28 May 2008
A critical opportunity to transform health development in Africa that must not be missed: The 4th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV).
As the governments of several African states gather in Yokohama (28 – 30 May) for the TICAD IV to promote African development, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, the largest civil society organization delivering sexual and reproductive health care in Africa, is calling on African leaders and the Government of Japan to address 5 key issues to improve the health of people in Africa:
• Increase the priority for ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health care, including family planning, as a key strategy for improving the health of women, men and young people across Africa. Sexual and reproductive health and rights are central to individual and social wellbeing.
• Support African-led initiatives, including the Maputo Plan of Action for the Operationalization of the Continental Policy Framework for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, and ensure they are funded properly.
• Promote real partnership with civil society in Africa to ensure the voice of individuals and communities are fully represented in discussions and policies that affect them.
• Respect an approach to development in Africa that places human rights and human dignity at its centre, and which promotes a grassroots upwards approach to developing health interventions. These are important principles for the Government of Japan’s ‘human security’ development concept where the purpose of all development is improving the well being of all people so they can live in dignity.
• HIV/AIDS in Africa is a sexual and reproductive health issue. To tackle HIV/AIDS effectively an integrated approach to HIV/AIDS and Sexual and Reproductive Health within the health system strengthening process needs to be urgently addressed.
IPPF acknowledges the Government of Japan's leadership in the preparation process for TICAD which has focused on improving health in Africa.
IPPF believes TICAD IV provides a clear opportunity to transform health interventions in Africa.
IPPF is a global service provider and an advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all.
We are a respected and trusted partner working with and for communities and individuals around the world:
• IPPF’s Director-General, Dr. Gill Greer, and Africa Region Director, Mr Tewodros Melesse, will be attending the TICAD IV
• IPPF will launch a photojournal at TICAD, ‘Window into a world’, which documents the groundbreaking of the IPPF Japanese Trust Fund for HIV and AIDS.
• Mr Tewodros Melesse, IPPF Africa Regional Director, will deliver a speech on gender and African development at a seminar to be held at 15:30 at the Showa Women’s University on Wednesday 28th May.
For further information, please contact:
Yuri Nakamura
IPPF Central Office
(Mobile number in Japan: 090-4266-6703)
or visit us at our TICAD booth, 1st floor, Pacifico Yokohama (booth number: 1-B11).