary social, economic and cultural conditions under which the individual’s legitimate aspirations and dignity may be realized
Ten years on - What is the SITUATION?
10.3
78.1
20.911.5
81.1
18.9
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
More developed regions Less developed regions Africa
1994
2004
Source: World Population Prospects, 2002
Percent of World Population Distribution
Ten years on - What is the SITUATION?
Source: World Population Prospects, 2002
5.63
3.4
1.69
4.91
2.921.56
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
More developed regions Less developed regions Africa
1990-95
2000-05
Total Fertility Rate (Ave. # of children per woman)
Ten years on - What is the SITUATION?
TFR and CPR, West Africa
19
46
98
0
5
10
15
20
2530
35
40
45
50
Benin
B. Fas
o
Camer
oon
C. Ver
deCha
d
C. d'iv
oire
Gam
bia
Gha
na
Gui
nea
G. B
issau
Liber
iaM
ali
Mau
ritin
ia
Niger
Niger
ia
Seneg
al
S. Leo
neTog
o
TFR
CPR
Source: PRB, 2004 World Pop. Data Sheet
In Sum…..….
• Evidence available indicates awareness has been created
• This has led to significant changes in official positions and attitudes to FP
• YET, major challenges remain since FP/RH is central to development and in meeting the MDGs
Some of the challenges……• Strengthen FP programmes-expand
coverage in rural areas-improve access to basic health services as well
• Do community outreach• Expansion implies improved logistics and
commodity supply – resource mobilization• Comprehensive review of laws, policies,
administrative regulations and socio-cultural practices relating to SRH
• Build stronger partnerships and collaboration
To Conclude……• ICPD Programme of ACTION needs to be
continuously explained, promoted and defended• ADVOCACY- to keep the relevant issues on the
front burner• Continue to involve Males, expand scope and
coverage of such programmes• Continue and conclude research into method mix.
eg male methods • Resource mobilization still critical to our success –
see quote from UN Secretary General
“The messages 10 years after the Conference are clear:current levels of resource mobilization are inadequate to fully implement
the Cairo agenda; resource gaps are especially large in poor countries. The consequences of resource shortfalls include significant increases in unintended pregnancies, abortions,
maternal morbidity and mortality, infant and child mortality, as well as AIDS-related morbidity and mortality… Without a firm
commitment to population and reproductive health and gender issues and the concomitant allocation of resources, it is unlikely
that any of the goals and targets of the conference or the Millennium summit will be
effectively met”.
Quote from Mr. Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General: Progress Report on Implementation of ICPD-POA