Parliamentarians’ Increased Role Essential for the Prevention of HIV/AIDS-Related Situations

The conference brought together a total of one hundred and seventy-six participants with over fifty leaders from Australia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Fiji, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam and seventy-four leaders from all over India. Also among the participants were special guests and representatives from various UN agencies, NGOs, embassies and civil society organisations. Speakers at the conference included Dr. Sujatha Samarakoon, Expert, Sri Lanka; Ms. Sonam Yangehan Rana, UNDP; Ms. Emelia Timpo, Regional Representative, UNAIDS; Mr. Deepak Gupta, International Development Consultant; and Mr. Peter Heywood, World Bank.

Serious Challenges for HIV/AIDS Prevention in South Asia

Organised by the Indian Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (IAPPD) and AFPPD, and co-sponsored by UNFPA, UNAIDS, the Ministry of health and Family Welfare, and the Government of India, the conference enabled participants to share best practices and results of lessons learnt as well as expedite dialogue on policy concerns bearing regional implications vis-à-vis HIV/AIDS. The conference’s deliberations focused predominantly on the HIV/AIDS challenge in South Asia, responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, expanding partnerships,enhancing political commitment to combat HIV/AIDS, and the development of effective HIV policies.

Other issues that were discussed included the need to review relevant laws and statutes with a view to eliminate those sections discriminating AIDS victims. An important issue debated at length was the perceived role of parliamentarians with regards to their electorates and constituencies vis-à-vis HIV-related matters. The demographic impact of HIV/AIDS and socio-economic implications were also discussed in detail. In this context, participants felt that there was an urgency to outline a roadmap regarding these implications as they relate to the resource mobilisation necessary for tackling HIV/AIDS- related problems.

Participants were welcomed by Dr. S. S. Sisodia, Chairman of IAPPD and the conference was formally inaugurated by Hon. Mr. Manohar Joshi, Lok Sabha, Speaker of the Lower House, India. Mr. Yoshio Yatsu MP Japan and Chairman of AFPPD delivered the keynote address. Speeches were also made by Dr. Suman Mehta, Global HIV/AIDS Coordinator, UNFPA; Mr. Shivraj Patil MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Lower House, India; Dr. Vallabhbhai Kathiria, Minister of State for HRD, Convener, HIV/AIDS Division, IAPPD; and Mr. Lakshman Singh MP India and Vice-Chair of AFPPD.

HIV/AIDS - Catastrophe in Slow Motion

“No other disease in recent times has generated as much public concern as the HIV/AIDS epidemic,” Hon. Joshi continued. “The moot questions confronting all of us are; Why? Where does the fault lie?; What are the gaps?; What more do we need to do?; and how do we overcome our failures and drawbacks?”

Finally, Hon. Joshi appealed to the parliamentarians to fight against the stigma, discrimination and exclusion that is associated with HIV/AIDS. He said that parliamentarians have a central role in forging partnerships at the national, regional and global levels for HIV-related health work in a meaningful way.

Political Will Crucial to Fight HIV/AIDS 

Mr. Yoshio Yatsu MP Japan began his presentation by emphasising that political will is crucial to fight stigma and discrimination associated with AIDS victims, and that the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS across Asia requires immediate and effective responses. “As politicians we must come out openly on social issues such as safe sex and the use of condoms, and campaign on issues such as literacy, the empowerment of women, and stabilisation of the population.”

“The Asian region has populations that are unable to take care of themselves, and their governments are unable to take care of them because the population size and resources available do not correlate. If we are to provide proper care and treatment to not only HIV-infected persons, but those afflicted with other illnesses too, then we must ensure our populations reflect the resources available in our countries.”

Strategies to Address Risk Areas Vital 

Dr. Suman Mehta, Global HIV/AIDS Coordinator, UNFPA reiterated that leadership and commitment are crucial factors to ensuring success of HIV/AIDS programmes and interventions. Discussing the role of advocacy for elected representatives in the prevention of HIV/AIDS, Dr. Mehta elaborated on the role and responsibilities of concerned institutional structures in political governance. She warned participants that the need to discuss modalities for legislating, promoting, and fostering policies in fighting HIV/AIDS is urgent. Dr. Mehta expressed concern over the large amount of persons affected with HIV across Asia and participants agreed with her that a strategy to address risk areas perpetuating the problem in the region must be developed.

