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Focus 1994 July - September English |
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Volume YlIL NO. 3:
July--5eptember, 1994
OF POPULATION
FOUNDATION
CONFLICT·AND CONTROVERSY GIVE WAY TO
CONSENSUS AT CAIRO
A midst fierce controversy reuoluing around orthodox religious sentiment the third U.N. International
Conference 011 Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo, Egypt from September 5 to
September 13, 1994 became tile focus of world attention as neuer before. Happily, days of haggling and
quibbling over words and phrases, elided ill a broad consensus underlining tile old maxim "All is Well that ends
Well."
Programme of Action
The Programme of Action the blueprint that emerged
from the Cairo Conference will set the guidelines for the
world's governments in the area of population issues for
the next 20 years, much as the Agenda 21 did after the
UN's Conference on Environment and Development
held at Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 1992.
"The chop-
ping
and
stitching of the
chapters in the
document weav-
ed a coat of many
colours", rernar-
ked Dr Na f is
Sadik, Secretary
Cerier al of the
ICPD
and
Executive Dire-
ctor of the
UNFPA. In her
attempts
to
Dr. Nafis Sadik
remind partici-
pating govern-
ments of their commitment to issues of population,
Dr Sadik urged on the last day of the Conference that
the Programme of Action shall not be seen in isolation,
but "as part of a global framework for sustained
development."
New Global Compact
Like a timely reminder, the Preamble of the
document stated: "The ICPD represents the last
opportunity in
the twentieth
I.
century for the
in tern a tiona I
community to
collectively
address
the
International
Conference on
Population and
Development
critical challen-
ges and inter-
relationships
ICPD '94
between popul-
ation and development. The legacy of the conference
will be measured by the strength of the specific
commitments made here, as part of a new global
compact among all the world's countries and peoples,
based on a shared responsibility for each other and our
planetary home."
The leadership of the Conference often pointed out
the revolutionary nature of the document on notions
related to gender equality and empowerment of women,
the role of the family reproductive rights, health and
family planning, unsafe abortions, and adolescent
sexuality.
Empowerment of Wl?men
Perhaps the most heartening aspect of the ICPD was
that for the first time ever, the debate focussed on
improving the status of women. ICPD recognised that
empowerment
of women - and as part of this,
reproductive choice - is the cornerstone of any
development. This would enable broader choices - about
careers, relationships, family size - so that women could
become true partners in development. As Dr. Fred Sai
who chaired the ICPD's Main Committee, said: "Behind
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Or F-red Sai
this document you should see
women who had no hope until now,
of controlling their own fertility.
This report has no value if it is not
Implemented."
UNFPA's Alex Marshall, who
has been associated with population
issues for the last two decades, made
this significant observation about the
Cairo Conference: "I think the main
difference between this conference
and the others is its inclusiveness. It
has really brought together every
interest group and every shade of
opinion from every part of the world
(about 150 countries participated in
the Conference) in a real way. The
world has changed, circumstances
have changed. and countries have
realised that they have to act in this
area. Back in 1974, people were
arguing about whether they should
be involved in population at all. The
fight here (in Cairo) is not about that;
it is about details of implementation
and how we can best do it. Countries
are interested in action, serious action
in very realistic ways."
Funding Levels : Partial
Agreement
Although during the Cairo
Conference, abortion occupied a front'
seat yet the ICPD was a lot more than
just 'abortion. Another issue that
gave rise to considerable debate was
funding. But for some quibbling
over phraseology,
the Main
Committee reached agreement on
funding levels for the Cairo
Programme of Action. These have used to be governments at U. .
been put at $17 billion by 2000, rising meetings. who made decisions that
to $ 21.7 billion by 2015. There was affected countries and peoples.
also consensus that donors would Now governments are being held
provide one-third of this amount. accountable by NGOs who have
However, the vexatious proposal lobbied successfully to put across
(the so-called 20/20 proposal) that their point of view. In the Cairo
20 per cent of all development
Conference the determined efforts
assistance be committed to social of the Women's Cacus gClve rich
spending, and that developing
dividends
by bringing
the
countries devote a similar level of empowerment of women centre-
their budgets to these sectors, failed stage. As the Conference carne to a
to find consensus. The proposal will close, the Governments and NGOs
now be considered at the World alike became more acutely aware of
Summit for Social Development in the tasks they committed themselves
Copenhagen next yeClf.
to on issues of population. sustained
NGOs to the Fore
economic growth and sustainable
development.
