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(UP Population Policy :
Identification Of Issues) |
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The family welfare programme has made
some progress in increasing the availability and use of
contraception. However, the fertility levels in the northern
states, including Uttar Pradesh, are substantially above
the national levels thereby offsetting the fertility decline
in other parts of India. It is hence imperative to have
a state specific population policy that focuses on developing
a programme of action for a decline in fertility levels
in Uttar Pradesh. |
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The Government of Uttar Pradesh has
aimed at achieving the replacement level fertility by
the year 2016. To develop a robust population policy for
the state a workshop on 'Population Policy for U.P. Identification
of Issues and Challenges' was held on 2 - 4 March, 2000.
The workshop was organized by the Department of Medical
Health and Family Welfare, Government of U.P. and sponsored
by The Policy Project. SIFPSA provided technical support
for the workshop and actively participated in discussions
and presentation of papers on successful strategies implemented.
The main objective of this workshop was to identify specific
issues that need to be addressed to achieve replacement
level fertility and work out strategies for the same.
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Active Participation |
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The workshop was inaugurated by Mr.
Ram Prakash, Hon. Chief Minister, of U.P. who in his inaugural
address emphasized that the population policy should be
based on the real needs of Uttar Pradesh and should take
into cognizance the socio-cultural diversity within the
state. Hr desired that the population policy for U.P.
should be prepared in 3 months. Mr. Sardar Singh, Minister
for Family Welfare, while commending the efforts made
by SIFPSA in integrating private and public sectors, stressed
on the need for a population stabilization policy which
is not only viable but will help in bringing state population
indicators on par with all-India indicators. Mr. Ramapati
Shastri, Minister for Health assured the participants
in his valedictory speech, that the Uttar Pradesh government
would ensure political commitment, which is a must for
any programme to succeed. Mr.Yogendra Narain, Chief Secretary,
Government of U.P. and Chairman, SIFPSA, chaired an interesting
session on advocacy in which distinguished persons from
the media were the panelists. Mr. V.K.Dewan, Principal
Secretary, Medical, Health and Family Welfare, Government
of U.P., welcomed the august gathering and introduced
the family planning programme in Uttar Pradesh. Ms. Aradhana
Johri, Executive Director, SIFPSA chaired a session on
gender issues.More than a hundred participants from academia,
demographers, social scientists, programme managers, policy
makers and concerned citizens participated in this three-day
meet and enriched it with their expertise and experience.
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Specific Issues Identified |
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Twenty-eight papers were presented and
discussed in ten technical sessions. A host of issues
related to fertility behaviour, contraceptive use, MCH
services, programme management, inter-sectoral coordination,
linkages with the private sector, gender issues and advocacy,
were thrown up and several achievements and challenges
identified. After presentation of all papers, three working
groups were formed to identify policy issues related to
public sector, private sector and inter-sectoral coordination.
The major recommendations of the working groups were to
expand reach & improve quality of services, generate demand
for services, involve private sector in service delivery,
ensure community participation and take up advocacy at
all levels. The group discussions provided valuable insights
into policy issues and strategies to achieve replacement
level fertility in Uttar Pradesh. |
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