| POPULATION ACTIVITIES IN
1994-1995, EXAMINATION OF THE APPROVED PROGRAMME OF WORK FOR 1996-1997 AND CONSIDERATION
OF THE DRAFT WORK PROGRAMME FOR 1998-1999 ************************************************************************ The electronic version of this document is being made available by the Population Information Network (POPIN) of the United Nations Population Division (DESIPA), in collaboration with the Economic Commission for Africa Population Division and the Pan African Development Information System (PADIS). For further information, please contact the Director of the UNECA Population Division via email at: bahri.uneca@un.org ************************************************************************** E/ECA/PSPI.9/8 (Agenda Item 11) Ninth Session of the Conference of African Planners, Statisticians, and Population and Information Specialists Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 11-16 March 1996 POPULATION ACTIVITIES IN 1994-1995, EXAMINATION OF THE APPROVED PROGRAMME OF WORK FOR 1996-1997 AND CONSIDERATION OF THE DRAFT WORK PROGRAMME FOR 1998-1999 I. INTRODUCTION 1. During the period under review, the secretariat implemented the 1994-1995 work programme and submitted to the legislative organs a proposed programme for 1996-1997, which was considered by the nineteeth session of the ECA Conference of Ministers and adopted by the Fiftieth session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. It is worth recalling that the 1996-1997 draft work programme had been submitted to the eighth session of this Conference in March 1994 and that some discussion had taken place on the opportunity given to reflect the needs of the member States in the 1996-1997 programme. 2. The Medium Term Plan (MTP) 1992-1997 was approved by the Forty Fifth Session of the General Assembly in 1990. Subsequently, the Conference of Ministers adopted the proposed work programme and priorities for the 1996-1997 biennium, as third and last package within the Medium-Term Plan, after it had been prepared by the secretariat according to the new instructions received from the Secretary General with the view to show clarity, as requested by member States. 3. The consolidation of related activities in more comprehensive and fewer subprogrammes constitutes one important feature in the new United Nations budgeting system. Thus, Population was then subsumed under a new Subprogramme called Poverty Alleviation through Sustainable Development, that covers also Environment, Human Settlements, Agriculture and Rural Development. The linkages and relationships between food and agriculture, population, environment and human settlements are critical to Africa's development. Hence the objectives of the Subprogramme included increased awareness and efforts to design appropriate policies in food production and distribution, rural development and transformation, population growth and distribution, urbanisation and population movements, environment management, etc. 4. This report outlines the implementation of activities of the Secretariat in the field of population during the 1994-1995 biennium. It presents the approved work programme for 1996-1997 and the 1998-1999 draft outline for review, in the framework of overall orientation given to it by the legislative organs, with reference, in particular, to the Kilimanjaro Programme of Action (KPA), the Dakar/Ngor Declaration on Population, the Family and sustainable development, the Plan of Action of the International conference on Population and Development (Cairo 1994). 5.The attention of this Session is drawn to the responsibility of the Joint conference of African Planners, Statisticians, Demographers and Information Scientists, as a subsidiary organ of the Commission to debate other needs and priorities, as they may reflect the views of Member States. 6. During the 1994-1995 period, the member States continued the implementation of the structural adjustment programmes. The concerns regarding the restructuring of the economies and the setting of new organizational rules regarding the decision making process left almost no room for considering long term issues, but witnessed a higher involvement of governments in population questions, which gained more interest among policy makers, as a result, in particular, of growing awareness of population issues and their interrelationships with development. This coincided with the intensification of the preparatory work and the holding of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD, Cairo, September 1994). 7. These developments were accompanied by shifts in the perception of population problems among african governments from 'laisser faire' to involvement. Hence the services these may expect from technical assistance institutions assistance had to adjust to new requirements. II. Implementation of the 1994-1995 work programme 8. The 1994-1995 work programme continued to address population issues, in line with the needs of Member states, as expressed in the Kilimanjaro Programme of Action for African Population and Self-Reliant Development, the fourth United Nations Strategy for Development, the Dakar/Ngor Declaration and the Plan of Action of ICPD. The areas covered by the programme of work included problems of population redistribution, population policies and planning, regional training. In addition, research on population dynamics, the integration of population factors into national development planning and policies, population information and dissemination activities continued to form an important component of the work programme. 