The 20-year-
The involvement of NGOs was Programme of Action represents
Clmong the. major achievements of a sign ifican t in te rn a ti on al
the Cairo Conference. Previously, it consensus.
_IIIIJIII"'~
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Demographic Trends in India
The INDIA Country Statement
(ICS) presented at the ICPD
'94 avers that India's annual
population growth rate is slowing,
and has further declined to 1.9 per
cent in 1992. Despite this, India's
population is likely to cross the 1
billion mark by 2001 AD and touch
1,082 million by 2006 AD.
The other encouraging news is
the decline in the total fertility rate
(TFR). As per the 1991 sample
registration survey (SRS), The TFR
has fallen to 3.6 from 4.5 in 1981 and
5.2 in 1972. Predictably, in urban
areas, the TFR declined to only 2.7 in
1991. The mean age at marriage has
increased to 19.5 years for females in
1991, from 18.3 years in 1981.
The demographic structure has
also changed; the proportion of those
aged less then 15 years has declined
from 42 per cent In 1971 to 37 per
cent in 1991.
The rcs points out that, as per
the census, annual growth ra tes
averaged 2.14 per cent for the period
1981-91. SRSs have subsequently
confirmed the falling trend, with the
latest survey (1992) showing that the
grovvth rate was only 1.Y per cent.
The 1992 survey shows a decline in
the crude birth rate to 29 pet
thousand. Surprisingly, it shows a
marginal increase in the crude death
rate to 10 per thousand, from an
earlier estimate of 9.R per thousand.
Despite this progress, the report
cautioned that India would achieve
a net reproduction rate (NRR) of 1
only between 2011 and 2016 AD, far
behind the targeted date of 2000
AD. A NRR of 1 (corresponding to
an annual growth rate of 1.2 prior to
the time when the population
stabilises) is considered a landmark,
for it shows that a couple produce
only two surviving children, that is,
two parents are replaced by two
children.
Year
l':l~l
1984
1':188
1992
KEY POPULATION INDICATORS
Crude Birth
Rate oj.)
Crude Death
Rate %
Growth
Rate %
Total Fertility
Rate (TFR)
,:)j.~
33.6
31.5
29.0
lLJ
Ll~
12.1
2.11
10.7
2.08
10.0
1.9
4.~
4.5
4.0
3.6 (1991)
PFI AT ICPD '94
:.:.:;:::::::;:::::::;::;:;: :::;:;:;;::::;:;:;:;:::;::::::;;;::
Indian Stand Finds acceptance at ICPD
Having maintained
a
deliberate and discreet
silence during the debate
on abortion, India made a strong
presence when the main committee
of the International Conference on
Population and Development (ICPD)
negotiating the draft programme of
action took up the crucial issues of
sustainable development and
resource mobilisation.
There was an air of satisfaction
in the Indian camp, eapecially among
the non-governmental organisations,
that the official delegation's forceful
interventions, on behalf of the G· 77
countries, had found acceptance
without a debate. The NGO
representatives were particularly
pleased that the Indian delegation
had assumed a leadership role and
ensured that matters which are of
vital importance to the country, like
empowerment of women and right
to development, had been effectively
articulated by Mr. V.K. Shunglu,
Secretary Department of Family
Welfare and Mr. K.S. Sugathan,
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health
and Family Welfare.
, In fact, not only was India able
to emphasise the G-77 position, but
it was also able to elicit support from
the U.S. and the European
Community (EU) on these issues.
There was also some belated
appreciation for the Indian strategy.
which was basically to steer clear of
the abortion controversy.
Another major achievement for
India was the full acceptance of the
clause 3.22 in chapter three which
calls for greater support from the
international
community
for
developing countries in poverty
eradication and promotion of an open,
equitable and non-discriminatory
international trading system.
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PFI's 5th World Population Day Lecture.
