20 August 2008
JAKARTA, Indonesia: Prior to the 2009 general election, population
experts call on political leaders to mainstream population
and gender issues in the next 5-year development plan, saying
that it would directly benefit Indonesians and support development
efforts.
Population and gender equality are at theheart of successful
development efforts. “Advancing population issues and
promoting gender equality also means promoting respect for
Human Rights values. Indonesians in general will reap the
benefits when we turn into reality women’s right, the
right of individual to be free of HIV/AIDS, the right to determine
the number of children and when to have them,” said
UNFPA Representative Dr. Zahidul Huque.
To realize these rights, there is a need to improve government
commitment to reproductive health (RH), including family planning
and translate it into budget availability in the State Budget
and Provincial and District Budget; improved access to services
and information for better wellbeing.
Assistant Representative Ms. Martha Santoso Ismail (see photo:
second from left) during the declaration of the Coalition
for Population and Development’s Position Statement
told reporters that continued efforts to raise public awareness
on population, reproductive health and gender are needed.
" Many people are unaware that women’s status in
the society determines their risk of dying from maternal causes;
that high fertility and early childbearing link to high maternal
deaths; and that family planning and small family size enable
more girls to enjoy schooling and promote gender equality,”
she explained.
UNFPA, Ms. Ismail added, will support the government to make
projections on RH and FP needs, especially for meeting the
need of the poor. “Advocacy has been done and will continue
to mobilize wider supports of the political leaders for the
creation of conducive policy climate in 2009 and beyond. It
will also aim to galvanize the supports of the community and
religious leaders for their active involvement, including
in promoting male participation,” she said.
For further information please contact:
Maria Endah Hulupi
UNFPA Communications Officer: 0812 1115 116
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