9. Specifically, it dealt with issues aiming at facilitating the integration of population factors into socio-economic development planning in the region; assisting in formulating and implementing relevant family planning and population programmes and policies; in establishing or strengthening national population information systems; in analyzing and utilizing demographic data, as well as in training of related personnel. Moreover, research studies were undertaken on family planning and birth spacing programmes, fertility, mortality, population distribution and urbanization. 10. The implementation of the programme resulted in some interesting findings as highlighted below. A. Parliamentary Services 10. a) Six reports were presented to the Eighth Session of the Joint Conference of African Planners, Statisticians and Demographers, which was held in Addis Ababa in March 1994. These are: i) implementation of the Kilimanjaro Programme of Action and prospects for sustainable development in ECA member States;* ii) comparative study on family planning and birth spacing programmes in ECA member States;* iii) demographic and social ageing in ECA member States;* iv) socio economic and demographic consequences of HIV/AIDS and other pandemic in ECA member States; v) Population activities in 1992-1993, examination of the approved programme of work for 1994-1995 and consideration of the draft work programme for 1996-1997; vi) preparations for the 1994 International conference on Population and Development: the African Common Position (1994); b) report to the Conference of Ministers responsible for Economic and social Development, on follow up activities for the International conference on Population and Development (1994) b) . Published Materials The Population Division published the following materials: 1. Recurrent Publications: i) African Population Newsletter No. 65 (Jan.-June 1994) -preparatory activities for ICPD 1994. No. 66 (July.- Dec.1994) No. 67 (Jan. June 1995) No 68 ( July.- Dec.1995) Publishes articles and other news information on population issues, and serves as a status report on population-related activities in Africa. It is published twice a year in both English and French. During the period under review, the following issues were published: ii) African Population Studies Series number 12 was published in 1994. The Series present results of research carried out by the Secretariat of ECA, or on its behalf by consultants. It is published in English and is addressed to a specialized audience of researchers and academics. The present issue dealt exclusively on the integration of population factors in human resources development, with particular reference to educational sector planning. 2. Non-recurrent publications: The following were finalized: i). Implications of population age structure on resource utilization and social security in relation to poverty alleviation in ECA member States[ECA/POP/TP/94/3(b)/1] The study reviewed attitudes and perceptions of African Governments relating to certain demographic factors as they pertain to socio-economic development programmes within the context of scarce resources; assessed the status of social security schemes in relation to population age structure and demographic dynamics alongside the implications of population age structure on employment opportunities and food resources. ii) an evaluation of existing infrastructural arrangements for integrating population variables in development planning of ECA member States [ECA/POP/TP/95/3(b)/2] A compendium of information on institutional arrangements provides a useful data base for the process of integrating population factors in development plans. It also provides an enabling environment for a member state, through periodic adjustments (based on other experiences), to evolve a self- sustaining structure for managing its national population programme. The Report evaluates existing institutional arrangements that have been established to foster the development of National Population Programmes (NPP) within ECA member states. The information was compiled by the ECA through (i) direct correspondence with the member states; (ii) available Programme Review and Strategy Development (PRSD) Reports by UNFPA; (iii) National Reports prepared for the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD); and, (iv) mission reports undertaken (by ECA) to selected member states to hold discussions and exchange ideasaswell as documentation, on this aspect of the IPDP process. The analysis of the information reveals that the institutional structures fall into the three broad groups of those for formulating a population policy; those for implementing the policy measures; and those for decentralizing the latter process from the national to the sub-national levels. Among other things, it is recommended that in order to foster effective integration, the institutions established should be based on clear criteria, specified terms of reference per component of the structure as well as the mode and mechanism of