"Race between Population and Development"
Vas ant Sathe's call for Vigorous Political Will
Under its "Encounter-with-
Population-Crisis" lecture
series, the Population
Mr. Sathe was delivering the
annual lecture of the Population
Foundation of India on July 18, 1994.
planning devoid of a human
ideology will be meaningless.
Talking about the need for
Foundation of India (formerly He paid a glowing tribute to the resources, Mr. Sathe pointed out
Family planning Foundation)
memory of the PFI's Founder, Bharat that if India could lap its own
arranged its 5th annual lecture on Ratna, Mr. J.R.D. Tata, who had national resources by means of a
July 18, 1994 in conjunction with pioneered population action even rationalised system of taxation and
this year's observance of World before Independence. Dr. Bharat strategies
of
sustainable
Population Day on July 11. Mr. Ram, Chairman, PFI, presided over development, India would not need
Vas ant Sathe, a senior national the function.
much of the external assistance,
leader and an original thinker, was
Addressing a distinguished
which, in any case, was a 'conscience
invited to deliver the lecture on the gathering of demographers, social tranquiliser, used by the rich nations
theme:
scientists,
representatives
of who had monopolised bulk of the
"Race bet-
resources. Striking
ween Popula-tion
a note of warning
and
Develop-
about the explosive
ment."
possibilities of a
Speakers of
conflict between
the previous years
the developed
were
Nobel
coun tries with
Laureate
Dr.
stable populations
Norman
E.
and developing
Borlaug, world-
nations facing the
renowned genetic
burden
of
scientist Dr. M.S.
large populations,
Swanminathan,
Mr. Sathe hoped
Dr. Asok Mitra, a
that India and
distinguished civil
the developing
servant with a pre-
countries will set
eminent position
their houses in
in the world of
order first and
demography and
then
create
Dr. Abid Hussain,
eminent
civil
Dr. Vasant Sathe delivering the PFI's 5th annual World Population Day Lecture
pressures
for
global support for
servant and diplomat. Their voluntary organisations, health population stabilisation programme.
illuminating lectures have been specialists, planners, administrators
Recalling his own interest in the
published by the Foundation in as well' as young scholars of issue as a student of economics many
booklet
form
for
wider
population and development, Mr. decades ago and the communication
dissemination.
Sathe observed that 'unless the he had addressed to the late Pandit
"A powerful
national
critical population
problem [awahar Lal Nehru in 1954, he
consensus, cutting across party lines, confronting the nation is solved, the reiterated the need of appropriate
in support of pop~lation control, race against poverty and deprivation incentives and disincentives, the cost
firmly anchored
to human ~ill be lost to the ultimate detriment of which will be much less than the
development, is needed to give a and shame of our nation.'
cumulative burden of uncontrolled
forward thrust to the family planning
Mr. Sathe advocated three "E"s population on the economy as a
programme in the country", said - Education, Employment and whole. Tardy economic growth
Shri Vasant Sathe, former Union Economic growth - as being the against expanding population did
Minister and currently President, sheet anchor of a progressive polity not leave much opportunity for the
Indian Council for Cultural Relations. and emphasized that population future, said Mr, Sathe.
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WORLD POPULATION DAV .884
."ACE BETWEEN POPULATION AND DEV,aclPMllriViJ0"
LECTURE BV
MR VASANT SAT",E
OIt&WSED BY POPULATI0tf FOUNDATION OF INDiA
T.V. OR A BABY
I
1111
From left toriqht : Dr. Vasant Sathe, Dr. Bharat Ram and Mr. Harish Khanna
Touching upon the sensitive
question of lack of political will,
Mr. Vasant Sathe recalled that
while the intellectual perception of
the adverse impact of excessive
population on the process of
economic development and
modernisation was sound, as
expressed by the late Sanjay
Gandhi, it was the unimaginative
implementation of the programme
which had created unforeseen
problems. One of the sad
consequences was that the political
leadership decided to stay away
MR ...SATHE'S
THREE 'E'S .
from the issue of population control,
since they had seen how false and
malicious propaganda was used to
malign the party in power.
The situation had fortunately
changed with the passage of time
in which the errors had been
properly evaluated and the
importance of population issue had
once again come to the forefront.
