The International Conference on

Population and DevelopmentCairo, Egypt -1994

By: Sarah O’Shaughnessy

Intro to the conference Focus of the

discussions• Immigration policy • Urbanization• Reproductive health • Access to health care

• Women’s reproductive rights became a significant aspect of the conference.

Women and Population

•Women are significantly linked to the overall health and development of the world’s population

• Therefore, improving the lives of women will assist with improving the health of world populations

•The Cairo conference (1994) made significant strides towards increased equality for women, improved health status and ideal population health and development.

History of Reproductive Health• Decline in maternal mortality began

in western countries in the early 20th century

• Women from developing countries are still at a high risk of dying during pregnancy

• Risk is 1/16 for women in developing countries in contrast to 1/4800 for women in developed countries.

History of Reproductive Health

• Newborn survival is closely linked to the health of the mother

•The Health of the mother and child should be equally addressed

•1987 Conference on safe motherhood.

Decade for Women• UN established Decade for

women 1976-1985

• Recognized governmental role in establishing women’s health

• Reveals a growing trend towards support for women’s health rights and its connection to the health of the broader global community

• Took place in Mexico City

• Focus on women’s rights relevant to men

• Women’s access to employment and education

Population and Development Conference 1984

1984 Conference and Reproductive Rights

• Familial rights to reproduction were outlined in more detail than women’s specific rights

• Argued that women should be equal to men in all social spheres

• Yet, the conference failed to stipulate how this equality should be achieved or maintained

• Women’s rights terms were not clearly defined

• The conference left too much room for governmental interpretation and control

• Explicit goals were not set that would have aided in enforcing implementation

1984 Reproductive Rights Analysis

The International Conference on Population and Development 1994

• Definition of reproductive health was created

•The definition demonstrated the recognition of the variety and complexity of issues that can affect overall women’s health and therefore the ability to reproduce

•Provided further examples as to how women’s health, and therefore the health of the population, may be improved

Focus on Women’s Rights 1994• The right of women to experience pregnancy and childbirth safely was made explicit

•Discussed the need to Promote and protect the women’s rights relating to reproduction and sexuality

•Argued for access to fertility regulation which includes: family planning, delayed childbearing, the use of contraception, treatment of infertility, interruption of unwanted pregnancies and breastfeeding.

• The Cairo conference distinguished itself from the conference in 1984 by setting out specific actions to be taken concerning reproductive rights

• Inclusion of reproductive health in the primary health-care system by the year 2015.

• Clearly outlined goals sets standard. • As well reproductive health aspects that were

intended to be included were clearly outline, leaving little room for interpretation from governments.

Program of Action and Reproductive Rights

• The conference also discussed actions required to implement specific programs within individual countries that would encourage reproductive health and stipulated exactly what the role of these programs should be in the lives of women, men, families and adolescents.

Program of Action Continued

Conclusion•The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development made significant steps towards women’s reproductive issues.

•The use of clearly stated definitions and plans of action provided not only clarity about the issues but also the provisions needed to achieve such goals

•The conference continued the historical trend towards increased awareness of women’s reproductive issues and the significant role these issues play in the health of the global population.