Dr. Vallabhbhai Kathiria Minister of State for HRD, India and Mr. Shivraj Patil MP and Deputy Leader of the Opposition, India, both highlighted the need for enhanced political commitment for HIV/AIDS care, treatment and prevention in their speeches. Mr. Lakshman Singh MP India and Vice-Chair of AFPPD gave the vote of thanks.

Apply Lessons Learnt 

Chaired by Hon. Taranath Ranabhat, the Speaker of the Nepalese National Assembly, the first session was dedicated to three speakers. Dr. Suman Mehta, Global HIV/AIDS Coordinator from UNFPA spoke in depth on HIV on a global scale and explained possible solutions to HIV-related problems in the Asia Pacific region through the application of lessons already learnt. “AIDS poses a serious threat and impacts on all sectors - development, production and social - and the epidemic in the Asia and Pacific region is continuing to grow and spread,” she informed participants. “A strong, multi-sectoral response backed by political leadership at the highest level is essential for a successful response to HIV/AIDS as well as ensuring adequate resources to sustain intensive and far-reaching prevention programmes.”

Ms. Emelia Timpo

The challenges the region is facing concerning HIV were presented by Dr. Emelia Timpo, Team Leader from SAICT /UNAIDS. She said that even though the Asia Pacific is home to some of the world’s most notable HIV prevention successes, the region also faces the potential for a serious worsening in the HIV/AIDS situation. She clarified that among the dilemmas facing the region, two frequently surface: the unwillingness of governments and official agencies to deal with thorny issues such as injecting drug use or high sex partner exchange rates - both of which are two major modes for potential HIV transmission: and lack of resources and underfunding of HIV programmes. Mrs. Meenakshi Datta Ghosh, Secretary and Project Director, NACO, Government of India discussed the aspects of HIV/AIDS in India. She said “With an estimated 3.82 to 4.58 million people living with HIV in India by the end of 2002, India accounts for 10% of the global HIV/AIDS burden and 65% of it in South and South East Asia.” She spoke on the Indian Government’s efforts to address to HIV/AIDS and highlighted some of the progress made.

These accounts were followed by the presentation of country reports on the HIV epidemic delivered by country representatives from South Asia.

Women More Vulnerable to HIV/AIDS than Men 

L. to R: Ms. Sonam Yangehan Rana - Dr. Anne Vincent - Mr. A.R. Nanda - Dr. Samarjit Jana

Thematic partners was the title of the following session with Dr. Anne Vincent from UNICEF and Dr. Samarjit Jana, Coordinator, CARE Bangladesh, talking on the topic of women and childrens’ vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. The session was chaired by Mr. P. M. Sayed, the Deputy Speaker of the Lower House, India. Women are biologically more vulnerable to HIV infection then men and they also have much less control over their lives and bodies in many parts of the region and so can do much less to protect themselves against infection explained Dr. Vincent and Dr. Samarjit. Additionally, women tend to acquire HIV at a younger age and an increasing number of women are becoming infected by their male partners who are IDUs or visit commercial sex workers. Turning to the subject of children and their vulnerability, it was revealed that one quarter of children born to an HIV-infected woman will contract the disease themselves. Children whose parents are affected by HIV/AIDS ultimately face an array of obstacles including being orphaned, poverty, discrimination, changing family structures, abandonment, forced into dangerous or exploitative work putting their education, development and very survival at risk the speakers concluded.

Mr. A. R. Nanda, Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India provided information on reproductive health and children’s health (RCH) with regards to HIV/AIDS.

Population Movement Significant Factor in the Spread of HIV

L. to R: Chair of the session - Dr. Peter Heywood - Dr. Prasanta Mahapatra

Ms. Sonam Yangehan Rana from UNDP addressed mobility and HIV in the region. Population movement is a significant factor in relation to the spread of HIV/AIDS. She explained that experience with HIV prevention among mobile populations has revealed that HIV/STI prevention is not the first concern among these populations. They are much more concerned with livelihood and survival. Therefore, programmes should combine a range of actions complementary to these populations’ needs. As these populations are frequently marginalised, prevention programmes must also incorporate resources on protecting the human rights of mobile populations through specific actions and focus on advocating policy changes in host countries.

Dr. Prasanta Mahapatra , Director of the Institute of Health Systems, India, Dr. Abusaleh Shariff, Chief Economist of the National Council of Allied Economic Research, and Dr. Peter Heywood, Principal Public Health Specialist, World Bank all spoke on the economic implications of HIV/AIDS.

