Other news 2007
Joint EU-Africa Strategy and Action Plan - December 2007
The goal of this strategy is to build a new strategic political partnership for the future of the relationship between EU and Africa, “overcoming the traditional donor-recipient relationship and building on common values and goals.” This document together with the action plan will be used a reference point in all EU relations with Africa and given the quality of the references to SRHR, this can be an excellent tool for advocacy in EU, AU and national context. The next step is to monitor and contribute to the implementation process. One of the direct consequences is the installation of an EU representative to the African Union (Mr. Koen Vervaeke) and a stronger, decentralised EU presence in Africa.
The final text of the EU-Africa strategy has been approved in Lisbon, last 8 and 9 December. The final text as well as the accompanying action plan, contains detailed references to SRHR, health system strengthening and the Maputo plan of action and also refers to the new target of MDG5: universal access to reproductive health.
The most relevant paragraph of the Strategy and of the Action Plan is paragraph 62 which states: “Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) will be promoted with the aim of achieving universal access to reproductive health by 2015 and to reduce newborn, infant and maternal morbidity and mortality, as set out by the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Maputo Plan of Action, in the context of the Action Plans of this Joint Strategy.” This important paragraph is reflected in the Action Plan.
For the Joint EU-Africa Strategy and Action Plan, click here.
6th UN Human Rights Council- December 2007
During the sixth session of the Human Rights Council the mandate of the Special Rapporteur Paul Hunt was confirmed for another three years. The Council was also marked by the adoption by consensus on the Chilean resolution on integrating the human rights of women throughout the UN system. Special Rapporteur Hunt emphasised that every human being has the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Furthermore, Mr Hunt advocates in his new report, greater recognition of maternal mortality as not only being a health problem, but also a matter of human rights. After attacks by some countries - particularly Egypt - the Special Rapporteur emphasised once more that his position on abortion is consistent with that taken by the UN system in Cairo 1994 and in Beijing 1995. With regard to discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, Paul Hunt confirms that his position is line with the position taken by a number of his fellow Special Rapporteurs, as well as the High Commissioner. Furthermore, the resolution encourages the use of the Special Procedure and calls for the recognition of gender equality as well as the needs of children and other vulnerable and marginalised groups. Finally the resolution calls for special attention to sexual and reproductive health as an integral element of the universal right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
For the full report, click here.
European Consensus for Humanitarian Aid signed - 18 December 2007
The Presidents of the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of the European Union on behalf of the 27 EU Member States signed a 'European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid'. The Consensus sets out a common EU vision and a practical approach for reaching out effectively to millions of people worldwide suffering as a result of conflicts and natural disasters.
Around half of official international humanitarian aid is provided by the EU, either through the European Commission or bilaterally by Member States. So far this year, the European Commission alone has distributed more than €700 million in humanitarian relief aid. The European Consensus puts in place for the first time a comprehensive joint EU policy statement on humanitarian aid, similar to what the European Consensus on Development meant to do for coordinated development aid.
The European Consensus, which was proposed by the Commission, aims at boosting EU coordination and emphasises good donor practice. It also underlines the different roles of those involved in providing relief. As the European Commission's Press release states: "Delivering aid successfully in difficult circumstances demands strong partnership and good links to the international community, including the UN, the Red Cross movement and the humanitarian NGOs. Local capacity is also crucial to save lives and minimise suffering. Through the Consensus, the EU also affirms its commitment to supporting vulnerable communities through risk reduction and disaster preparedness work."
The Statement on the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid was approved by Council on 19 November and the European Parliament on 29 November and has been signed by the Presidents of the Commission, Council and European Parliament on 18 December 2007.
Relevance EPWG
After a strong report by Mr. Cornillet in the European Parliament (see 'Resolutions'), the section on reproductive health was not taken into account in the final version of the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aids. However, the final text includes references to health in general and contains a reference to the SPHERE standards. The SPHERE includes the Minimum Initial Service Package, a set of reproductive health activities and services to prevent and manage the consequences of sexual violence, reduce HIV transmission, prevent excess neonatal and maternal illness and mortality and plan for the provision of comprehensive reproductive health services once a crisis situation stabilises.
For the final text of the consensus, click here
New target MDG5: reproductive health - 25 October 2007
Reproductive health has now officially been included in the MDGs as a new target under MDG5.
The announcement was made in the UN Secretary General’s ‘Update on the Work of the Organisation’ – from page 66 for the full details click here for the document. This was despite strong protest from the Vatican and the US.
The MDGs now reflect an official international consensus that reproductive health and family planning our key priorities for international development and maternal health. Governments and donors around the world have signed their commitment to achieving the MDGs, so we can now use the goals as a strong point of reference in our calls for more resources and attention for family planning. This might help to reverse the decline in global funding for family planning since the mid-1990s.
The new MDG target and indicators
* = New additions to MDG5
Goal 5: Improve maternal health
Target 6:
Reduce by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio
Achieve, by 2015, universal access to reproductive health*
Indicators:
Maternal mortality ratio
Proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel
Contraceptive prevalence rate*
Adolescent birth rate*
Antenatal care coverage*
Unmet need for family planning*
Euromapping: EU family planning aid for poor countries falls- 9 October 2007
Published in TheParliament.com on 9 October 2007
EU policymakers are neglecting family planning in their development aid, according to a new study.
The new research says the share of family planning aid in total OECD population assistance fell from 30 to 9 per cent between 2001 and 2004.
“This has left millions of people suffering unnecessarily from maternal and infant deaths, unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions,” according to the study.
The report, produced by the German Foundation for World Population (DSW), an international development organisation, and parliament’s Forum on Population and Development (EPF), was published in Brussels on Tuesday.
At the launch of the study, Belgian Socialist MEP Anne Van Lancker said, “European governments proudly affirm their commitment to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
“So what is happening to the funds for family planning? Europe must do everything it can to stop poor women dying needlessly by supporting family planning and reproductive health programmes in developing countries."
The report, called ‘Euromapping’, scrutinises EU countries’ development aid for reproductive health. It says the “drastic” cut in family planning comes at a time when the largest youth population ever enters child-bearing years.
It says that a shift towards increased funding for Aids prevention and treatment has come at the expense of other forms of assistance. “Fighting the Aids pandemic is absolutely imperative but policymakers must not forget that family planning is key to poverty reduction,” said Karen Hoehn, DSW director of European affairs.
EU policymakers are neglecting family planning in their development aid, according to a new study.
For a presentation of the DSW/EPF report, click here
For the full report, see the DSW website here
World Population Day - 11 July 2007
Statement by Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director, UNFPA
Kenyan religious leaders stand up to FGM - 30 April 2007
The decision by Muslim religious leaders in northeastern Kenya to talk about the dangers of female genital mutilation (FGM) during Friday prayers has turned into a significant campaign against the practice.
"We have managed to educate people and convince many parents, including those with strong traditional beliefs, that circumcising girls is not a requirement in Islam," said Sheikh Harun Rashid of Isiolo Rahma Mosque.
