Progress & Promises - Trends in International Assistance for Reproductive Health and Population
May 1, 2007
Money matters and policies count. Ten years ago, at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo, the international community endorsed an approach to improving reproductive health based on meeting individual needs and respecting human rights. The 179 nations present agreed on a plan for achieving universal access to basic reproductive health care by 2015-and on the financial resources needed to make it a reality. They pledged to share the costs, estimated at US$18.5 billion annually by the year 2005, and donor nations committed to providing one-third of that total.
Male Circumcision: Another HIV Prevention Method Competing for Limited Funding?
April 30, 2007
Male circumcision, which has been shown to reduce a man's risk of contracting HIV by up to 65%, should be made available in countries highly affected by AIDS, according to the WHO and UNAIDS. Used in addition to other proven HIV prevention methods – especially those focused on protecting women – circumcision is proving to be another effective weapon to fight the spread of HIV; the latest tool in a growing arsenal of prevention methods that will face limited prevention resources due to the large abstinence-until-marriage spending requirement in PEPFAR. This earmark should be repealed to give countries that have the most to gain by promoting circumcision adequate resources with which to support this effort.
Earth Day 2007: Improving the Status of Women Will Make a World of Difference
April 23, 2007
As we celebrate the 37th Earth Day, the world is increasingly-albeit belatedly-focusing on how to address the growing problem of human-induced climate change and the environmental destruction that contributes to it. One critical, but often overlooked, part of any comprehensive program to tackle climate change is addressing gender inequality-particularly in terms of reproductive health-in the developing world.
Poor Access to Health Services: Ways Ethiopia is Overcoming It
April 23, 2007
Weak infrastructure and limited distribution systems in low-income countries complicate access to health services, especially in rural areas. Government health outlets may be relatively few and widely dispersed, and private-sector sources often favor wealthier urban areas, resulting in uneven service availability within a country. In the absence of a solid heath infrastructure, strengthening primary health care and innovative community-based health service delivery systems help provide more equitable access to health services.
The World Bank: Keep Reproductive Health Paramount
April 16, 2007
The World Bank has a long history of supporting and strengthening reproductive health. This is why the reproductive health community was shocked last week when allegations surfaced that the World Bank's Health, Nutrition and Population Strategy may de-prioritize the importance of family planning and reproductive health services to development progress. Certainly we heard more substantiated rumors that references to family planning were expunged from key country development strategies, Madagascar most notably. Because these initiatives are crucial to attaining the Bank's goal of eliminating global poverty, the World Bank must maintain and reaffirm their commitment to reproductive health when they review the Health, Nutrition and Population Strategy on April 24th.
The Shape of Things to Come - Why Age Structure Matters To A Safer, More Equitable World
April 11, 2007
The Shape of Things to Come provides valuable new insights into the programs and investments that can make countries "healthier"-more stable and peaceful, more democratic, and better able to provide for the needs of their citizens. It places all countries into one of four major age structures with attendant characteristics, benefits and risks associated with governance, security and economic development.
PAI Unveils the Shape of Things to Come
April 9, 2007
Investments in reproductive health programs and services can make countries “healthier”-more secure and peaceful, more democratic, and better able to provide for the needs of their citizens, according to a seminal new report from PAI. The Shape of Things to Come: Why Age Structure Matters to a Safer, More Equitable World examines the connections between demographics, reproductive health, international security, governance and other development issues. Programs that foster more balanced age structures-such as family planning, infant and maternal health, and girls' education-must become a cornerstone of all international development assistance.
Very Young Populations Contribute to Strife, Study Concludes
Media Source: New York Times
April 4, 2007
Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan and Congo have all suffered horrors brought on by disastrous governance and violent conflict. But they, and many of Africa's poorest countries, have something else in common: very young populations.
Global Security At Risk Without Future Investments in Family Planning, Infant and Maternal Health, Education and Economic Opportunities for Women and Young People
April 3, 2007
The Shape of Things to Come: Why Age Structure Matters to a Safer, More Equitable World, a new report from Population Action International (PAI), provides valuable new insights into the programs and investments that can make countries "healthier" -- more stable and peaceful, more democratic, and better able to provide for the needs of their citizens.
About Population Action International
April 2, 2007
Population Action International (PAI) is an independent policy advocacy group working to strengthen political and financial support worldwide for population programs grounded in individual rights. Founded in 1965, PAI is a private, non-profit group and accepts no government funds.
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