Family Planning in Asia and the Pacific - International Council on ...

Thus an objective assessment of <strong>the</strong> performance ofpopulation <strong>and</strong> reproductive <strong>in</strong>dicators <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> post-ICPDperiod shows an impressive record. The population growthrate has cont<strong>in</strong>ued to decl<strong>in</strong>e from 1.5 per cent dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>early 1990s to 1.0 per cent <strong>in</strong> 2009. The prevalence ofunderweight children under 5 years of age has droppedfrom 37.7 per cent <strong>in</strong> 1993 to 21.6 per cent <strong>in</strong> 2006/07.The <strong>in</strong>fant mortality rate has decl<strong>in</strong>ed from 16.9 per 1,000live births <strong>in</strong> 1994 to 8.5 <strong>in</strong> 2007 . The maternal mortalityratio has cont<strong>in</strong>ued to decl<strong>in</strong>e from 20 per 100,000 livebirths <strong>in</strong> 1994 to 14.2 <strong>in</strong> 2006. The coverage of antenatalcare has <strong>in</strong>creased from 90 per cent <strong>in</strong> 1993 to 99 per cent<strong>in</strong> 2007. Females have lower mortality rates at all ages.The adolescent fertility rate has decl<strong>in</strong>ed from 35 per1,000 population <strong>in</strong> 1993 to 28 per 1,000 <strong>in</strong> 2007. Thecontraceptive prevalence of modern methods has <strong>in</strong>creasedfrom 42.1 per cent <strong>in</strong> 1993 to 52.8 per cent <strong>in</strong> 2007. Theunmet need for contraception has cont<strong>in</strong>ued to decl<strong>in</strong>efrom 10.8 to 7.3 per cent dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> same period.Future challengesThe major challenge that confronts Sri Lanka is to improve<strong>the</strong> quality of <strong>the</strong> family plann<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> reproductive healthprogramme. In order to achieve this, <strong>the</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g strategiesare required.Identify vulnerable groups <strong>in</strong> geographic pockets forfocused attention <strong>in</strong> reproductive health activities.Give priority to <strong>the</strong> improvement of logistic management<strong>and</strong> commodity security of contraceptives <strong>and</strong> drugs<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> availability of equipment.Reduce septic abortions, which account for about 12per cent of maternal deaths.Provide <strong>in</strong>formation <strong>and</strong> education on <strong>the</strong> need foradequate nutrition dur<strong>in</strong>g pregnancy <strong>and</strong> lactation <strong>and</strong><strong>the</strong> importance of birth spac<strong>in</strong>g.Develop age-appropriate behaviour changecommunication approaches to <strong>in</strong>fluence <strong>the</strong> behaviourpatterns of adolescents.Promote equal participation of men <strong>and</strong> women <strong>in</strong>parent<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> family care.Streng<strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> adm<strong>in</strong>istration of justice <strong>and</strong> effectivelaw enforcement for progress on gender equality <strong>and</strong>zero tolerance for violence aga<strong>in</strong>st women <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> family<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> community.Streng<strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> database used for population <strong>and</strong>reproductive health plann<strong>in</strong>g at national <strong>and</strong> subnationallevels by improv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> quality of data <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir timelyreport<strong>in</strong>g.Advocate <strong>the</strong> importance of <strong>in</strong>formed choice <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> useof family plann<strong>in</strong>g services.Advocate, through government agencies <strong>and</strong> women’sorganizations, higher representation of women <strong>in</strong>governance <strong>and</strong> decision-mak<strong>in</strong>g positions.Undertake research to ascerta<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> causes of <strong>the</strong>widen<strong>in</strong>g gap between male <strong>and</strong> female life expectancyat birth.Incorporate population <strong>and</strong> development concerns <strong>in</strong>tonational development plann<strong>in</strong>g with a focus on povertyalleviation.ReferencesAbeykoon, A.T.P.L. (2009). “ICPD 15 years on: SriLanka’s participation, policy <strong>and</strong> programme<strong>in</strong>itiatives”, In: <strong>Family</strong> <strong>Plann<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Association of SriLanka <strong>and</strong> Bradman Weerakoon, eds., ICPD – “15Years On” Sri Lanka: A Review of Progress by 12 SriLankan Scholars <strong>and</strong> Practioners, Colombo.__________ (1996). Population Programme <strong>in</strong> Sri Lanka:The Environment, Strategies, Structure, ManagerialProcesses <strong>and</strong> Strategic Issues for <strong>the</strong> Future, PopulationDivision, M<strong>in</strong>istry of Health <strong>and</strong> Social Services,Colombo.Department of Census <strong>and</strong> Statistics (2009). Sri LankaDemographic <strong>and</strong> Health Survey, 2006-07, M<strong>in</strong>istry ofHealthcare <strong>and</strong> Nutrition, Colombo.__________ (2002). Sri Lanka Demographic <strong>and</strong> HealthSurvey 2000, M<strong>in</strong>istry of Health, Nutrition <strong>and</strong>Welfare, Colombo.__________ (1993). Sri Lanka Demographic <strong>and</strong> HealthSurvey 1993, M<strong>in</strong>istry of Health, Nutrition <strong>and</strong>Welfare, Colombo.__________ (1988). Sri Lanka Demographic <strong>and</strong> HealthSurvey 1987, M<strong>in</strong>istry of Plan Implementation,Colombo.__________ (1983). Sri Lanka Contraceptive PrevalenceSurvey 1982, Colombo.Department of National <strong>Plann<strong>in</strong>g</strong> (1962). The Short-Term Implementation Programme, Colombo.M<strong>in</strong>istry of <strong>Plann<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>and</strong> Employment (1971). The FiveYear Plan 1972-1976, Colombo.National <strong>Plann<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>Council</strong> (1959). The Ten Year Plan,<strong>Plann<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Secretariat, Colombo.Population Division (2005). Population Statistics of SriLanka, M<strong>in</strong>istry Healthcare <strong>and</strong> Nutrition, Colombo.224