Mr. Sathe expressed the hope that
the family planning programme
will now gain new strength from
the almost universal acceptance of
the need of keeping the size of the
family small, ensuring the economic
strength of the family unit and
improving the status of women. He
cautioned, however, that routine
approach and bureaucratic
treatment of a human-sensitive
programme, may still keep India
way behind its declared national
objectives of population stabilisation
and balanced economic development
with social equity.
~
Earlier, making introductory
remarks and introducing the
speaker, Dr. Bharat Ram, Chairman,
Population Foundation of India,
highlighted the concern at the slow
reduction of fertility as a result of
which India's population had been
growing at the rate of 2.1 per: cent
per annum - a fact often highlighted
by the Foundation.
Dr. Bharat Ram observed that
population and development had a
symbiotic relationship, both affecting
economic growth, which was'
eventually reflected in the quality
of life. India was still struggling to
lift the people from above the
poverty line because gains of the
economy were easily neutralised by
the addition of millions of-people
every year.
Dr. Bharat Ram recounted that
in spite of a substantial increase in
agricultural production the per"
capita consumption of food,
especially, by under- privileged
sections in India had in fact
declined. Women and children
suffered the most under the existing
social system. Dr. Bharat Ram
hoped, however, that the country
had at last woken up to the fact that
while economic growth accelerates
the pace of development, there has
to be concomitant deceleration of
population growth, if national
objectives have to be achieved.
The lively question-answer
session that followed Mr. Vasant
Sathe's address, focussed on the
lack of political will and the poor
administration of the programme,
which neither' ensured easy access,
nor quality, with the result that in
spite of wide awareness and
knowledge, adoption of family
planning practices was lower than
expected.
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PFI's Think-tank Throws up Valuable suggestions
on its Advocacy, Research and Operational Roles
The population situation in
India had shown some signs
of optimism though there was
still much to be desired in the delivery
of services.' this view was expressed
by Dr M S Swaminathan, the world-
renowed agricultural scientist-and
an ardent advocate of population
and environment causes, while
presiding over a meeting of the
Advisory Council of PFI held on Oct.
18,1994. Dr Swaminathan, it may be
recalled, headed the group of experts
known as the Swaminathan
Committee, which presented its
report on the New Population Policy
"tothe government in May this year.
('Focus' April-June, 1994).
Dr. Swaminathan felt that
institutions like PFI should continue
making earnest efforts to encourage
new thinking with the aim of
influencing policy. It should build up
a case for increased expenditure in
the social sector and emphasise the
crucial value of primary health care.
He fully endorsed the views of the
other members that the research role
of the PH should be expanded, within
which there should be more social
science research related to specific
problems and particular areas.
Watch-dog Role
He stated that in our
communication strategy, we should
try to project a message of hope, and
show how some states and some
districts in the otherwise backward
states, had succeeded in bringing
down infant mortality, maternal
mortality and even fertility.
Dr. Swaminathan observed that
rapidly evolving economic policy
would eventually impact social
policy, which mayor may not be to
the equal advantage of different
sections of the people. He would like
PFI and similar independent
organisations to assume a modest
watch-dog role so that health and
education receive primacy in plans.
Dr. Swaminathan felt that
delivery systems needed to be
carefully researched, more because too, even in the five States chosen by
they had tremendous impact on the the Foundation as the principal focus
success of any reproductive health of its interest.
programme. Similarly, there should
be pilot studies on decentralised
Strong Research Agenda
pattern of planning and implemen-
Prof P C Joshi suggested that
tation of health programmes, fusion . while dealing with the population
of vertical development progra- question, both sociological and econo-
mmes; provision of health security mic perspectives should receive equal
and guaranteeing easy access to attention. He felt that the Foundation
reproductive health counselling and should not only interest itself in the
availability of contraceptives.
operational side of the programme,
Referring to the Population- but also pursue a knowledge seeking
Environment
linkages,
role. In his opinion, demography
Dr. Swaminathan
advised needed to be studied as a part of
appreciation of issues concerning Development theory. From this point
natural resource management and of view, he opined that besides
evaluation of non-monetary inputs funding operational projects, PFI
in social development. Referring to should structure a strong research
the suggestion to prepare socio- agenda and collaborate with other
demographic charters relevant to qualified institutions.
village and municipal committee
levels, Dr. Swaminathan suggested
Inducing Behavioural
that PFI could perform valuable role Change
in developing models and even
producing suitable training modules.