collaboration between the various components. iii) an assessment of achievements in mortality reduction targets of Health for All by the year 2000 in selected ECA member States [ECA/POP/TP/95/3(b)4] The purpose of the study was to assess capacity of countries to achieve global targets of health for all by the year 2000 among ECA member States. The study focused on countries in west Africa. The demographic estimates suggested that desired mortality levels will not attain the set targets of Health For All and not even targets recommended by the Dakar/Ngor Declaration in most of these countries. There are many factors contributing to slowing down of efforts to improve health conditions and thereby reduce mortality levels. Widespread poverty, fragile African economies, coupled with inadequate health policy formulation and implementation, misinterpretation of concept of the Primary Health Care strategy adapted for achieving global targets for Health for All by the year 2000, resurgence of preventable diseases with resistance to drugs and finally, emerging new diseases such as the human immunodeficiency virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) with no cure in the immediate future, are some of the factors impeding progress in achieving goals of health for all by the year 2000. iv) Patterns, causes and consequences for development planning of female migration in selected ECA member States [ECA/POP/TP/94/3(b0/2]; The study analyzed patterns, causes and consequences of female migration by presenting a global analysis and case studies of Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Recent information from population censuses and household surveys show increasing participation of females in internal and international migrations as well as their dominance in certain types of movements. It was found that sample surveys that enquired about the motivations of migrants ranked economic reasons high for the movements of male but marital reasons (to accompany or join husbands) for female migrants. v) population and sustainable development with particular reference to linkages among environment, urbanization and migration in ECA member States [..] The reports makes a review of the implementation of the Dakar/Ngor Declaration in the context of problem areas identified in the African Strategies for Agenda 21 relating to demographic change and population pressure. It first underlines the interrelations between population, environment and development in Africa and then gives a brief account of the population-development related activities undertaken by various African governments in response to challenges faced by the countries. The development of human resources and the reduction of the rate of population growth have been identified in the report as key factors of sustainable development of African countries. The constraints in the implementation of the Dakar/Ngor Declaration are also highlighted in the report and various recommendations have been made to African governments and international community to speed up the implementation of the Declaration. vi) Teenage pregnancy, its socio-economic and health consequences, and measures to reduce the magnitude of the problem with special emphasis on female drop-outs from school in member States [ECA/POP/TP/94/3(b)/3]; This comparative study on teenage pregnancy covers 23 African countries using data from the Demographic and Health Surveys. It analyses the levels, trends and determinants of adolescent fertility as well as its socio-economic and health consequences. The study reveals high prevalence of pregnancies to teenagers aged 15 to 19 in countries covered associated with early sexual exposure and low level of contraceptive use. Among the socio-economic consequences of teenage pregnancy documented in the study are the following: teenage drop-outs from school, health consequences (delivery complications, induced abortions, higher level of maternal mortality among pregnant adolescents, higher level of infant mortality among births to adolescents.) The study concludes with various recommendations to African Governments, NGOs an Donors aimed at reducing the magnitude of the problem. vii) statistical compendium on contraceptive prevalence and practice in ECA member States [ECA/POP/TP/95/3(b)/1]; This is an update of the 1990 version of the compendium. Among the highlights of the statistics include the following: there seem to be wide knowledge of contraceptive methods among women and men and yet actual use is very low in most countries; where data is available for two points in time or more, there is generally an increase in the trend on contraceptive use; most women use contraception after the attainment of wanted total fertility, which is generally above 5 children in most countries; there is limited communication among wives and husbands on family planning issues; existence of unmet need for family planing for both spacing and limiting of births; the majority of women not using contraception stated they did not intend to use contraception in the future; the most commonly stated reason for not intending to use contraception in the future was desire for more children. Some specific recommendations emanating from the statistics presented are given in the context of the implementation of the Dakar /Ngor