Following the third session, a panel discussion on advocacy for care, support and prevention of HIV/AIDS was held. Speakers included Dr. Francois M. Farah, UNFPA, Mr. Navin, DNP+ and Dr. Geeta Kataria, MP India.

L. to R: Dr. Francois Farah - Ms. Kelly Hoare MP, Chair of the Session - Dr. Geeta Kataria - Mr. Navin	L. to R Dr. Sujatha Samarakoon - Sen. Malinee Sukavejworakit

The final substantive session focused upon the way forward viz HIV/AIDS and the role that parliamentarians can play. Speakers included Begum (Mrs.) Khursheed Jahan Haque, Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs, Bangladesh, Sen. Malinee Sukavejworakit, Secretary General AFPPD, Dr. Gunansagaran Gounder, MP Fiji, Dato’ Napsiah Binti Omar, MP Malaysia and Treasurer of AFPPD, Dr. Sujatha Samarakoon, Sri Lanka and Mr. Deepak Gupta, UNAIDS. The speakers told participants that parliamentarians, as elected representatives of the people, can play a key role in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Members of Parliament are in a unique position to influence public opinion and, therefore, should speak out boldly within communities, political parties and constituencies about the dangers of HIV, devoting  attention to the topic in all public speeches. The empowerment of communities and community mobilisation should be considered as the central keys to developing coherent HIV/AIDS response initiatives. Creating awareness of the virus is paramount and this should be addressed at all levels of education. Parliamentarians themselves need also to be made more aware of HIV/AIDS, and this can be achieved through the organisation of special seminars, conferences and workshops.

The meeting concluded with a valedictory session with speeches from Mr. Yoshio Yatsu MP Japan and Chair of AFPPD, Dr. S. S. Sisodia, IAPPD Chairman, Mr. Lakshman Singh MP India and Vice-Chair of AFPPD, Dr. Vallabhbhai Kathiria, Minister of State for HRD India and Mr. Bill Musoke, Deputy Director of UNFPA/APD.

	L. to R: Mr. Yoshio Yatsu MP - Dr. S.S. Sisodia - Mr. Lkshamn Singh MP - Mr. Bill Musoke, Deputy Director of UNFPA/APD
L. to R: Dr. Gunansagaran Gounder - Mr. Deepak Gupta - Dato’ Napsiah Binti Omar
	Mr. Subhash Gupta	Begum Khursheed Jahan Haque

Mr. Subhash Gupta, Director of the Division of Management Services, UNFPA in New York, also attended and was honoured at the conference.

The UN House in Aoyama, Tokyo was the venue for the ‘High Level Policy-Makers’ Symposium on South-to-South Collaboration, Poverty and HIV/AIDS. Taking place on the 3rd to the 5th of September, this important meeting was attended by ministers, parliamentarians, various international organisations, government representatives, civil society groups, and two UN Under-Secretaries. It was organised by Population 2050, UNDP and Partners in Population and Development with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, JOICFP, UNFPA, UNAIDS, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan and AFPPD.

AFPPD sponsored five parliamentarians to attend the symposium; Hon. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau Speaker of Fiji Parliament and Vice-Chair of AFPPD, Hon. Abdolreza Heidarizadi MP Iran, Hon. Senator Datuk Dr. Haji Haris Bin Haji Salleh, Malaysia, Dr. Prasan Mongkonsiri MP Thailand, and Mr. Sanan Suthakun MP Thailand. Mr. Shiv Khare, Executive Director of AFPPD, was also present.

The symposium was opened By Ms. Chieko Nohno and keynote addresses were delivered by Dr. Nafis Sadik, UN Under-Secretary General and Special Envoy of the Secretary General for HIV/AIDS in Asia, and by Mr. Kazuo Kodama, Deputy Director General, Economic Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan.

‘Women’s Empowerment and MDGs’ was among the first topics to be addressed. A presentation was given by Amb. A. Chowdhury, UN Under-Secretary General and High Representative of the Secretary General for LDCs. Ms. Mia Xia, Vice-President and Secretary General of the China Population Welfare Foundation, and Ms. Aster Zaounde, Senior Advisor, Gender and Develop-ment, UNDP also spoke. It was chaired by Ms. Yumiko Tanaka from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency.

Dr. Prasan Mongkonsiri MP Thailand spoke extensively on the impact of HIV/AIDS on poverty alleviation as did Prof. Zeng Guang, MD of the China Center for Disease Control and Mr. Md. Fazlur Rahman, Director General, Directorate of Family Planning, Bangladesh. The session was chaired by Prof. M. Tarui, Keio University, Japan and Mr. Jyoti Singh, President of Population 2005 was the discussant.