Mr T V Antony gave a brief
description of the Tamil Nadu
Linkages with State
population movement recounting
Governments
Dr Pai Panandiker observed
that in the strategy adopted by the
Family Planning Foundation (now
PFI), established
under the
committed leadership of the late Mr
J R D Tata, advocacy had been given
due importance. He added that after
careful consideration, the Foundation
had decided to devote greater
attention to building up effective
linkages with the State Governments,
because its projects, which were
implemented in the States, largely
depended on the amount of
some important factors which were
the mainstay of the refurbished
family welfare programme in the
State. He said a mere clinical
approach was not enough. A number
of important welfare measures such
as providing mid-day meals to 70
lakh school children in schools which,
incidentally, provided em.ployment
to 70,000 women, became an
important factor in social action in
favour of attaching value to the
health of mothers and children.
Behavioural change became easy
because approach to welfare was
humane. He welcomed the
participatory support provided by
the State Administrations.
The
Foundation had also thought
interaction at the political level
necessary for a strong political
consensus. He observed, with a sense
of hope, the dramatic improvement
in the status of family planning in
Tamil Nadu and pointed out that if
proper efforts were mounted, the
situation could improve elsewhere
suggestion of a detailed study of the
Tamil Nadu experience.
Prof K Srinivasan observed that
although there had been some signs
of improvement, by and large, the
results of the family planning pro-
gramme as practised in different
parts of the country were disappoint-
ing. In his opinion, since the State
«s«. 071 pnge: 7)
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PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry Workshop
Even II
if the economy
Industry, on the occasion of World family. Giving an example, he said
grows at a rate of 3.5 population Day.
the Tamil Nadu Government by
per cent per annum, the
Dr. Bharat Ram laid emphasis initiating a comprehensive welfare
high growth rate of population will on the importance of female programme stressing on mother
neu tra lise India's social and education to successful family and child welfare has been able to
economic progress", said Dr. Bharat planning programmes. He added bring down the birth rate to 21 as
Ram, Chairman of the Population that for every 5 years of education against the national average of 32.
Foundation of India. He was to the girl child, there is a reduction
Delhi Chief Minister, Mr. Madan
speaking at a workshop on family of one per cent in fertility as an Lal Khurana who inaugurated the
'welfare which was organised by the educated girl marries late and also workshop said his government has
PHD Chamber of Commerce and exercises choice in the size of the initiated a drive to make Delhi
completely literate by the end of four
years. Echoing Dr. Bharat Ram's
views, he said whatever progress the
country made in agriculture and
industry got wiped off because of
population explosion. Mr. Khurana
said increasing population affects
sound economic development. The
Chief Minister felt the need to tackle
poverty, literacy and family planning
together. He added that his
government will aid organisations
involved in family welfare
programmes.
Mr. Vineet Virmani. President
of the PHDCCI, said the
programmes undertaken by his
organisation include inputs in the
area of female literacy, income
Mr. Madan Lal Khurana. Chief Minister, Deihl (2nd from left), Dr. Bharat Ram, Chairman
PFI (extreme left) and Mr. Vineet Virmani, Chairman PHDCCI (2nd from right)
who addressed the workshop.
generation schemes and integrated
family
welfare
and rural
development activities.
THINK-TANK (Cant. from page 6)
Governments playa crucial role in
making any programme successful,
each State should be encouraged to
define its own policy perspectives
which may draw strength from the
National policy. De-centralised policy
making, in his opinion, would ensure
successful implementation.
Larger Advocacy Role
Mr P Padmanabha stated that
in any major initiative to moderate
fertility, the role of contraception
should not be de-ernphasised. He
was of the view that advocacy role is
most important, and, PFI should
assume a larger one than heretofore.
He added that the Swaminathan
Committee Report had marked some
major departures which could result
in higher achievements
and,
therefore, its contents should be
debated.