Declaration. viii) family planning programme targets in relation to fertility reduction and reproductive health care in ECA member States [ ECA/POP/TP/94/3(b0)/4]. Most African countries have expressed great concern on the effects of high fertility, population growth and mortality on socio-economic development and on the well-being of their people. The study focuses on family planning programmes targeting in the context of reducing fertility and improving reproductive health care. An increasing number of African countries are currently implementing family planning programmes to complement socio-economic development in order to moderate their demographic trends and improve the socio- economic conditions of their populations. According to feedback from the end users, based on the information on the receipt of reports, studies and publications, the end users have indicated that the study is useful and relevant to their activities. C. Technical Material: The Division designed, set up and is maintaining a database for population policy, mortality and morbidity, fertility, population distribution/urbanization and family planning, using Paradox Software. However the delay in recruitment made it very difficult to update the data base. D. Operational activities: The Division provided advisory services to member States in population data collection, analysis and training through its advisors attached to the UNFPA Country Support Teams located in Harare (Zimbabwe), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), and Dakar (Senegal). Among the countries which benefitted from these services for the period under review were: Guinea Bissau which received technical and the analytical assistance on a training workshop on demographic analysis on the 1991 Population and Housing Census (15-28 October 1994); Namibia to which a regional advisor provided a backstopping mission on the mid- term review data collection and analysis on the 1991 Population and Housing Census (22 August to 9 September 1994); Sierra Leone which was assisted on review of chapters of analytical report of the 1985 Census (15 August to 7 September 1994); Ghana which was assisted in analysis of census and survey data (31 October to 25 November 1994); and Swaziland which received a data collection and analysis mission 18 October to 4 November 1994). E. Coordination, harmonization and liaison: The Division took part in two sessions of the ACC inter-agency working group meeting reviewing demographic estimates and projections; it also attended one meetings of the UNFPA inter-agency consultative meetings and one session of the Population Commission. Cooperation with OAU and ADB on Population matters - Regular consultation on technical issues of the African Population Commission on population policy monitoring - Consultation on follow-up and organization of the Workshop held in Abidjan, re-implementation of the Dakar/Ngor Declaration and the ICPD programme of action, 6-9 June 1995 . - Cooperation with IPPF and Pan Arab Project for Child Development (PAPCHILD) on demographic data collection and analysis (Beirut, Lebanon, 14-16 Feb. 1994). - Coordination with UNFPA on the International Conference on Population and Development: - Participated in preparatory meetings for ICPD.94 and the ICPD.94 in Cairo in Sept. 1994 that came out with a programme of Action - Assisted in the substantive servicing of a meeting on national population Commission (May 1994) - Participated in the meeting of the Inter-Agency Task Force on technical support services of UNFPA (New York, 12-16 December 1994) - Cooperation with the Population Commission on ICPD 1994: - Participated in the 27th session of the population commission on preparatory activities for ICPD 1994 and assisted African delegates in forming positions - Cooperation of ECE regarding studies on international migration between Europe and ECA member States - Cooperation with UN Headquarters in relation to meeting of the Population and Development Commission - Cooperation with UNFPA concerning Population programme in the region, in particular, regular contacts regarding operations of RIPS and IFORD through participation in the governing council meeting (Addis Ababa, 9-10 May 1995). - Participation in meetings of the IATF, CSTs and CEPD regarding policy and technical matters of population programmes in the region (New York, 21Feb - 3 March 1995) - Participation at the ACC Inter-agency subcommittee's work on population projects on (July 1994) F. Regional training It is to be recalled that the role of ECA as executing agency for UNFPA funding ceased with the change in the statutes of the two regional Institutes. However the Executive Secretary continues to chair the meeting of the Governing Councils and ECA is member of the Advisory Board. The Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS) in Accra, Ghana, continued with its training and research programme made up of the twelve-month Master of Arts (MA) Degree in Population Studies; the master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) Degree in Population Studies, all being academic degrees of the University of Ghana. The training and research activities of the Institute de Formation et de Recherche Dmographiques (IFORD) comprised formal training courses in demographic studies given during a two-year