A major highlight of the symposium, ‘Enhancing Political Leadership for Accelerated Responses in Asia’ was a session, which was chaired by Hon. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Speaker of Fiji Parliament. In her presentation, Dr. Nafis Sadik, UN Under-Secretary General and Special Envoy of the Secretary General for HIV/AIDS in Asia, provided background information on political commitment and explained how it can greatly assist in the prevention, care and treatment of HIV/AIDS as well as enhance resource mobilisation. This was followed by presentations from Mr. Louis Ponzio, Deputy Coordinator, Mali National AIDS Programme and Dr. Jotham Musinguzi, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Uganda, who both gave information on the political leadership roles in their countries. Dr. Jotham pointed out that Hon. Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda, was one of the first to take the initiative to fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa as well as come out and openly mobilise all related departments. Lastly, Dr. Yoshiko Saito, Fund Portfolio Director for East and South East Asia and Oceania, Global Fund To Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, explained in depth how the Global Fund is making a difference in the fight against AIDS. Mr. Shiv Khare, AFPPD Executive Director, gave a presentation on AFPPD’s efforts in enhancing political commitment for HIV/AIDS.

UNDP Japan Representative, Ms. Akiko Yuge, chaired the session on HIV/AIDS and how it affects human security. A presentation was given by Dr. Haji Haris Salleh, a senator from Malaysia, Ms. Hiroko Yamamoto, Deputy Director, Research and Programming Division, Economic Cooperation Bureau, MOFA, Japan, Ms. Pok Panhavichetr, Executive Director, Khmer HIV/AIDS NGO Alliance and Ms. Jennifer Nugent, Planning Officer, PDA, Thailand.

Chaired by Mr. Akiyoshi Tanaka, World Association of Former UN Interns and Fellows (WAFUNIF) Goodwill Ambassador, Japan, this session focused on youth as a vulnerable group and highlighted the urgent attention this group requires. Mr. Samuel Koo, UNICEF Representative, Japan, Dr. Giri Giridhar, Director of UNFPA/CST Bangkok, Dr. Kunio Kitamura, Director of the Family Planning Association , Japan and Mr. Masayoshi Yanagida, Secretary General of U-com, Japan all spoke on the issue.

The final session examined sustainable cooperation and cooperation within and between regions through South-South modality. Presentations were given by Mr. Takao Kawakami, President of JICA, Mr.Yoshihiko Kono, Senior Executive Director, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, and Mr. Adama Diarra, Director, National Solidarity Fund, Mali. The session was chaired by Mr. Timothee Gandaho, Executive Director of Partners in Population and Development.

Organised by the Japan Organisation for International Cooperation on Family Planning (JOICFP) in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation (JICA), the Nghe An project, which was implemented in order to improve women’s reproductive health, has been promoted through the active participation of people at the grassroots, effectively using community networks such as those of the Women’s Union (WU).

The group visited the Hung Tan Commune Health Center (CHC) in Hung Nguyen district. The parliamentarians asked many questions on the health conditions of pregnant women, conditions of the CHC where pregnant women are encouraged to deliver, the availability of safe water, the abortion situation and RH education for young people. Close observations were made of the CHC facility, equipment and IEC materials provided by the project as well as new sanitary facilities constructed with support from the ‘Grant Assistance for Grassroots Project.’

Valuable Experiences Exchanged 

An important aim of the workshop, apart from offering generic administrative and management skills, was to ensure participating countries realise that accountability and sustainability are high on AFPPD’s agenda. The training itself was broken down into four substantive sessions, each of which was interactive in nature.

The training was inaugurated by Senator Malinee Sukavejworakit, Secretary General of AFPPD, with remarks given by Mr. G. Giridhar, UNFPA/CST Director and Mr. Shiv Khare, Executive Director of AFPPD. During her speech, Senator Malinee said “Today the AFPPD is taking yet another step in pushing parliamentarian advocacy to a professional level. AFPPD, in the last few years, has been trying very hard to develop its national parliamentarian committees so that they do not only conduct advocacy programmes, but are also able to guide parliamentarians on population and development-related issues as well as instil confidence and encourage parliamentarians to seek advice from them.

This training course is of significant value. It will empower you, provide you with essential planning and implementation techniques, and enhance your ability to better evaluate the progress made. Incorporating these elements into your working methods will make advocacy and other programmes more effective, resulting in a much greater impact.

Quite a few good results have already been achieved, but these are not adequate. It is imperative to work in such a manner that most of the members of parliament are at least informed on population problems and their relationship with other issues such as poverty, security, water, environment, status of women and HIV/AIDS. You also have to counter argue that sustainable development is impossible if current population growth trends continue. It is your passion and dedication that will bring about results and this training will be beneficial to you.”

In his remarks, Mr. G. Giridhar, UNFPA/CST Director emphasized that there is a distinction between training and learning. “Training is a one-way activity and learning is a two way process and this activity should be seen as learning experience and not a training session,” he said. He also told participants that the workshop provided not only an opportunity to learn from the facilitator, but to learn from each other.

The workshop orientation was presented by Mr. Francisco Roque, former Advisor on ARH and Education with UNFPA/CST, Ms. Pia Laine, JPO, UNFPA/CST, and Ms. Lilibelle Austriaco, AFPPD Programme Associate. The orientation entailed an explanation of the training, its objectives and expectations, a detailed account of the main workshop exercise ‘Bambooland and Mangoland – case studies.’

‘Overview of Advocacy’ was the title of the ensuing session, where emphasis was placed on developing a successful advocacy strategy. In order to do this one must first identify what differentiates advocacy from other communication interventions, understand the underlying concepts and elements of advocacy as well as ensure that the advocacy strategy is in accordance with issues and objectives. The ability to accurately plan an advocacy strategy is essential, and the session also devoted much time to the concept of results-based management (RBM) and the application of logistical frameworks in advocacy planning. Five resource persons spoke extensively on this subject. Mr. G. Giridhar and Dr. Chaiyos Kunanusont introduced the utilisation of RBM and logistical framework in advocacy as well as how to grasp and comprehend problem analysis and hierarchy of results. Finally, Dr. Chaiyos Kunanusont and Ms. Mere Kisekka both elaborated on elements of a log-frame matrix, why stakeholder analysis is so important, assumption analysis, how to measure results, formulating effective log-frame indicators (OVIs and MOVs), and how to plan an intervention. Ms. Pia Laine went in depth on concept, scope and the elements of advocacy as well as defining various communication interventions used in advocacy while Mr. Francisco Roque broached issues and objectives.

Message design and media format, approaches taken and choices available to advocates are all integral parts of sound strategy design. With expert advice from Mr. Francisco Roque and Ms. Pia Laine, the third session highlighted these crucial elements. Topics addressed included audience analysis, the correct way to convey messages through appropriate design and packaging as well as media channels available and media selection.

The fourth and final session revolved around management, monitoring and assessment of project implementation. Participants learnt how to develop an action plan, recognise the importance of network and coalition building during implementation of plans as well as how to monitor and assess plans through the use of indicators. An important feature of the session, through case studies and working groups, was the application of lessons already learnt in the development of an advocacy plan. Dr. Chaiyos Kunanusont, Mr. Francisco Roque and Mr. Shiv Khare facilitated the session.

The closing ceremony was addressed by Prof. Prasop Ratanakorn, who also presented training participants with certificates to commemorate their hard work and dedication to the workshop. The workshop’s evaluation was then presented by Dr. Chaiyos Kunanusont and remarks given by Mr.G.Giridhar and Mr. Shiv Khare followed.

With the goal of obtaining first hand knowledge about the South African and Zambian HIV/AIDS situation, sustainable water supply systems and public health programmes, Mr. Hiroyuki Nagahama MP and Mr. Takahiro Kuroiwa MP, members of the Japanese Parliamentarians Federation for Popualtion (JPFP) visited both countries on the 9th and 17th of August.

Among the many places they visited were counselling centers, HIV/AIDS hospices, care centers, university hospitals, water treatment plants and poor regions where Japanese support programmes have been implemented. Meeting with local staff also provided them with the opportunity to ask poignant questions about HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and problems arising from the disease.

Sound Policies Crucial

Mr. Nagahama MP and Mr. Kuroiwa MP also met the South African and Zambian Ministers of Health and parliamentarians belonging to social development groups enabling them to discuss country policies on HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, public health and education.

Lusaka was the first port of call for the parliamentarians, and it was here that they visited the George Compound, a very poor area of Lusaka city. This was followed by a morning meeting with Hon. Dr. Brian Mateta Chituwo, the Zambian Minister of Health and an invitation to attend the opening session of a workshop, ‘The Advocacy and Fund-Raising Training (11th to the 14th of August)’ organised by the Forum of African and Arab Parliamentarians on Population and Development (FAAPPD) in cooperation with the Japan Trust Fund (JTF) and UNFPA. Mr. Nagahama MP and Mr. Kuroiwa MP and they spoke with UNFPA Zambia Representative Ms. Margaret O’Callaghan. A lunch meeting was held for the Japanese parliamentarians where they met with Zambian parliamentarians all of whom were members of the Zambian Committee in Population and Development. Other activities included visits to Kara Counselling and the Jon Hospice - NGOs providing HIV/AIDS counselling and testing services - the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and a visit to the Parliament House to attend a welcome reception on the invitation of the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia.

During their time in South Africa, the Japanese parliamentarians had the opportunity to visit various organisations including the St. Francis Care Center, the Mohau Center, which takes in and cares for abandoned and orphaned HIV+ children, and the Etafini Day Care Center. They also met with Ms. Mantombazaba Edmie Tshabalala, the Minister of Health for South Africa and Mr. Ebrahim Saloojee MP and Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee of Social Development, both of whom have participated in AFPPD events.

Quick Facts

Worrying Fertility Rate in the Philippines

The national fertility rate in the Philippines is around five and up to nine in some areas, with the total Filipino population set to double by 2029. Therefore, the aim of the study visit was to enable the participating parliamentarians to observe reproductive health, population, development and environment projects as well as speak with Filipino senators, representatives, governors, mayors and barangay (village) captains not only in Manila, but also in the provinces of Leyte, Cebu, Iloilo and Guimaras.

Locals Determined to Make a Difference 

The delegation first visited a reproductive health service, known as Likhaan, located in an urban poor neighbourhood in Malabon City, Metro Manila. They were impressed with the work being conducted in the area and the determination of the people to rectify their situation. Mr. Harry Quick MP said, “I ended up ankle deep in mud, but I saw clearly that despite their abject poverty, the people are determined to change things themselves.”

The next venues for visitation were the provinces of Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo. Here, the delegation witnessed organisations and communities working to combat the effects of rapid population growth and environmental degradation through the provision of RH services, microcredit projects, reforestation, replanting of mangrove to curb declining fish stocks, HIV/AIDS education and information, and youth support. The parliamentarians expressed high praise for those leaders – particularly in the towns of Concepcion and Ajuy in Iloilo province – who are working in very effective partnerships to create sustainable communities through projects that aim to integrate RH and family planning concerns with environmental degradation and resource allocation.

The partnerships formed between NGOs, local government units (LGUs) and the community working to meet the Philippines’s population and development commitments as set out in the ICPD PoA were strongly supported by the delegation. In fact so inspired were they, that they issued a statement on the reproductive health situation in the country.

Australian Government Should Provide Condoms 

“We are pleased to see how the Philippines, particularly at the local level, is addressing the serious challenges in population growth and development issues, and the group is committed to supporting, cooperating and collaborating at all levels to make further advances in these areas,” the statement begins.

“Australian aid must be more appropriately targeted through NGOs and LGUs which have been so successful in addressing the challenges of population, development, reproductive health and the environment.”

“We support the right of Filipino women to be better educated on issues of reproductive health and for them to be fully involved in decisions on these issues. We encourage the Philippine Government to continue to promote and support reproductive health and population issues with appropriate legislative measures.”

Members reviewed AFPPD’s progress and approved ICPD+10-focused programmes, which will provide support to parliamentarian programmes effectively for the next three years.

Highlights of the meeting included the confirmation of Dr. Sang Guowei MP, who is replacing Mr. Zhang Huaixi MP, as new Vice-Chairman from China. Iran, the Solomon Islands and Laos/PDR were accepted as new members of AFPPD, and Pakistan’s membership was also revived. Finally, AFPPD’s database of parliamentarians’ participation in AFPPD meetings was introduced to members. 

President Bush’s decision to cut funding to UNFPA under the auspices that the money leads to coercive forced abortions and sterilisations in some countries resulted in widespread outrage.

Jordan’s new parliament has rejected two proposals giving women more rights because, some deputies say, they contradict Islamic teachings. While parliament was dormant in 2001, the government amended the two bills to allow women to file for divorce and to give the courts leeway to impose harsh punishment on what has become known as honour killings – men who kill women who are perceived to have shamed family honour.

On the 23rd of July, Iran’s reformist-dominated parliament voted to join the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Before it can become law, however, the decision must first be endorsed by the unelected fundamentalist-dominated Guardian Council.