According
to Mr
Padrnanabha, PFI should support a
dynamic research role by engaging
the best brains to investigate and
formulate their findings which
should
be
systematically
disseminated. Another idea favoured
by Mr Padmanabha
was the
preparation of a prototype health
plan in respect of one or two
panchayats and one or two districts,
which would be quite relevant in the
context of proposed devolution of
responsibility to the grassroot levels.
Prof Yashpal too favoured a
larger advocacy role than the one
being assumed by PFI. He found
literacy as a very effective means of
aiding psychological and intellectual
transformation of people and felt
that the people acquire literacy skills
very fast. Insofar as advocacy is
concerned,
Prof
Yashpal
recommended focussed attention on
a few major issues, one of them being
women's status.
Mr Harish Khanna, Executive
Director, gave a brief resume of new
activities initiated after the Board's
endorsement of the Action Plan,
incorporating many of the valuable
suggestions given by the Advisory
Council. He promised to bring to the
Board's notice the Council's anxiety
with regard to lack of importance to
the research function and the
advocacy function of the Foundation.
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State of the World Population Report 1994
1.9 Per Cent Population Growth
Rate in India during 1990-95
India's population this year has
reached the 89.66 crore mark
. and will grow to 139. 39 crore by
2025 AD, says the 'State of World
The report's focus
this year is on
problem areas, and grant the time
needed to find solutions. Even the
difference of a decade in the transition
to lower fertility could have a strong
Population Report 1994' of UNFPA.
India's population is likely to
grow at the rate of 1.9 per cent
during 1990-95 with life expectancy
during the period being 60 years.
empowerment of
women, reproductive
health and related
impact on the quality of life, seen in
terms of educational opportunities,
job prospects and improved health
. care.
Thereport's focus this year is
The report says that the birth
rate of the country is estimated to be
29 per 1,000 while the death rate
issues covered under
the thematic phrase
on empowerment
of women,
'reproductive health and related
issues - all covered by the
stands at 10 per 1,000. - a natural
increase of 19 per 1,000. Infant
mortality rate during 1990-95 is
1/ Choices and
Responsibilities" .
thematic phrase, "Choice and
Responsibilities" .
The report notes that the
estimated to be 88 per 1,000 live.
invisibility of women as individuals,
births. Urban areas in the country are expected to grow as opposed to their visible role as wives or mothers, may
at 2.9 per cent during the period.
be coming to an end. Increasingly, free and equal access
The per capita food production in the country for both men and women to health ·care, family planning
increased by 19 per cent between 1979-81 and 1991. In and education is seen as not only desirable in itself but
1989, there were 3.1
.
also as a practical
people per hectare of
arable land. During 1988-
91, more than eight
among 10 (85 per cent)
persons had access to safe
water.
The report cites UN
projections that show the
world's population ,in
mid-1994 at 5.66 billion
and predict the total
reaching six billion by
1998, 8.5 billion in 2025
and 10 billion by 2050.
Alternative Futures: Population Projections to 2150
30
/
25
U)
c
.2 20
ili
.=c 15
~c0a
"[ 10
c0...
5 _____
----
~ ~~
V
V
-:
V
V
~
High V riant
--Medlun Varian
I--
Low Va iant
contribution to a nation's
environmental protection
and to its overall economic
development.
The report also
includes a variety of
obligations to extcrid
choices: Choices about if
and when t9 get married,
about education and
employment opportu-
nities
and
about
controlling the social and
physical environment.
These projections assume
continued
declining
0
~Ul
0>
U)
t~-
0
~O>
8
0
'"
U)
0
0'"
U)
0
'" '"
<L>
t-
C>
'"
0o
N
U)
N'"
0
U)
Empowerment
is also
N taken to mean exercising
fertility patterns.
Year
choices about if and when
The
report
to get pregnant and
maintains that many of the actions that must be taken to ultimately, about determination of family size.' But
alleviate poverty, improve food supply, and malnutrition, somewhere along the way, empowerment also involves
and provide adequate housing, are perfectly consistent male responsibility. Husbands, partners, family members
with efforts needed to achieve balanced population and entire communities must help to promote a healthy
growth.
environment, free form coercion, violation or abuse, in
Slower global population growth, the report adds, which women are free to make full use of community
will relieve pressure on the environment and other services on equal footing with men, says the report.
•
8