programme. Separate papers by the two Institutes provide more information on their activities and problems. IV. Work programme 1996-1997 The 1996-1997 work programme will address population issues in line with the needs of Member States, for example, as expressed in the Dakar/Ngor Declaration, the Programme of Action of ICPD 1994, UN-NADAF and Agenda 21. Specifically, the following areas will be covered: facilitating the integration of population factors into socio- economic development planning; provision of assistance in formulating and implementing relevant population programmes and policies as well as in establishing or strengthening national information systems and in analyzing and utilizing demographic data as well as in training of related personnel. Moreover, studies, research and/or training workshops and seminars will be undertaken on the perceptions and evaluation of family planning and birth spacing programmes, fertility, mortality, population distribution, urbanization, the role and status of women and population and environment, and the implementation of the Dakar/Ngor Declaration and the Programme of Action of ICPD 1994 3. Activities 1. International Cooperation e. Liaison with RIPS, IFORD and other subregional institutions and NGOs in the development and implementation of programmes on African population network. 2. Parliamentary Services 2(a) Parliamentary documentation Reports to the ninth session of the Joint Conference of African Planners, Statisticians, Population and Information Specialists (first quarter, 1996). i) Progress Report on the implementation of the Dakar/Ngor Declaration and ICPD 1994's Programme of Action in ECA member States. ii) A study of perceptions on family planning in the context of socio-economic and cultural values in selected ECA Member States; iii) An assessment of problems and policies associated with the urban environment in ECA Member States; iv) Population activities in 1994-1995, review of 1996- 1997 work programme and consideration of the draft work programme for 1998/1999. 2(b) Report to ECA Council of Ministers (i) Report on population issues in ECA Member States (1996) 2(c) Substantive services i) Second meeting of the Follow-up Committee for the implementation of the Dakar/Ngor Declaration (fourth quarter, 1996). ii) Ad hoc expert group meeting to address measures pertaining to urban environmental health problems in ECA Member States (fourth quarter, 1997). 3. Published Material a) Recurrent publications i) Demographic Handbook for Africa, 1997 (fourth quarter, 1996); ii) African Population Newsletter (two issues, 1996, two issues, 1997); iii) African Population Studies Series (fourth quarter, 1996); b) Non-recurrent publications i) Implementation of the Dakar/Ngor Declaration and the Programme of Action of ICPD 1994 (fourth quarter, 1996); ii) Comparative study on management of family planning programmes in selected African countries (fourth quarter, 1997); iii) The urban environment and health in ECA Member States (second quarter, 1997); iv) Assessment of achievements in mortality reduction targets of "Health For All" by the year 2000 with reference to child and maternal mortality in ECA Member States (fourth quarter, 1996); v) Relationship between infant and child mortality, socio-economic factors and fertility in ECA Member States (fourth quarter, 1997). vi) Population and Conflict in ECA Member States (fourth quarter, 1997) 4. Operational Activities a) Advisory services Advisory missions to Member States on the implementation of population policies. b) Group training, including seminars, workshops and fellowships i) Workshop on the integration of population factors in the development process (1997); ii) Seminar on the patterns, causes and consequences of female migration in ECA member States (1997); iii) Workshop on adolescent fertility in Africa: measurement, causes, consequences and policy implications (1997). 5. Co-ordination, Harmonization and Liaison
i) Participation at ACC inter-agency working group meeting reviewing demographic estimates
and projections - on-going activity; ii) Attendance at meetings of the Governing Council,
UNFPA inter-agency consultative meetings, MULPOC and the Population Commission and other
agencies and organizations; V. Work Programme 1998-1999: Tentative Outline The Committee
may wish to suggest new priorities and activities that may derive from the needs of member
States in the aftermath of the important past conferences that were held recently, i.e the
International conference on Environment (Rio, 1992?), the International Conference on
Population and Development (Cairo, 1994), the Social Summit (Copenhagen,1995) the Beijing
Conference on Women (1995) and the forthcoming Istanbul Conference on Human Settlements
(1996). In suggesting priorities and activities, the Conference may wish to take note of
the progress so far achieved by member States in the knowledge of their population issues,
the availability of data, but also of the challenging objectives and recommendations set
in the different instruments adopted in international fora, particularly the Dakar/Ngor
Declaration on Population, the Family and sustainable Development. . |
Communication Team,
Economic Commission for Africa, P.O. Box 3001, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |