ALL PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP ON POPULATION, DEVELOPMENT AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
ANNUAL REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES 2005/2006
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2 All Party Parliamentary Group on Population, Development and Reproductive Health
Annual Review 2005/2006
CONTENTS
Page
FOREWORD 5
COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND STAFF 7
NEW GROUP MEMBERS APRIL 2005 - MARCH 2006 8
APPG PD&RH AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 10
PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITIES 11
APPG on PD&RH Committee Meetings 11
APPG on PD&RH Parliamentary Briefing Meetings 11
Other Briefing Meetings 13
European Meetings 17 Inter-European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development 17 EuroNGO 18 Council of Europe 18
Study Tours 19 Bangladesh 19 China 19
General Written Briefings 19
General Correspondence 22
Parliamentary Statements, Debates, Questions and 22 Early Day Motions House of Commons 22 Statements Debates Early Day Motions Oral and written questions House of Lords 32 Statements Debates Oral and written questions
3 CONTENTS (cont.)
Meetings and Correspondence with DfID and 35 DfID Select Committee Meetings 35 Correspondence 36 Consultations 37 Workshops 37 DfID Departmental Report 2005 38
International Funding to Sexual and 39 Reproductive Health and Rights, Population and HIV/AIDS
International Conferences 41 G8 International Parliamentarians Conference on 41 Development in Africa, Edinburgh, Scotland World Summit, New York, USA 41 Inter Parliamentary Union Conference on 42 Violence against Women, Dakar, Senegal Demography, Reproductive Health and 42 Sustainable Economic Growth in Africa, Paris, France
Support to other Countries’ APPGs on PD&RH 43
APPG on PD&RH Hearings 43 2000 - Follow up to Hearings on FGM 43 2004 - Follow up to Hearings on Linking Sexual and 43 Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS 2006 Hearings on Population Growth – 44 its impact on the Millennium Development Goals
APPG PD&RH PUBLICATIONS 45
Activity Reports 45
Hearings/Survey/Reports 45
ACCOUNTS 46
ACRONYMS 47
APPENDICES 49
4 FOREWORD
As the Chair of the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Population, Development and Reproductive Health (APPG on PD&RH), I am pleased to inform you, that we have had another active and successful year.
Following the General Elections in May 2005, we recruited six new members to the group; Celia Barlow MP, Lyn Brown MP, Paul Flynn MP, Jo Swinson MP, Dr Rudi Vis MP and Lord Goodlad.
Lyn Brown MP has since become an executive committee member.
A very important highlight this year, has been the Department for International Development’s (DfID) strong support to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), including support to controversial SRHR issues, such as, unsafe abortion and the specific needs of vulnerable groups.
DfID has also been extremely supportive and active, in ensuring the inclusion of a United Nations (UN) target on reproductive health, within the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) framework.
Another important development was DfID’s agreement to invite back bench MPs, with specific expertise, onto Government delegations at UN conferences.
Recommendations from the group’s 2004 Hearing Report on Linking SRHR and HIV/AIDS, have gained momentum. UK Parliamentary debates, Parliamentary Questions and Early Day Motions on Poverty, International Development, Health Services in Developing Countries, HIV/AIDS and SRHR all made strong reference to HIV/AIDS prevention and linked SRHR and HIV/AIDS policies, programmes and services.
DfID’s Annual Report 2005 and White Paper published this year, as well as the European Union (EU) Statement on HIV Prevention for an AIDS Free Generation, also make reference to prioritising and improving SRHR services and linking SRHR and HIV/AIDS services.
The Health Secretary of State’s announcement that sexual health, including access to Genital Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinics, will be one of the Top 6 NHS priorities for 2006/07, was also welcome.
5 Throughout the year members have been updated regularly on SRHR issues via committee meetings, written briefings, parliamentary and general briefings, meetings and receptions.
Selected members have participated in study tours and national, European and international conferences.
The group continues to encourage initiatives to increase individuals’ and couples’ access to comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services, in order to achieve social and economical progress, environmental sustainability and poverty reduction.
The group will continue to engage, recruit and brief new MPs and Peers on SRHR issues. The group will also continue to foster the establishment of other country APPG’s on PD&RH and most importantly keep SRHR central to the global development agenda.
Hearings on Population Growth – its impact on the MDGs, will run throughout the spring and summer and the final report will be published in Winter 2006, with a launch in the UK Parliament.
I hope that over the next decade, we will find a way to speak from a human rights perspective about, both the importance of population stabilisation and the need to support the rights of individuals to reproductive freedom and reproductive choice.
Christine McCafferty MP Chair
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND STAFF
The APPG on PD&RH committee is active in planning and running the group's business.
Chair Christine McCafferty MP (L)
Vice Chairmen Viscount Craigavon (XB) Richard Ottaway MP (C)
Secretaries Martyn Jones MP (L) Baroness Flather (C)
Treasurer Baroness Tonge (LD)
Officers Lyn Brown MP (L) Robert Key MP (C) Baroness Gould (L) Baroness Lockwood (L) Baroness Massey (L) Lord Rea (L)
Parliamentary and Ann Mette Kjaerby Policy Advisor
Parliamentary Kari Mawhood Assistant
Address Room 563 Portcullis House House of Commons Westminster SW1A 2LW Tel: 020 7219 2492 Fax: 020 7219 2641 e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.appg-popdevrh.org.uk
7 NEW GROUP MEMBERS APRIL 2005 - MARCH 2006
Immediately after the general election in May 2005, a letter was sent to all new MPs enquiring about their interest in becoming a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Population, Development and Reproductive Health.
Celia Barlow MP, Jo Swinson MP and Lyn Brown MP wrote back, requesting to become members of the group.
Please find enclosed letter sent as appendix 1.
Other MPs/Peers with an interest in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights or appointed to positions which warrant their potential interest in SRHR issues have been contacted during the year.
Please find enclosed sample communication with Shadow Minister for the Environment’s office as appendix 2.
New group members Celia Barlow MP (L) Celia Barlow MP is a former BBC journalist and lecturer who entered Parliament in 2005. She is a member of the Environmental Audit Select Committee and is also Parliamentary Private Secretary to Ian Pearson, Minister of State at DEFRA. In Parliament she has spoken on Africa, debt cancellation and a wide range of environmental issues.
Lyn Brown MP (L) Lyn Brown MP was a long serving Newham councillor, former CND activist and equalities officer before succeeding Tony Banks as MP for West Ham in 2005.
She was born in Newham and went to local schools. She then stayed on at university as sabbatical president of the student union, and was active in CND and the Greenham Common protest movements.
She worked briefly as a residential social worker in a children’s home in Ealing, and more recently as equalities officer for the London Borough of Waltham Forest. She was a keen campaigner for the London Olympic Bid for 2012 and suggested Newham as a potential Olympic site as long ago as the mid-1990s.
Paul Flynn MP (L) Paul Flynn MP was educated at St Illtyd's Roman Catholic College and University College, Cardiff, and was a chemist in the steel industry for twenty-one years. He was briefly a community radio broadcaster before becoming a researcher for Llew Smith, then MEP for South East Wales. He was elected to Parliament in 1987.
Once an opposition Spokesman on Health and Social Security under Neil Kinnock MP, then a committee man, he has opted to become a professional backbencher, a one- man campaigning group for a variety of causes. He is a member of the Social, Health and Family Affairs, and the Environmental, Agriculture, Local and Regional Committees of the Council of Europe and of the Western European Union's Defence Committee.
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He served on the Transport Committee in the 1992 Parliament and briefly on the Welsh Affairs Committee from 1997-98. He spent two years on the Environmental Audit Committee until 2005, when he was appointed to the Public Administration Committee
Jo Swinson MP (LD) Jo Swinson MP is a former marketing manager who was elected to Parliament in 2005 and is the Commons’ youngest MP. She is currently the Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland.
Her policy interests include the environment, mental health, corporate social responsibility and gender. She has been active in the Chamber, speaking on a variety of subjects from the Child Support Agency, carers and breast cancer to licensing hours, domestic violence and breastfeeding in public. She has also introduced a debate on trade with developing countries.
Dr Rudi Vis MP (L) Dr Rudi Vis MP was born in Alkmaar in the Netherlands and educated at his local high school, then the University of Maryland, the London School of Economics and Brunel University, ending up with an MSc and PhD in economics.
At the time of his election to Parliament in 1997, he was a Barnet councillor and principal economics lecturer at the University of East London, formerly North-East London Polytechnic. He is vice-chairman of All-Party Groups on Cyprus and war graves; secretary of the group on the Irish in Britain; treasurer of the Netherlands group and vice- chairman of the group on Israel.
Lord Goodlad (C) Lord Goodlad entered the House of Lords in July 2005. He was educated at Marlborough College and studied law at King’s College, London. He was formerly a Conservative MP for Northwich, then Eddisbury, for 25 years. He was a Minister of State in the Foreign Office and Government Chief Whip. In 2000 he was appointed High Commissioner to Australia, prompting the Eddisbury by-election, and upon his return in 2005 was elevated to the Lords. Prior to his 2000 appointment he was an extremely active member of the APPG on PD&RH.
All new group members have received a covering letter introducing and welcoming them to the APPG on PD&RH.
Please find enclosed covering letter as appendix 3.
9 APPG PD&RH AIM AND OBJECTIVES
Aim Ensure the full implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action with specific reference to stabilising the world’s population through choice and ensuring sustainable development
Objectives Raise the profile of population, and sexual and reproductive health and rights including family planning issues in Parliament and internationally;
Provide parliamentary backing to the Secretary of State for International Development in his negotiations with the Treasury with a view to increasing the United Kingdom Overseas Development Aid to 0.7% of GNP – 10% to the ICPD Programme of Action;
Keep under review population trends and sexual and reproductive health and rights programmes/policies/legislation nationally and internationally;
In consultation with Government departments, international agencies and NGOs (NGOs), assess how this country might respond to requests from outside for support and to press for action by Parliament and the Government;
Study the results of research into the causes and consequences of population changes and the effect that access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services has on population and draw these to the attention of both Houses of Parliament;
Increase awareness of the interdependence between countries, with reference to poverty reduction, women’s equality, access to sexual and reproductive health and rights services, environment, consumption and pollution and the impact of legislation, policies and practices of one country upon others.
10 PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITIES
APPG on PD&RH Committee Meetings The group held 5 committee meetings between April 2005 - March 2006.
June 28th 2005 (AGM) November 11th 2005 (Strategy Meeting) January 11th 2006 February 8th 2006 March 21st 2006
Please find enclosed agendas and committee meeting minutes as appendix 4.
APPG on PD&RH Parliamentary Briefing Meetings 9 Parliamentary briefing meetings/receptions were organised by the group this year to update group members on national and international SRHR/population and international development issues.
June 2005: European Community (EC) Development Policy briefing APPG on PD&RH members were briefed by Sophie Peresson, Marie Stopes International (MSI) Advocacy Manager, Brussels on the EC Development Policy.
Please find enclosed her PowerPoint presentation as appendix 5.
July 2005: World Population Day reception The APPG on PD&RH co-hosted in collaboration with the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) a World Population Day reception to mark the day.
Baroness Royall, Spokesperson for International Development, House of Lords (HoL), was the key note speaker at the event.
The 2005 World Population Day theme was: Equality Empowers.
The event was well attended, however due to a security alert the reception was interrupted.
Please find enclosed reception invitation, press release and speeches as appendix 6.
November 2005: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) book launch The APPG on PD&RH co-hosted a book launch on FGM, edited by Comfort Momoh. Comfort Momoh was heavily involved in the groups FGM Hearings in 2000.
Please find enclosed the invitation and the foreword that Christine McCafferty MP prepared for the book as appendix 7.
December 2005: World AIDS Day reception The APPG on PD&RH and All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on AIDS co-hosted in collaboration with the UK Civil Society on HIV/AIDS and DfID an evening reception to mark the 2005 World AIDS Day with the theme: HIV Prevention: Promises, Progress & Reality.
The reception coincided with the European Union (EU) Ministerial Meeting in London where the EU Statement on HIV Prevention for an AIDS Free Generation was approved by the Council of Ministers.
Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for International Development (SS for ID) was the key note speaker, supported by the Chairs of the APPG’s, a civil society representative on microbicides and a youth representative.
11 A large briefing kit with relevant SRHR and HIV/AIDS material was handed out to participants upon arrival. The APPG on PD&RH new pamphlet was included.
Please find enclosed the World AIDS Day – EU statement on HIV Prevention for and AIDS Free Generation, UK Civil Society on HIV/AIDS and the Network on SRHR responses to the statement as well as speeches, press releases and the new APPG on PD&RH pamphlet as appendix 8.
Chair subsequently received a letter from Hilary Benn MP, SS for ID thanking her and the group for the evening reception and the groups continued work.
Please find enclosed letter as appendix 9.
The event was very well attended also by EU Ministers and it received good press coverage.
Please find enclosed some press material as appendix 10.
December 2005: SRHR briefing with Steven Sinding, Director General, IPPF Steven Sinding, Director General IPPF briefed group members on: " Everything you ever wanted to know about Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and were too afraid to ask".
Many subjects were discussed including IPPF’s Annual Report, linkages between SRHR and HIV/AIDS, SRHR funding and President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). As a response to the briefing meeting, the group wrote a letter to Ambassador Kolker raising concerns about PEPFAR and funding to SRHR. A favourable reply was received.
Please find enclosed correspondence with Ambassador Kolker and briefings provided as appendix 11.
January 2006: UK SRHR Network briefing UK SRHR Network representatives briefed group members on current SRHR issues including, DfID’s plan for a third White Paper on International Development, HIV/AIDS and United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) and on UK’s work on International Unsafe Abortion.
The meeting was well attended and briefings were well received. Parliamentary Questions (PQs) followed and the group prepared a response to DfID’s White Paper consultation.
Please find enclosed disseminated briefings on Unsafe Abortion as well as other UK SRHR network briefing material as appendix 12.
February 2006: DfID Reproductive and Child Health team briefing DfID’s Reproductive and Child Health Team members met with the group for an informal briefing, question and answer session.
12 The briefing included information on cross Whitehall work on SRHR, the Health Metrics Network, Maternal Health in Nepal and the new Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health.
Please find enclosed briefing material sent to members as appendix 13.
February 2006: ‘On the page campaign’ briefing The APPG on PD&RH co-hosted a reception with the Commonwealth Medical Trust to launch ‘On the page campaign’, for the promotion of reproductive health in the context of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Gareth Thomas MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development (PUSS for ID) was the key note speaker at the event.
A message from Ms Obaid, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director was read out by Christine McCafferty MP, as requested by UNFPA.
Please find enclosed correspondence with Gareth Thomas MP, PUSS for ID, invitation, campaign bookmark sample and speeches as appendix 14.
February 2006: Death and Denial: Unsafe Abortion and Poverty reception The APPG on PD&RH co-hosted a reception with IPPF and DfID to mark the launch of IPPF’s new publication Death and Denial: Unsafe Abortion and Poverty. Gareth Thomas MP, PUSS for ID, was the key note speaker at the event. He was followed by Steven Sinding, Director General IPPF and Dr Nono Simelela, Director of Technical Knowledge and Support, IPPF HIV/AIDS team.
At the event, Gareth Thomas MP, PUSS for ID announced the UK Government’s initial £3 million contribution to a new Global Safe Abortion Fund. The new Fund will support services and information to reduce unsafe abortion, worldwide.
Please find enclosed invitation, press releases and speeches as appendix 15.
Other Briefing Meetings Group members and the Parliamentary and Policy Advisor attended 21 other SRHR related briefings this year.
July 2005: MSI Late Abortion launch The APPG on PD&RH was represented at the MSI Late Abortion publication launch, which was a new research study of women undergoing abortion between 19 – 24 weeks gestation.
Please find enclosed invitation and press articles on late abortions as appendix 16.
October 2005: Population and Sustainability Network (PSN) Annual General Meeting (AGM) Members of the APPG on PD&RH attended the PSN AGM. The Dean of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) opened the meeting; keynote speakers included Dr Martha Campbell, University of California, Berkeley and David Nicholson Lord, Environment Writer, Trustee of the New Economics Foundation and research associate of the Optimum Population Trust.
Please find enclosed invitation and agenda for the AGM together with a PSN newsletter as appendix 17.
October 2005: Abortion Rights meeting: Defend the time limit – Defend a woman’s right to choose Christine McCafferty MP was a key note speaker at the Abortion Rights meeting. The meeting was organised to challenge the latest attacks on the upper abortion limit in the 13 UK following the Ultra Sound Scan (USS) images of 20-24 foetuses in the UK press. Baroness Gould, Laura Moffatt MP and Emily Thornberry MP also spoke, as well as Melody Drnach, National Organisation of Women, Diana Holland, Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) and Jo Slamon, National Union of Students’ (NUS) National Women’s Officer. Unfortunately Polly Toynbee, Guardian columnist, sent her apologies.
Please find enclosed invitation and chair’s presentation as well as the Abortion Rights campaign postcard as appendix 18.
Please also find enclosed some articles as appendix 19.
November 2005: UK SRHR Network meeting The APPG on PD&RH was represented at the November UK SRHR Network meeting on linked responses to SRH and HIV/AIDS. Former MP and Chair of the 2004 APPG on PD&RH Hearings on linking SRHR and HIV/AIDS Tony Worthington, spoke at the event. Discussions also evolved around the forthcoming World Summit. Ann Mette Kjaerby updated participants on responses to PQs on SRHR and the World Summit. DfID is supportive and working towards a target on Reproductive Health within the MDG framework.
Please find enclosed agenda for meeting as appendix 20.
Please also find enclosed an article by MSI in the House Magazine on Safe Motherhood and DfID as appendix 21.
November 2005: Snapshots of change film event The APPG on PD&RH was represented at the Snapshots film event. Short films were shown on women’s rights and equality. Panellists at the event included Dr Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director, United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN- HABITAT), Meg Munn MP, Minister for Women & Equality and Professor Naila Kabeer, Institute of Development Studies. A lively discussion on progress towards women’s equality followed.
Please find enclosed invitation and pamphlet from the event as appendix 22.
November 2005: APPG Pro-Choice and Sexual Health Group meeting The APPG on PD&RH was represented at the APPG Pro-Choice meeting where Caroline Davey from Family Planning Association (FPA) spoke about Economics and Sexual Health and Dr Meera Kishen, President of the Faculty of Family Planning spoke about the quality of contraception on the ground.
Please find enclosed minutes and presentations from the meeting as appendix 23.
November 2005: United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) briefing with peer educators Members of the APPG on PD&RH attended the UNICEF briefing meeting. UNICEF presented an overview of their work and a peer educator from Botswana talked about his community’s work to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Please find enclosed invitation as appendix 24.
December 2005: Society of the Protection of the Unborn Child (SPUC) Abortion Law reform meeting The APPG on PD&RH was represented at the SPUC Abortion Law reform meeting where Gianna Jessen spoke about her experience of surviving an abortion.
Please find enclosed information on the event as appendix 25.
14 January 2006: DfID Rough Guide to a Better World launch The APPG on PD&RH was represented at DfID’s ‘Rough Guide to a Better World’ launch at DfID’s headquarters.
Please find enclosed press release as appendix 26.
January 2006: APPG on Friends of Islam meeting Christine McCafferty MP is also the chair of the APPG on Friends of Islam and chaired this meeting on: The concept of honour and women in Islam, in theory and practice.
Please find enclosed invitation and background briefing and info on panellists as appendix 27.
January 2006: British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) briefing Christine McCafferty MP was briefed on UK Sexual Health and HIV by the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV. A further briefing dinner invitation was received soon after, which unfortunately Christine McCafferty MP was unable to attend.
Please find enclosed letter requesting a meeting and dinner invitation as appendix 28.
Please find enclosed articles on declining UK Sexual Health as appendix 29.
January 2006: International Development (Reporting and Transparency) Bill reception Christine McCafferty MP and other group members attended the evening reception organised in preparation for the 2nd reading of Tom Clarke MP’s private members bill on International Development (Reporting and Transparency) Bill. Gordon Brown MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jemima Khan and Bob Geldof all spoke at the event in favour of the Bill.
Please find enclosed invitation as appendix 30.
February 2006: APPG on AIDS meeting on The Global Fund: Progress to Date and Challenges for 2006 briefing The APPG on PD&RH was represented at The Global Fund: Progress to Date and Challenges for 2006 briefing meeting organised by the APPG on AIDS.
Please find enclosed invitation and minutes of meeting as appendix 31.
February 2006: APPG on AIDS and Pro-Choice Valentines Day meeting Members of the APPG on PD&RH attended the joint APPGs on AIDS and Pro-Choice’s Valentines briefing meeting. The UK FPA, Terrence Higgins Trust and BASHH presented surveys on UK SRHR services. Presentations also included information on the upcoming contraceptive awareness week and a new campaign to raise awareness of access to GUM clinics.
Please find enclosed invitation as appendix 32.
15 Please find enclosed articles on UK Sexual Health as appendix 33.
February 2006: HIV International & Working Group on AIDS Meeting The APPG on PD&RH was represented at Jodi Jacobson, Executive Director, Centre for Health and Gender Equity’s briefing on: ‘Is the US Preventing Effective HIV/AIDS Prevention?’.
Please find enclosed briefing and minutes from the meeting as appendix 34.
March 2006: Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) AGM The APPG on PD&RH was represented at the HFEA AGM. Caroline Flint MP, PUSS for Public Health, Department of Health (DoH) was the key note speaker. Presentations throughout the day covered: The review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Act, patients as consumers, new scientific developments, what should regulation look like in the future and how to manage multiple births.
Please find enclosed invitation, full agenda and Caroline Flint MP, PUSS for Public Health’s speech as appendix 35.
Please find enclosed numerous press articles on infertility and human fertilisation and a summary of the scale of infertility in the UK as appendix 36.
March 2006: The Burden of HIV & AIDS Care on Women and Girls meeting The APPG on PD&RH were represented at the APPG on AIDS and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) discussion on the burden of HIV and AIDS care on women and girls. Key note speakers were from Parliament, DfID, VSO, International Confederation of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (ICW) and the Earth Institute at Columbia University.
Please find enclosed invitation as appendix 37.
March 2006: Mother’s Day campaign launch APPG on PD&RH members attended the Mother’s Day Campaign for Safe Motherhood Worldwide organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat. Christine McCafferty MP was a key note speaker at the event.
Please find enclosed invitation and chair’s speech together with correspondence on the event between Chair and Gareth Thomas MP, PUSS for ID as appendix 38.
March 2006: APPG on AIDS UNGASS+5 briefing meeting The APPG on PD&RH was represented at the APPG on AIDS UNGASS+5 meeting.
Please find enclosed invitation sent to group members as appendix 39.
Organon laboratories briefings: Throughout the year, members of the APPG on PD&RH have been briefed by Organon laboratories on teenage pregnancy and long acting contraceptives. Discussions evolved around government policies on teenage pregnancies and contraceptives. Organon also 16 discussed their new interactive website and future SRHR campaigns. Christine McCafferty MP tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) on the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance on long term contraception which can be read under EDMs.
Please find enclosed a letter of communication as appendix 40.
Please find enclosed an article on NICE and long acting contraceptives as appendix 41.
GlaxoSmithKline briefings: Several members of the APPG on PD&RH were briefed by GlaxoSmithKline this year on the provision of HIV testing for newly confirmed residents in the UK.
Please find enclosed a letter of communication as appendix 42.
European Meetings Inter-European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (IEPFPD) The close collaboration between the UK APPG on PD&RH and the IEPFPD and its member organisations have continued throughout this year. Martyn Jones MP, sadly decided to stand down from being the UK APPG on PD&RH representative to the IEPFPD council this year. The UK group will propose a new candidate at the 2006 Autumn Council meeting.
UK APPG on PD&RH members and advisor have participated in IEPFPD meetings, conferences and study tours.
Many enquiries and requests for information from other APPG on PD&RH secretariats have been dealt with either via telephone or e-mail, directly or via the IEPFPD.
Certain requests for information have been referred to the UK APPG on PD&RH website which is updated regularly with House of Commons (HoC) and HoL Parliamentary activities along with group activities.
June 2005: IEPFPD Council and Annual General Meeting in Edinburgh The IEPFPD AGM took place in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on 7th June in conjunction with the G8 International Parliamentary Conference on Development in Africa. As the meeting was so close to the UK General Election, no MPs were able to attend the AGM. Ann Mette Kjaerby instead attended on behalf of the APPG on PD&RH. Parliamentary activities were presented and discussed together with IEPFPD statutory matters.
Please find enclosed outline of IEPFPD council meeting as appendix 43.
February 2006: IEPFPD workshop on Advocacy around the MDGs and APPG on PD&RH Secretariat meeting, Brussels, Belgium Ann Mette Kjaerby attended the IEPFPD meeting on advocacy around the MDGs and the secretariat workshop meetings in Brussels. A broad group of 37 participants were invited to get a better understanding of what is next for SRHR in the MDGs. Priority actions to keep SRHR on the MDG agenda after the World Summit was discussed and actions agreed upon.
At the secretariat’s meeting, the IEPFPD annual programme of activities was presented. As well as discussing the IEPFPD activities, advisors discussed general secretariat work.
Please find enclosed invitation and agenda as well as participation list as appendix 44.
17 February 2006: IEPFPD and Catholics for a Free Choice (CFFC) media training workshop, Budapest, Hungary Baroness Thomas was scheduled to attend the IEPFPD and CFFC media training workshop in February 2006, however unfortunately it was cancelled and rescheduled for later in the year, when she was unable to attend.
Please find enclosed invitation as appendix 45.
European Non Governmental Organisations (EuroNGO) At the end of 2005, the EuroNGO Steering Committee and its Secretariat, with support from a volunteer consultant, organised a mid-term review of the EuroNGOs Project, which identified major challenges and key achievements. It highlighted the importance of EuroNGOs in providing a space for building understanding between its members and coming together at strategic moments, but regretted the lack of common strategy to ensure that all members –small and large NGOs – benefit equally from membership.
The mid-term review provided several recommendations that EuroNGOs leadership is addressing for the remainder of the Project and as arrangements are made for managing the network beyond 2006.
The APPG on PD&RH completed the survey disseminated in November 2005 for the Mid Term Review of EuroNGOs.
Please find enclosed the survey appendix 46.
Advisor continues to be updated on European and International SRHR campaigns and advocacy work through the EuroNGO e-mail list.
Please find enclosed EuroNGOs new leaflet as appendix 47.
Council of Europe Christine McCafferty MP remains a member of the Social Health and Family Committee in the Council of Europe (CoE). Advisor has been in regular contact with the CoE secretariat to support Christine McCafferty MP in her SRHR activities in the CoE.
March 2006: IPPF European Network meeting, Brussels Christine McCafferty MP was invited as a guest speaker to IPPF European Network seminar on: Global Leadership in SRHR, Luxembourg. Christine McCafferty MP spoke about the work and priorities of the CoE and her CoE SRHR Strategy.
Please find enclosed programme, thank you letter to Christine McCafferty MP for speaking at the seminar, her speech and the participant list as appendix 48.
European Strategy on HIV/AIDS Christine McCafferty MP prepared and presented the second draft HIV/AIDS Strategy Report and Resolution to the CoE in May 2006. Advisor was involved in the preparation of the strategy.
In support of the HIV/AIDS Strategy Christine McCafferty MP and the new assistant to the APPG on PD&RH, Kari Mawhood, attended the CoE hearing in Moscow supported by the NGO Transatlantic Partners against AIDS.
A study tour to visit AIDS Infoshare project sites followed the hearings. AIDS Infoshare is a Russian NGO specialising in AIDS services and information to its indigenous population.
Please find enclosed agenda and info on meeting as appendix 49.
Also in support of the CoE HIV/AIDS strategy a study tour was organised to Spain. The study tour will take place in the Spring of 2006 in collaboration with the Spanish FPA and 18 with support from the IEPFPD. The case study will form part of the final CoE HIV/AIDS Strategy.
Please find enclosed study tour programme as appendix 50.
Study Tours Bangladesh The newly elected MP and UK APPG on PD&RH member Lyn Brown MP, participated in the IEPFPD and UNFPA February 2006, Bangladesh study tour.
The European MP’s visited the European Commission and UNFPA Reproductive Health Initiative for Young People in Asia.
Please find enclosed cover letter to Lyn Brown MP, study tour programme, press on the study tour and general follow up communications as appendix 51.
Lyn Brown MP was also due to participate in the Ethiopian study tour in the spring of 2006 organised by the IEPFPD, however unfortunately she had to cancel at the last minute.
China The press and UK Ministers continue to quote and make reference to the UK MP’s study tour to China, which concluded that:” UNFPA is a force for good in China”. One of the study tour members was Edward Leigh MP, an outspoken opponent of UNFPA in the UK Parliament, prior to the study tour.
Please find enclosed press release as appendix 52.
When UK MPs or Peers express regret or contempt in Parliamentary debates to UK support to UNFPA, due to their work in China, the APPG on PD&RH forward the UK MP’s China study tour report and a covering letter.
Please find enclosed correspondence with David Amess MP, who continues to oppose UNFPA funding as appendix 53.
General Written Briefings Group members have received UNFPA’s Global Population Policy and Opposition updates regularly throughout the year.
July 2005: All members received a copy of Population Action International’s (PAI) UK Population briefing: Development Assistance: Policy and Funding.
Please find enclosed briefing as appendix 54.
19 October 2005: All members received the following 3 written briefings:
• UNFPA’s state of the world population report 2005: The Promise and Equality: Gender Equity, Reproductive Health and the MDGs • CFFC news journal, Conscience • PAI summary and recommendations on progress and promises in trends in international assistance for Reproductive Health and Population
Please find enclosed covering letter and the three briefings as appendix 55.
October 2005: Selected members were forwarded the PSN response to DfID’s Environment Position Paper.
Please find enclosed e-mail and the PSN response as appendix 56.
October 2005: Selected members received the article: “World Bank willing to fund birth control program article.”
Please find enclosed the article as appendix 57.
October 2005: Selected members received the Catholics for a Free Choice letter on the Catholic Action Group (CAG) a small but very vocal new conservative group in the UK that is opposed to initiatives concerning sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Please find enclosed CFFC letter and the CAG report as appendix 58.
October 2005: Selected members received the Lancet Population Article by John Cleland and Steven Sinding: High Fertility Hampers African Anti-Poverty Drive.
Please find enclosed e-mail, press article and the article as appendix 59.
November 2005: Committee members received a copy of the World Population Data Sheet published by the Population Reference Bureau.
Please find enclosed cover letter and the data sheet as appendix 60.
November 2005: All members received an invitation and a copy of UNICEF’s global campaign report, highlighting children as the missing face in the AIDS campaign. Selected members were forwarded hard copies of the report upon request.
Please find enclosed the invitation and a request for hard copy as appendix 61.
Please find enclosed UNICEF article: ‘unite for children – united against AIDS’, from the House Magazine, 31st October 2005, as appendix 62.
December 2005: Selected members received the British Medical Journal (BMJ) article: “Cost effectiveness analysis of Strategies to Combat HIV/AIDS in Developing Countries.”
Please find enclosed article circulated as appendix 63.
December 2005: A member particularly interested in UK Sexual Health and Relationship issues received a copy of the article: “Sex and Relationship Education.”
Please find enclosed e-mail and article as appendix 64.
January 2006: All members were forwarded the following two briefings:
• From choice, a world of possibilities, IPPF’s Annual Report 2004 • SRHR and HIV/AIDS: A Framework for Priority Linkages, World Health Organization (WHO), UNFPA, UNAIDS and IPPF 20
Please find enclosed cover letter and briefings as appendix 65.
January 2006: Selected members requested briefings disseminated at the APPG on PD&RH committee meeting in January 2006. Briefings forwarded were: The UK SRHR Network Response to EU Statement on HIV Prevention for an AIDS Free Generation; UK Work on International Unsafe Abortion; info on the 2005 World Summit and the Millennium Development Goals outcome on reproductive health as well as the article: “The draft report on development strategy for Africa which calls for greater access to abortion.”
Please find enclosed briefings as appendix 66.
January 2006: The APPG on PD&RH new leaflet and strategy was circulated to all group members.
Please find enclosed leaflet with strategy and covering letter as appendix 67.
February 2006: A member particularly interested in the Health Metrics Network was sent a full briefing on the network.
Please find enclosed the full briefing as appendix 68.
February 2006: All members received the three briefings:
• IPPF publication: Death and Denial: Unsafe Abortion and Poverty • The 2005 World Summit commitments on Reproductive Health • ‘On the page’ book mark campaign by Commonwealth Medical Trust
Please find enclosed covering letter and briefings as appendix 69.
February 2006: All members received the APPG on PD&RH Annual Report 2004-2005 and the Strasbourg Statement of Commitment poster
Please find enclosed covering letter and statement as appendix 70.
February 2006: A member particularly interested in UK Chlamydia screening received an article and briefings on the subject.
Please find enclosed the Chlamydia article and briefings as appendix 71.
February 2006: All members received the APPG on PD&RH newsletter No 10.
Please find enclosed newsletter as appendix 72.
March 2006: All members were circulated Ms Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA’s International Women’s Day message.
Please find enclosed statement circulated as appendix 73.
March 2006: A member particularly interested in ‘the Silver Ring’ was forwarded the latest report stating that the United States (US) Government had agreed to stop funding the organisation.
Please find enclosed report as appendix 74.
21 General Correspondence Committee members and the advisor continue to hold both formal and informal meetings and correspond regularly throughout the year with a variety of both national and international SRHR and HIV/AIDS stakeholders and press people including:
DfID and Defra officials, MPs, Ministers, UN officials, national, regional and international APPG secretariats and MPs, Trust Funds, Foundations, academic staff and national and independent health journalists.
Regular discussions and meetings have taken place with staff from IPPF, MSI, Interact Worldwide, UK SRHR Network, PSN, APPG AIDS, APPG Pro-Choice and Sexual Health, UNFPA, WHO, IEPFPD, Asian Forum for Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD), PAI, CoE, LSHTM and CFFC. Chair and advisor have also spent time completing questionnaires on European Parliamentary advocacy work for EuroNGO and individual SRHR organisations.
Upon request the group also commented on IPPF’s Global Safe Abortion Fund draft concept paper.
Please find enclosed comments as appendix 75.
Many general enquiries about the groups work have been dealt with by referring people to the group’s website, which is updated regularly.
Advisor and assistant met with UNICEF Parliamentary Officer for a mutual briefing on group’s activities and upcoming events.
Please find enclosed minutes of meeting as appendix 76.
Parliamentary Statements, Debates, Questions and Early Day Motions Below are statements, debates, PQs and EDMs relating to SRHR/Population issues, which are all easily accessible via the group’s website.
Briefings were prepared by advisor for debates and PQs, upon request.
House of Commons Statements March: Innovative Financing for Development Gordon Brown MP, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced that at the conference on innovative financing for development in Paris that week, France and the UK had set out their commitment to move forward on these issues.
In 2005, significant progress had been made in delivering 100 per cent multilateral debt relief. The international community also committed to increase aid by $50 billion and the European Union committed to double aid by 2010, reaching 0.7 per cent of Gross National Product (GNP) by 2015.
The G8 in 2005 also agreed to provide universal access to HIV/AIDS by 2010 and the UK is committed to spend £1.5 billion on HIV/AIDS over the next three years.
The UK has also agreed to support the French proposal for an International Purchase Facility, which will provide greater access to those in developing countries, to much- needed drugs to tackle HIV/AIDS and malaria.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard as appendix 77.
22 March 2006: Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV (Annual Report) Caroline Flint MP, PUSS for Public Health announced the Government’s response to the third annual report from the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV, published in October 2005. The reports’ recommendations were grouped under four headings: delivering improved services; developing new services; enhancing professional skills and promoting sexual health and wellbeing in the 21st century.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard, briefing circulated from the FPA, the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV and a briefing by advisor, as well as the summary of the Governments response to the report as appendix 78.
March 2006: Health - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act. Caroline Flint MP, PUSS for Public Health announced the publishing of a report on the review of the HFE Act consultation, which has received a total of 535 responses.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard and report cover and contents pages as appendix 79.
Debates April 2005: HIV/AIDS Overseas Nigel Evans MP, a group member, was successful in securing an adjournment debate on HIV/AIDS Overseas. Various members participated in this general HIV/AIDS debate. Dr Jenny Tonge MP raised the issue of increased funding needed for an AIDS vaccine.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard as appendix 80.
June 2005: Africa (Poverty) The Africa (Poverty) debate was welcomed by members in the week before the G8 summit to discuss the great moral and practical challenges ahead in order to eradicate poverty in Africa.
Various group members participate in the debate including, Christine McCafferty MP who spoke about the need to link SRHR and HIV/AIDS services, the need for increased funding to Family Planning (FP) commodities and the need for women to be able to access SRHR services to empower women and end poverty.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard as appendix 81.
July 2005: Abortion Time Limits Dr Evan Harris MP was successful in securing an adjournment debate on the Abortion Time Limit in the UK. Various group members participated alongside anti-choice MPs.
The main point for discussion was the possibility of the Government reviewing the Abortion Act 1967 revised by the HFE Act in 2000. The Minister was clear that she did not think it necessary to review the abortion legislation as foetal viability has not really changed despite the four-dimensional images shown in recent press articles.
Discussions took place around improving access to early abortions and medical abortions.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard as appendix 82.
October 2005 and March 2006: Prohibition of Abortion Private Members Bill Lawrance Robertson MP’s Prohibition of Abortion Bill did not receive a 2nd reading in March, as it was shouted out and it fell before March 2006, when it was scheduled to be read again.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard, the Private Members Bill and a briefing disseminated to members as appendix 83.
23 November 2005: Breastfeeding 10 Minute Rule Bill Various group members supported David Kidney MP in his 10 Minute Rule Bill, which would make it an offence to prevent or stop a person in charge of a child who is otherwise permitted to be in a public place, from feeding milk to that child in that place or on those premises.
The Bill unfortunately did not become law unlike Scotland, where a similar bill became law, prohibiting people from stopping women breastfeeding in public.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard as appendix 84.
Please find enclosed article on the Breastfeeding Bill as appendix 85.
January 2006: International Development (Reporting and Transparency) Bill Various group members participated in the second reading of the International Development (Reporting and Transparency) Bill, which was a private member’s bill prepared by Tom Clarke MP to ensure improved accountability and transparency of UK International Development.
The bill was well received by the Government and passed its second reading. Third Reading is scheduled for June 2006.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard and briefing as appendix 86.
January 2006: Health Services (Developing Countries) Various members participated in the Health Services (Developing Countries) debate. The debate covered many different subjects including population growth and its impact on health services, brain drain and what to do about it, maternal and child mortality and morbidity and how to respond to the continued high death rate, as well as funding to SRHR and the shortage of SRHR commodities. Abolishing user fees was also discussed for SRHR services.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard and briefings prepared as appendix 87.
February 2006: Sexual Health (HIV/AIDS) Various members participated in the Sexual Health debate, which was linked specifically but not exclusively to the Health Select Committee reports in 2004-2005 and the Governments response to the reports. In preparation for the debate the APPG on PD&RH forwarded some Select Committee members and group members the recent survey prepared by FPA on local delivery plans that Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) have produced in answer to the issue of how to meet the 2008 target. The main problem being that not enough investment is going into SRHR services to reach the target and especially abortion, contraception and HIV are less likely to be priorities by PCTs without public service agreements and central targets.
Christine McCafferty MP participated in the debate and spoke about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and the 48 hour GUM access target, which is not being reached and the need to also focus on prevention with an emphasis on having specialised teacher in schools to teach sex and relationship education (SRE) as well as ensuring better access to services for young people.
Christine McCafferty MP also made reference to the neglected contraceptive and abortion services. Better and greater choice need to be offered, especially for young people.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard and briefings disseminated as appendix 88.
February 2006: China (Human Rights) David Amess MP, and the greatest opponent of UNFPA in the UK Parliament was successful in securing a debate on Human Rights in China. David Amess MP spoke 24 about funding to China’s Family Planning and Reproductive Health programme in response to his concerns about forced abortion and sterilisations in China. He once again raised his concerns about the UK Government funding UNFPA because of its work in China, in contrast to the US Government, which has repeatedly over the last few years not released funding to UNFPA, against the congress majority vote to fund the organisation.
The Foreign Office Minister, Ian Pearson MP replying to David Amess MP, made reference to the fact that recent developments in China outlaw any coercion in the course of FP activities.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard as appendix 89.
February 2006: Tackling Health Inequalities Various members participated in the Tackling Health Inequalities debate. The Minister made reference to the cross departmental strategy launched in 2003, which sets out four themes to tackle health inequalities: supporting mothers, families and children; preventing illness; providing effective treatment and care; and, importantly, addressing the underlying determinants of health. She also made reference to the Governments maximum 48 hr waiting time target for sexual health services and to the fact that alcohol intake is linked to poorer sexual health.
Members raised the issue of the continued high rate of teenage pregnancies in the UK which the Government is trying to tackle, with some, but little success.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard as appendix 90.
March 2006: Violence against Women Various members participated in the Women’s debate in connection with the International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration on 8th March. The theme for this year’s IWD was: Women in decision making: Meeting Challenges, Creating Changes.
Most speeches concentrated on UK domestic violence which is the leading cause of morbidity in women between the ages of 19 and 44. 30 per cent of pregnant women in the UK have experienced domestic violence whilst pregnant.
Christine McCafferty MP’s speech focussed on international violence against women, which occurs from birth to death. Christine McCafferty MP made specific reference to the World Summit outcome document, which calls for universal access to SRH to be integrated into strategies for achieving the MDGs as a means to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard and briefing prepared as appendix 91.
March 2006: World Poverty A new member of DfID’s select committee, Ann McKechin MP, secured an adjournment debate on World Poverty. The debate particularly focussed on social transfers and DfID’s forthcoming White Paper.
The Minister agreed that social transfers are important to end world poverty and strengthen the democratic accountability of the state to its citizens; however many countries do not have the capacity to fully implement social transfer programmes.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard as appendix 92.
March 2006: Adjournment (Easter) Debate Various MPs once again brought up the issue of reviewing the UK Abortion Act 1967 during the Easter Adjournment Debate, with particular reference to bringing down the abortion limit, in most cases to between 16 - 22 weeks, as opposed to the current 24 weeks limit for most terminations. The anti-choice MP David Amess MP, was once again 25 very outspoken on the issue. The Government remained firm on not changing the Act, at present.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard as appendix 93.
Early Day Motions EDM 196 - Linking Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS Christine McCafferty MP
80 signatures
Christine McCafferty MP tabled this EDM, supported by group members, to highlight the APPG on PD&RH’s report on linking SRHR and HIV/AIDS.
That this House welcomes the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Population, Development and Reproductive Health's Report, `Linking Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS'; notes that stronger linkages between sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS are needed in order to combat HIV/AIDS and to improve maternal and child health; and recognises that taking action on one will also help to tackle the other.
Please find enclosed list of MPs signing EDM as appendix 94.
EDM 294 - Sexual and Reproductive Health and the Millennium Development Goals Christine McCafferty MP
129 signatures
Christine McCafferty MP, supported by group members and other MPs, tabled this EDM, which urges DfID to emphasis the centrality of SRHR towards achieving the MDGs at the Millennium Summit.
That this House is appalled that every year over 500,000 women, living in developing countries, die in pregnancy or childbirth as a result of preventable causes and that millions more suffer ill health and disability; acknowledges that at least three quarters of global HIV infections are sexually transmitted and that women of reproductive age are most at risk; recognises that the implementation of the millennium development goals (MDGs) is necessary to reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS and promote gender equality; further acknowledges the importance of sexual and reproductive health for achieving all the MDGs, as recognised by the UN Secretary General, the UN Millennium Project, the EU, Commission for Africa, national governments, and international agencies and bodies including the WHO, UNFPA and UNAIDS; welcomes the strong stance on sexual and reproductive health taken by the Department for International Development; and urges that the UK Statement at the Millennium Review Summit emphasises the centrality of sexual and reproductive health towards achieving the MDGs.
Please find enclosed list of MPs signing EDM as appendix 95.
EDM 452 - Council of Europe Convention on Trafficking Sandra Gidley MP 123 signatures
Sandra Gidley MP, a group member, supported by other members tabled this EDM, which calls upon the Government to sign and rectify the new CoE Convention against Trafficking, especially as the UK lacks many measures needed to protect and support people who have been trafficked into the country.
That this House notes with concern that trafficking of women, children and men is a growing problem in the UK, and that 32 out of 33 London boroughs have identified a problem with trafficked children; welcomes the fact that trafficking for sexual and labour exploitation are criminal offences in the UK, but is dismayed at the lack of measures needed to protect and support people who have been trafficked into the country, including safe housing and emergency medical support; and calls upon the Government urgently to sign and ratify the new Council of 26 Europe Convention Against Trafficking, which is specifically aimed at protecting trafficked people's rights, and for the UK to use its presidency of the EU to encourage other member states to do the same.
Please find enclosed list of MPs signing EDM as appendix 96.
EDM 687 - Superdrug Sex Tax Campaign Lynne Jones MP 71 signatures
Lynne Jones MP, supported by various members, including group members, tabled this EDM, which congratulates Superdrug on reducing VAT on its condoms.
That this House supports Superdrug's campaign for the reduction of VAT on condoms; notes that thousands of employees and customers have signed the store's `sex tax' petition supporting the Company's call that condoms should be classed as an essential health item and not a luxury item; commends Superdrug for permanently cutting the VAT from its own brand condoms in May; notes that over £7 million is currently paid in VAT on condoms each year whilst, according to the Independent Advisory Group for Sexual Health and HIV report, the use of condoms saves an estimated £2.5 billion a year through the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies; is concerned that reported cases of HIV are on the increase and that Britain has the highest incidence of teenage pregnancies in Europe; believes that the use of condoms is the best way to cut both these worrying statistics and that a reduction in VAT would help promote their use; recognises that due to its position as an EU member state, the UK cannot entirely remove VAT on condoms but can reduce it to five per cent.; and therefore calls upon the UK Government to make this reduction without delay.
Please find enclosed list of MPs signing EDM as appendix 97.
Please find enclosed press articles on the Catholic Church and condoms as appendix 98.
EDM 741 - Cervical Cancer Anne Snelgrove MP 137 signatures
Following the discovery of the first vaccine preventing the development of cervical cancer in women, Anne Snelgrove MP, congratulated the research scientists in this EDM. The EDM was co-sponsored by various group members.
That this House congratulates the research scientists who discovered the first vaccine proven to prevent the development of cervical cancer in women; notes that cervical cancer claims the lives of 1,000 women each year in the UK and leads to early hysterectomies, thus ending women's hopes of having children; recognises that the vaccine has the potential over time to end the burden of cervical smears, colposcopies and related treatment; and looks forward to the early availability of the first vaccine against the causes of cancer.
Please find enclosed list of MPs signing EDM as appendix 99.
EDM 829 - Confidentiality of Sexual Health Advice for Young People Stephen Williams MP 72 signatures
Following media coverage on young people and confidential advice on sexual health, Stephen Williams MP tabled this EDM. Various group members co-sponsored the EDM urging the Government to protect the right to confidentiality for all young people.
That this House commends the new campaign `Wise Up! Your rights on sexual health' launched by Brook, the sexual health charity for young people, which aims to protect young people's right to confidentiality in discussing matters of sexual health; notes that this campaign is supported by organisations including the British Medical Association, the General Medical Council, the Royal College of Nursing and the National Youth Agency; further notes that a recent survey by Brook found that 64 per cent. of young people, and 74 per cent. of young people under 16 years, said they would be less likely to seek advice on sexual health issues if they knew that health workers 27 could pass on information about underage sexual activity to social workers; recognises that doctors can already breach young people's confidentiality where this is necessary to protect them from serious harm such as sexual abuse, but that any plans to make it compulsory to share information about the sexual activity of young people will be a strong disincentive for young people to receive sexual health advice and services, which could lead to a large increase in the number of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections; and urges the Government to protect the right to confidentiality for all young people discussing matters of sexual health.
Please find enclosed list of MPs signing EDM as appendix 100.
Please find enclosed articles on young people in the UK and confidentiality as appendix 101.
EDM 1056 - National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and Contraception Christine McCafferty MP 81 signatures
Following briefings and press on the new NICE guidelines on family planning method mix, Christine McCafferty MP, tabled this EDM, supported by both group and non group members.
That this House supports the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommendation that all women aged over 16 years should be offered a much wider choice of contraception, including injections and the coil; and that information on such contraception should be a part of sex education from school age, thus helping to reduce unwanted pregnancies by nearly 70,000 per year.
Please find enclosed list of MPs signing EDM as appendix 102.
EDM 1091 - Progress Report on United Nations Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS Neil Gerrard MP 81 signatures
To encourage the UK Government to submit a UK country HIV/AIDS review report to the UNGASS 2006, Neil Gerrard MP, tabled this EDM, which was co-sponsored by various group members.
That this House notes that in 2003 the United Kingdom did not submit, as required, a progress report on its compliance with the UN Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS adopted in June 2001 by all UN Member States as a commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS within their own countries and which sets out targets on key HIV-related issues, including prevention, treatment, and human rights, to be assessed periodically; further notes that all countries are required to submit another progress report at the review of the UN Declaration of Commitment in 2006; further notes that the Department of Health is responsible for drafting and submitting the progress report; and calls on the Government to submit a progress report as required and to make the report a public document.
Please find enclosed list of MPs signing EDM as appendix 103.
EDM 1155 - Sexual Health and the Sex, Lives and Politics Campaign Celia Barlow MP
54 signatures
The new APPG on PD&RH member, Celia Barlow MP, tabled this EDM, to raise the profile of the Governments promise to cut GUM waiting times to 48 hrs and, to welcome the £73 million of investment allocated to deal with the rise in STIs and to encourage the Government to cut VAT on condoms.
That this House welcomes the Sex, Lives and Politics Campaign run by Labour students and the Terrence Higgins Trust; calls on the Government to deliver on its pledge to cut waiting times for an initial genito-urinary medicine appointment to 48 hours; welcomes the £73 million of 28 investment allocated to deal with the rise in sexually-transmitted infections; and calls on the Government to cut VAT on condoms from 17.5 per cent. to five per cent.
Please find enclosed list of MPs signing EDM as appendix 104.
EDM 1443 - Global AIDS Targets Jeremy Hunt MP
264 signatures
Following the target set to provide universal access to anti-retroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS sufferers by 2010, Jeremy Hunt MP, tabled this EDM calling for interim targets. Many group members co-sponsored the EDM
That this House strongly welcomes the target to provide universal access to anti-retroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS sufferers by 2010 as an invaluable contribution to economic growth and poverty reduction in the world's poorest countries; notes that the UK Department for International Development is co-chairing the UN steering group with responsibility for the 2010 target; believes that any strategy to promote the availability of HIV/AIDS treatment drugs must go together with an increased emphasis on preventing the spread of the disease; and strongly urges the Government to secure the agreement of the international community for interim targets to be put in place and published which commit the UK and other G8 nations to concrete and measurable milestones between now and 2010 to ensure that the universal access target is met.
Please find enclosed list of MPs signing EDM as appendix 105.
EDM 1601 - Contraception and Information Technology Christine McCafferty MP
54 signatures
Following various briefings and concerns raised by professional organisations on the lack of family planning method choice Christine McCafferty MP tabled this EDM
That this House believes that balanced, accurate information covering all methods of contraception is important in helping individuals and couples make informed choices about their contraceptive needs, that the availability of such information from appropriate sources, outside the clinical setting, has an important role to play, alongside education, advice and counselling from healthcare professionals and that new information technology, such as the internet, does provide valuable, confidential information on sexual health, especially for young people, provided access is safe and easy.
Please find enclosed list of MPs signing EDM as appendix 106.
EDM 1859 - Safe Motherhood Campaign Sally Keeble MP
87 signatures
In connection with the Safe Motherhood Campaign, Sally Keeble MP, tabled this EDM, which was co-sponsored by the chair of the APPG on PD&RH and other group members.
That this House notes that 600,000 women die needlessly in childbirth every year, almost all of them in developing countries; supports the call to action by the World Health Organisation and Commonwealth Secretariat to improve maternity services worldwide; and calls on the UK Government to press for securely funded health systems worldwide with universal coverage of critical health interventions for women and girls, an end to financial barriers in accessing healthcare and respect for women's decisions in all matters relating to their health and well-being.
Please find enclosed list of MPs signing EDM as appendix 107.
29 Oral PQs May 2005: AIDS Orphans Alistair Burt MP spoke about the issue of AIDS Orphans. According to UN Statistics 14 million children under 15 have lost parents to AIDS in Africa.
Christine McCafferty MP had a supplementary PQ on equal access to antiretrovials therapies with specific reference to women accessing treatment.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard as appendix 108.
June 2005: Female Genital Mutilation Ann Clwyd MP spoke about the lack of FGM prosecutions in the UK despite tightened legislation. Christine McCafferty MP had a supplementary PQ where she complemented the Home Office and the DoH for their combined work on FGM.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard as appendix 109.
July 2005: Business of the House – International Development Christine McCafferty MP raised the issue of International Development PQs being allocated only 30 minutes as opposed to many other Government Departments that are allocated one hour.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard as appendix 110.
October 2005: Border Security – Trafficking of Women Christine McCafferty MP had a supplementary PQ on trafficking of women. The Minister said that there has been extensive progress in terms of curbing trafficking. Human trafficking is a cornerstone of all that the Department does in the Justice and Home Affairs Council, during the UK presidency.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard as appendix 111.
October 2005: Business of the House - International Development Christine McCafferty MP once again raised the question of International Development being allocated one full hour for questioning to give International Development the same status as many other departments.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard as appendix 112.
October 2005: Abortions David T.C. Davies MP spoke about the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), the DoH’s guidance for abortion services and referrals to Spanish clinics for late abortions.
The Government replied that it will issue best practice guidance for abortion services in spring 2006 and the Minister corrected the MPs allegations by stating that BPAS did not break any laws by referring women to Spain for late abortions. Christine McCafferty MP had a supplementary question which raised the issue of funding for improved training for BPAS.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard as appendix 113.
November 2005: AIDS Christine McCafferty MP spoke about steps taken to improve links between SRHR and HIV/AIDS and ensuring a target on Reproductive Health (RH) within the MDG framework.
Gareth Thomas, MP and PUSS for ID reassured the house that the UK is working in the EU to achieve a target on RH within the MDG framework.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard as appendix 114. 30 January 2006: Global Fund Sandra Gidley MP, a group member, questioned how the Gleneagles universal access to AIDS treatment will be accomplished with the current $3.3 billion shortfall in funding.
Hilary Benn MP, the SS for ID informed the house that the UK has doubled its contribution and then doubled it again, but as was rightly mentioned more pledges are needed.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard as appendix 115.
January 2006: HIV/AIDS Nigel Evans MP, a group member, spoke about HIV/AIDS transmissions in the UK. He pressed the Secretary of State for Health on when the long promised sexual health campaign would be launched and if she would guarantee that it will focus on young people learning about how HIV is transmitted and how they can protect themselves against it.
The PUSS for Health said that there were 5,171 new diagnoses of HIV in England and Wales for 2005 reported by the end of December 2005.
Please find enclosed HoC Hansard as appendix 116.
March 2006: HIV/AIDS Evan Harris MP, a group member, spoke about the need for increased funding to achieve universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment in developing countries. The Chancellor of the Exchequer noted that the total funding gap is £16 billion.
The UK is the second largest donor in HIV/AIDS and is committed to spending £1.5 billion from 2005-2008. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which was to be a fund of $20 billion, is currently financed only to the tune of about $2.7 billion.
Please fine enclosed HoC Hansard as appendix 117.
Written PQs APPG on PD&RH members tabled a wide range of SRHR written PQ’s throughout the year including PQs on:
• Chlamydia in the UK • School Nurses in the UK • GUM in the UK • GUM clinics in the UK • Sexual Health in the UK • HIV/AIDS national and international • FGM • Safe Motherhood Campaign • United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) • HIV/AIDS prevention • Global Fund • Anti-retrovirals (ARVs) • DfID funding to SRHR • MDGs and SRHR
Other MPs tabled written PQs on:
• Women’s Rights • Women’s Health Services • Human Trafficking • Sex Industry • Population Control Policies 31 • Sexual Violence • Teenage Pregnancies in the UK • Honour Killings • Health Care in Africa • Health Workforce in Africa • Breastfeeding • SRE in the UK • Sexual Health Services • Morning After Pill • Cervical Smear Tests • Condoms • Eclampsia in Africa • Microbicides
David Amess MP one of the most outspoken anti-choice MPs prepared numerous written PQs throughout the year on national and international abortion issues, contraception, UNFPA and China.
House of Lords Debates June 2005: Africa Commission Various members participated in the Africa Commission debate, which focused on the Government’s response to the Commission’s report. The debate was wide ranging on issues including education and health; in particular HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Please find enclosed HoL Hansard as appendix 118.
October 2005: Education and Aid Programme Various members participated in the Education and Aid Programme debate. The Government was pressed on the role of education in their overseas aid programme. Concern was raised about the continued discrepancy in male and female education and the high tuition fees for overseas students in the UK.
The Minister reassured members that education is a well established priority for the Government’s aid programme. Education is a human right and women’s education is of particular importance. UNFPA’s report released the previous day was referenced, in that poverty cannot be won unless much greater efforts are made to give women equality.
The Minister ended by saying that: “we must ensure that the commitment to increased aid and debt relief, announced at the G8 this year, benefits education”.
Please find enclosed HoL Hansard as appendix 119.
December 2005: Female Genital Mutilation Various members participated in the FGM debate. Of particular concern was the issue of FGM and asylum seekers in the UK. The Minister reassured peers that the Government has published asylum policy instruction in March 2004 to guide caseworkers in assessing FGM claims. The policy reminds caseworkers to interpret the refugee convention correctly to be sensitive to claimants and make the process as accessible as possible. The UK Government will not return anybody to a situation, where they will face a real risk of being subjected to FGM or any other form of persecution.
Please find enclosed HoL Hansard as appendix 120.
December 2005: Honour Killings Various peers participated in the debate about Honour Killings in the UK. There have been 12 known honour killings in the UK and the Metropolitan Police are re-examining 117 possible cases. The UK Government have made statutory attempts to tackle the crime, in particular through the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004. 32 The Government however acknowledges that passing laws and introducing measures is not enough on its own. There also needs to be effective NGO campaigns and support groups against honour killings and international work is paramount to promoting gender equality and changing attitudes in order to eliminate gender stereotyping.
Please find enclosed HoL Hansard as appendix 121.
January 2006: G8 International Development Aid Various members participated in the G8 International Development Aid debate. HIV/AIDS had a high profile, however the unacceptable high incidence of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity was also raised including the work of the Partnership for Safe Motherhood.
Please find enclosed HoL Hansard as appendix 122.
March 2006: Women Various members participated in the Women’s debate in connection with IWD on 8th March.
Baroness Gould outlined the history of UK Acts, which have been instrumental in trying to ensure equality and empowerment of women in the UK. The gender gap however remains also in the UK.
Extracts and facts from the debate:
• I remember them saying, “Burn your bras”? A lot of our women in factories said to me, “Brenda, if we burn our bras there’ll be an increase in industrial accidents in this factory; • 45% of Liberal Democrat MEPs are women, compared with 33% for Labour and 8% for the Conservatives; • Almost half of all adult women in England and Wales have experienced at least 1 incident of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking; • In 2003, domestic violence alone accounted for a quarter of all violent crime; • In England and Wales, the rate of conviction for rape, with some guilty pleas, has decreased from 32% of cases reported in 1977 to 5.3% in 2003 and 2004; • More than 75% of 11 and 12-year-old boys thought that women should get hit if they make men angry; • Women between the ages of 20 and 45 who experience rape or sexual assault are most commonly assaulted by a current partner or ex-partner; • 30% of pregnant women in the UK have experienced domestic violence while pregnant; • A woman is killed every two or three days as a result of domestic violence; • Women are on average beaten more than 30 times before they go to the police; • Domestic violence costs the economy about £23 billion a year; • Female employment rose from 42% to 70% from 1971 to 2004.
Legislation for Women in the UK:
• Representation of the People Act 1918 • Abortion Act 1967 • Equal Pay Act 1970 • Sex Discrimination Act 1975 • Employment Protection Act 1975 • Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1976 • Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 • Work and Families Bill
Globally, domestic violence is the leading cause of morbidity among women aged 15 to 44, which is greater than war, malaria, cancer and motor vehicle accidents;
Women do 2/3 of the world's work but earn only 10 per cent of the world's income; This year Africa and Latin America got their first women presidents, in Liberia and Chile respectively.
33 Please find enclosed HoL Hansard as appendix 123.
March 2006: Democratic Republic of Congo Various peers raised the issue of gender-based violence and the decline in health in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the region. The minister was pressed on the point of outlining the UK Governments support and awareness raising locally and regionally.
Please find enclosed HoL Hansard as appendix 124.
Oral PQs November 2005: HIV/AIDS Various members participated in the debate about HIV/AIDS in the UK. The recent press article on a person in the UK who was said to be cured of HIV was discussed. The issue of certain vulnerable groups being unable to obtain ARV drugs was also raised.
The Minister reassured members that the Government’s HIV strategy aims to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. Overseas visitors and failed asylum seekers are offered Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) but since 1989 are not eligible to receive subsequent treatment, including drugs, if the test proves positive.
The Government is not complacent, however the UK has got a low HIV prevalence rate compared with other EU countries.
Please find enclosed HoL Hansard as appendix 125.
November 2005: Sexual Health Baroness Tonge, an active group member, was successful in securing above PQ with a particular focus on the long promised public health information campaign and the possibilities of the UK Government making SRE a statutory part of the national curriculum. SRE is a key part of the Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) syllabus, however content remains varied throughout the country and PSHE is non statutory.
Please find enclosed HoL Hansard as appendix 126.
December 2005: HIV/AIDS: Children Baroness Northover, an active group member, was successful in securing above PQ with a particular focus on the UNICEF report: Children – the missing face of AIDS. Various members raised issues of concern with regards to children and AIDS.
The minister reassured members that the Government is focusing their HIV/AIDS aid to promote children’s access to prevention, treatment and care.
Please find enclosed HoL Hansard as appendix 127.
February 2006: China: Human Rights Lord Alton, the greatest opponent in the HoL to UNFPA funding, spoke about forced abortions.
Please find enclosed HoL Hansard as appendix 128.
Written PQs APPG on PD&RH members tabled a wide range of SRHR written PQ’s throughout the year including PQs on:
• SRH • Sexual Health Campaign • Schools: SRE in the UK • Genital Warts in the UK • Immunisation: Human Papillomavirus 34
Various anti-choice peers prepared written PQs on China’s FP Policy and on abortion issues.
Please find enclosed list of anti-choice MPs and Peers and anti-choice APPG benefits received this year as appendix 129.
Meetings and Correspondence with DfID and DfID Select Committee APPG on PD&RH members have met formally and informally with DfID Ministers and DfID Select Committee members throughout the year, either at DfID’s office, in Parliament or at international conferences. Written correspondence has also been exchanged on International Development and SRHR issues.
Advisor has met and communicated regularly throughout the year with DfID’s civil servants on SRHR issues.
The DfID Reproductive and Child Health team now has 5 advisors and administration staff:
Advisors: Georgia Taylor - Team Leader Fran McConville - Health Adviser (maternal and child health) Sandra McDonagh (Health Adviser - HIV) Ros Ebdon (Adviser - social development) Julia Bunting - (Adviser - statistician)
Administration support staff: Benny Panayi Scott Hardie Julie Jones Beverley Dennis
John Worley, the previous team leader has been promoted.
Meetings February 2006: Meeting with Hilary Benn MP, SS for ID. The APPG on PD&RH was successful in securing a meeting with Hilary Benn MP, SS for ID in February 2006. The group asked to discuss the following issues:
• The World Summit and the MDGs; • The follow up to the G8 and EU Presidencies; • SRHR funding; • Commodity Security Supply; • DfID’s new White Paper; • Maternal Mortality; • Linking SRH and HIV/AIDS; and • The new APPG on PD&RH Hearings on Population Growth – its impact on the MDGs.
The meeting was well attended and members were thanked by Hilary Benn MP, SS for ID for their good work and the positive encouragement they give to DfID.
Some initial discussions took place around the subject of population and the group’s future Hearings. Hilary Benn MP, agreed to meet with members following the Hearing publication to discuss its recommendations.
35 The discussion then focused on microbicides and UNGASS. Hilary Benn MP, said that DfID does support the microbicides research and the DoH was currently preparing the UK report to UNGASS.
The APPG on PD&RH has been pushing for back bench MPs to be represented on UK Government delegations at international conferences. Hilary Benn MP, SS for ID promised that he would consider the suggestion for the forthcoming UNGASS conference.
Discussions then focussed on the MDG target on RH. Hilary Benn MP, SS for ID was reasonably confident that a new RH target would be set.
DfID’s White Paper received some attention and the linkages between SRHR and poverty eradication.
Finally the shortages in RH commodities was discussed and DfID’s maternal mortality strategy which is due to be published very soon.
With regards to commodities, DfID is looking at the UNFPA proposal and in particular whether there is any way of funding for the longer term to make commodity security more reliable.
Advisor promised to send the maternal mortality strategy to the APPG on PD&RH as soon as finalised.
Christine McCafferty MP thanked Hilary Benn MP, the SS for ID again for sparing his time to meet the APPG and said she looked forward to working with him for a long time to come on SRHR issues.
Please find enclosed letter written to request meeting, written briefing to group members and minutes of meeting as appendix 130.
Christine McCafferty MP, subsequently received a letter from Hilary Benn, MP, SS for ID inviting APPG on PD&RH and APPG on AIDS representatives on to the UNGASS UK Government delegation. The two APPG chairs, Christine McCafferty MP and Neil Gerrard MP accepted the invitation.
DfID’s decision to finally agree to invite backbench MPs on to the UK Government delegations, when appropriate, was well received by APPG on PD&RH members.
Please find enclosed invitation to be on UK Government’s Delegation to UNGASS as well as follow up material sent as promised by DfID as appendix 131.
Correspondence July 2005: Funding to Human Reproduction Programme, WHO. The APPG on PD&RH wrote a letter of concern to Hilary Benn MP, SS for ID with regards to the large funding cut to WHO’s Reproductive Health Research.
A favourable response was received, saying that DfID’s department responsible for research and for support to the WHO is meeting to discuss ways of addressing this situation.
Please find enclosed reply from Hilary Benn MP, SS for ID on the WHO Research funding as appendix 132.
In March 2006 at the DfID funded workshop in Paris on Demography, Reproductive Health and Sustainable Economic Growth in Africa, Gareth Thomas MP, PUSS for ID announced that DfID will make a £4.5 million contribution to the WHO Human Reproduction Programme. The news was very well received especially by the academic community. 36 October 2005: DfID Select Committee call for evidence on Delivering the Goods: HIV/AIDS and the Provision of Anti-Retrovirals. The APPG on PD&RH submitted the group’s 2004 Hearings on Linking SRHR and HIV/AIDS to DfID’s Select Committee Hearings on Delivering the Goods: HIV/AIDS and the Provision of Anti-Retrovirals. The intention was to draw the committee’s attention to the importance of emphasising prevention of HIV/AIDS as well as treatment with ARVs.
The report does explicitly state that universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment will only be achieved if treatment programmes are accompanied by a scaling-up of evidence-based HIV prevention programmes.
Please find enclosed covering letter and report summary as appendix 133.
February 2006: Austrian EU Presidency and ‘informal’ Development Ministers meeting The APPG on PD&RH wrote a letter of concern to Hilary Benn MP, SS for ID with regards to the Austrian EU Presidency’s decision not to hold an informal Development Ministers meeting. A supportive reply was received.
Please find enclosed correspondence as appendix 134.
Other European SRHR organisations had likewise raised their concern about the Austrian decision and as a result of the combined actions, the Finnish and the German upcoming Presidencies reviewed their intentions and decided to reinstitute the ‘informals’ under their respective upcoming EU Presidencies, overriding their initial decision not to hold the ‘informals’.
March 2006: APPG on PD&RH Annual Report 2004-2005 Following the dissemination of the group’s Annual Report 2004 – 2005, thank you and congratulation letters were received from Gareth Thomas MP, PUSS for ID and Baroness Royall the House of Lord’s Government spokeswoman for International Development.
Please find enclosed letters as appendix 135.
Consultations: March 2006: DfID’s White Paper consultation DfID announced its plan for a third White Paper on International Development in 2006.
This White Paper would be structured around three central themes: how to deliver development and promote faster poverty reduction; what can be done ‘beyond aid’ at the UK and international levels to create an environment conducive to poverty reduction; and how the international development system needs to change, so as to deliver better outcomes and be more responsive to the need of poor people.
The APPG on PD&RH submitted a response to the White Paper consultation emphasising the importance of prioritising health, and especially sexual and reproductive health, to achieve the MDGs and eliminate poverty.
Please find enclosed the group’s response to DfID’s White Paper consultation as appendix 136.
Workshops: November 2005: Measuring Maternal Health and Mortality DfID invited advisor to attend their internal professional development workshop on Measuring Maternal Health and Mortality.
Presentations were given by staff from LSHTM, WHO, University of Southampton, Initiative for Maternal Mortality Programme Assessment (IMMPACT), the Health Metrics Network and from DfID.
37 It was a highly technical workshop and of particular interest were discussions around whether to track resources through process, outcome or impact indicators.
Please find enclosed workshop agenda and handouts as appendix 137.
DfID Departmental Report 2005 DfID’s Annual Report 2005 refers to the new plans that the department has produced on: HIV and AIDS, access to medicines, SRH, and maternal and child mortality.
It has specific chapters on how to reduce the numbers of mothers who die in pregnancy and childbirth and a section on broader SRHR issues.
The report notes that although some countries have seen relative progress with child mortality (albeit rarely enough to reach 2015 targets), none are optimistic about maternal mortality.
The MDG for maternal mortality and the PSA sub-target to increase the proportion of births assisted by skilled birth attendants are seriously off-track in Africa. Large variations within each country are apparent, with the poorest 20% of women most likely to die in childbirth.
While government policy and plans are increasingly rigorous, prioritisation and implementation are frequently weak.
The report refers to DfID’s 2004 strategy on Reducing Maternal Deaths: Evidence and Action outline of six areas for action by the end of 2005, including a year-on-year increase in spending on maternal health, and a requirement that maternal health is explicitly addressed in DfID consultations with partner governments on Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRSs), Poverty Reduction Budget Support (PRBS), sector support and other relevant interventions.
The report also has a specific section on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights stating that they are human rights. They are essential to human development and to the achievement of the MDGs.
2004 marked the tenth anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), which set a goal of access to reproductive health for all by 2015.
The UK continues to support this goal. DfID and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) have worked successfully with their partners to maintain strong international support for ICPD’s Programme of Action within the UN.
The report notes that DfID’s 2004 Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights position paper emphasised that the international system must do more to effectively integrate services for sexual and reproductive health and HIV and AIDS, coupled with a strong health system, to achieve:
• improved maternal and newborn health; • accessible, high quality family planning and contraceptive choices; • elimination of unsafe abortion; • reduced incidence of sexually transmitted infections; and • greater awareness of sexual health and reduction of risky behaviour.
The report further makes reference to DfID’s specific activities in 2004/05 including:
• Increased support to country governments and their partners; • Increased core funding to UNFPA to £80 million over four years. With an additional £10 million to an EU-wide £75 million contribution to UNFPA to fill the gap in the supply of contraceptives, condoms and other reproductive health commodities in developing countries in 2004/05. More broadly, DFID is part of an international consortium aiming to secure sustainable support for reproductive health commodity supplies. Country programmes – for example in Nigeria, Kenya and Pakistan – also support commodity supply. • £12 million to the International Planned Parenthood Federation, which carries out advocacy work, helps improve access to services, provides education on sexual and reproductive health and takes action on unsafe abortion. • Work with partners internationally and at country level to improve the co-ordination of services for sexual and reproductive health and AIDS. For example, the UK supported a 38 UNFPA declaration in June 2004 on linking HIV and AIDS with sexual and reproductive health. In Kenya, a new programme of support focusing on strengthening safe motherhood and newborn health services will integrate and mainstream HIV and AIDS aspects such as antenatal screening. In Bangladesh, a significant element of DfID support for reproductive health and HIV and AIDS is channelled through the NGO sector, which jointly addresses reproductive health and HIV and AIDS. • The report also makes several references to population growth in Africa and the prospective sizes of populations with regard to food, water etc.
Unfortunately the DfID Select Committee did not hear evidence this year on the Annual Report due to the May 2005 General Election.
International Funding to SRHR, Population and HIV/AIDS DfID remains supportive of SRHR. DfID is currently providing £ 80 million to UNFPA over four years, and £ 19.5 million to IPPF between 2004 and 2006 (due to accounting procedures, funding does not necessarily show under the year it was allocated).
In March 2006 DfID announced that it will make a £4.5 million contribution to the WHO Human Reproduction Programme over the next three years to support its work in SRH.
£thousands Name 2005/06 2004/05 2003/04 2002/03 2001/02 2000/01 1999/00 1998/99 1997/98 UNFPA 30,000 20,038 18,100 9,000 24,000 40,050 15,000 13,120 11,500 WHO 56,436 39,689 46,117 46,139 51,874 75,110 20,300 8,091 12,099 UNICEF 32,428 23,721 18,453 19,666 17,500 2,619 29,143 10,461 9,241 UNAIDS 16,002 8,069 3,000 3,052 3,052 3,000 3,000 2,750 2,300 IPPF 0 6,000 10,500 4,500 4,500 5,500 5,500 5,500 5,850 MSI 717 1,698 1,684 2,979 2,554 5,132 4,945 4,235 3,103
Interact Worldwide 581 474 0 0 0 3 51 28 138
Bilateral aid by Sector : Reproductive Health £thousands Fiscal General Sector Other Technical Grants Humanitarian DFID Total DFID Aid Total Year Poverty Poverty Financial Cooperation and Assistance Debt Bilateral from Bilateral Reduction Reduction Aid Other Relief Programme other Gross Budget Budget Aid in UK Public Support Support Kind Official Expenditure Sources
19981999 - - 2 240 10 269 19 436 - - 31 945 - 31 945 19992000 - - 2 415 13 272 19 533 - - 35 220 - 35 220 20002001 - - 6 639 12 290 21 732 - - 40 661 - 40 661 20012002 - - 4 828 12 357 19 519 - - 36 704 - 36 704 20022003 - - 9 212 10 660 18 961 - - 38 834 - 38 834 20032004 - - 13 684 9 541 20 980 245 - 44 449 - 44 449 20042005 - - 14 369 9 447 15 579 - - 39 394 - 39 394 20052006 - - 5 838 5 439 6 361 1 511 - 19 149 - 19 149
39 Bilateral aid by Sector : Multisectoral Response to HIV/AIDS £thousands Fiscal General Sector Financial Technical Grants Humanitarian DFID Total DFID Aid Total Year Poverty Poverty Aid Cooperation and Assistance Debt Bilateral from Bilateral Reduction Reduction Other Relief Programme other Gross Budget Budget Aid in UK Public Support Support Kind Official Expenditure Sources
19981999 - - 1 830 5 997 5 287 - - 13 113 - 13 113 19992000 - - 996 8 467 5 787 112 - 15 362 - 15 362 20002001 - - 286 7 471 7 460 - - 15 217 - 15 217 20012002 - 18 3 954 12 484 9 895 - - 26 351 - 26 351 20022003 - 400 4 079 21 420 25 069 129 - 51 097 - 51 097 20032004 - 1 625 6 067 20 887 32 459 1 390 - 62 428 - 62 428 20042005 - 2 560 7 627 32 035 46 968 1 039 - 90 229 - 90 229 20052006 - 13 198 11 846 30 640 63 071 1 386 - 120 141 - 120 141
40
International Conferences The APPG on PD&RH has been involved either directly or indirectly in several international conferences this year including the G8 International Parliamentarians Conference on Development in Africa, in Edinburgh, the World Summit in New York, and the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) conference on Violence against Women, in Dakar, Senegal.
July 2005: G8 International Parliamentarians Conference on Development in Africa, Edinburgh, Scotland InterAct Worldwide, the IEPFPD, The World Bank and the Parliamentary Network of the World Bank (PNoWB) jointly organised the G8 International Parliamentarians Conference on Development in Africa hosted by the Scottish Parliament.
Over 150 participants, including MPs from 29 African and G8 countries participated in the conference.
Advisor to the APPG on PD&RH participated in the event and made contact with several UK MPs attending through the PNoWB.
The conference focused particularly on HIV/AIDS and SRH in Africa with the aim of firmly anchoring SRHR into the mainstream of the current discussions on international development and Africa, which figured high on the agenda of the G8 Summit, in the Millennium Summit and other discussions related to bilateral and EU development aid.
The conference concluded with participants ratifying a declaration containing strong conclusions and recommendations for action by G8 and African countries in the area of SRHR.
Please find enclosed agenda and The Edinburgh Declaration, 7th June 2005 as appendix 138.
September 2005: World Summit, New York, USA In preparation for the World Summit, group members attended briefing meetings on RH and the MDGs, prepared PQs, participated in parliamentary debates, and met with Ministers. The ultimate aim being to ensure that SRHR received a much stronger focus within the MDGs. Ultimately group members as well as SRHR advocates were working towards either a 9th MDG on RH or a target on SRHR within the MDG framework.
A letter was sent to the Secretary General Kofi Annan and the UK Mission to the UN in New York in February 2005, referring to the importance of ensuring a stronger commitment on reproductive health in the attainment of the MDGs at the forthcoming summit. Both letters received positive responses.
41 The Chief of the Cabinet, UN Secretary General Office said: “We are convinced that universal access to reproductive health is indeed critical to achieving the MDGs”
The UK mission to the UN said: “The EU recognises that the MDGs cannot be attained without progress in achieving the Cairo goal of universal sexual and reproductive health and rights.”
Please find enclosed correspondence as appendix 139.
MSI prepared an article for the House Magazine in January on the importance of ensuring access to Reproductive Health services in order to reduce Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and achieve the MDGs.
The House Magazine was circulated to all MPs and Peers.
The World Summit outcome published in September 2006 does make strong reference to SRHR.
World leaders committed themselves to: “achieving universal access to reproductive health by 2015, as set out at the ICPD, integrating this goal in strategies to attain the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration, aimed at reducing maternal mortality, improving maternal health, reducing child mortality, promoting gender equality, combating HIV/AIDS and eradicating poverty.” (2005 World Summit Outcome paragraph 57(g))
This was a major victory signifying the highest level of commitment to the Cairo goal on RH.
The group has been following up with DfID, advocating for DfID’s support within the EU and internationally to ensure a target on RH within the MDGs. The Secretary General’s report with targets and indicators will be published in the autumn of 2006.
Please find enclosed letter from Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director, UNFPA, thanking UK Parliamentarians for their achievements made to promote the ICPD PoA and its links to the MDGs as appendix 140.
December 2005: IPU conference on Violence against Women, Dakar, Senegal The IPU invited Christine McCafferty MP and Baroness Tonge to participate in their conference on Violence against Women in Dakar, Senegal. Christine McCafferty MP was subsequently asked to speak on FGM and in particular the UK Parliamentary Hearings on FGM which took place in 2000. The presentation was very well received.
Please find enclosed conference programme and Christine McCafferty MP’s speech as appendix 141.
An article was prepared on the conference for the IPU Review Spring 2006.
Please find enclosed article as appendix 142.
March 2006: Workshop on Demography, Reproductive Health and Sustainable Economic Growth in Africa, Paris, France Ann Mette Kjaerby attended the Paris workshop on Demography, Reproductive Health, and Sustainable Economic Growth, organised and supported by Agence Francaise de Development, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Equilibres & Populations and DfID.
At the workshop Gareth Thomas MP, PUSS for ID announced that DfID will make a £4.5 million contribution to the WHO Human Reproduction Programme, which was very well received following discussion about future research priorities.
Please find enclosed Gareth Thomas MP, PUSS for ID speech as appendix 143. 42
Support to other Countries’ APPGs on PD&RH The group continue to exchange information and support the establishment of other APPGs.
Advisor has held meetings with other secretariats including the Australian and the Spanish secretariats outlining UK Parliamentary activities with specific briefings and discussions around UK Parliamentary Hearings.
Meetings took place at the IEPFPD meeting in Brussels in February 2006 and at the EuroNGO meeting in the spring of 2006.
Please find enclosed samples of correspondence with secretariats on UK Parliamentary Hearings as appendix 144.
The Spanish Parliamentary Group on Population and Development, which the UK group has given technical support to, is now extremely active and group members were promoted to ministerial positions at the last election. The Spanish group now publish an annual report with group activities.
Please find enclosed the front page and index of the Spanish APPG on PD&RH annual report as appendix 145.
APPG on PD&RH Hearings 2000 - Follow up to Hearings on FGM The APPG on PD&RH continue to follow up on FGM Hearing recommendations and respond to inquiries about FGM and the Hearings.
In November the group co-organised an FGM book launch in parliament. The book was edited by Comfort Momoh the FGM midwifery specialist who had been involved in the FGM Hearings in 2000.
Please find enclosed article on the book launch as appendix 146.
In December Christine McCafferty MP and Baroness Tonge participated in the Violence against Women in Senegal conference, where Christine McCafferty MP spoke about FGM and the 2000 Hearings.
Members participated in the FGM debate in HoL in December 2005.
Following a request from the Agency for Culture and Change Management (ACCM), Christine McCafferty MP, sent a letter of support to the Home Office, with regards to a Grant awarded to the organisations National Co-ordinator Project, which had not been paid.
Please find enclosed correspondence as appendix 147.
2004 - Follow up to Hearings on Linking Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS The profile of linking SRHR and HIV/AIDS policies, services and programmes, has risen dramatically since the APPG on PD&RH Hearings in 2004.
Many national and international articles and publications on the importance of linking policies, programmes and services have been published and circulated amongst interested stakeholders. Many high ranking ministers and international reports and documents have also made strong recommendations on linked policies, services and programmes.
All DfID publications published on this topic since the 2004 Parliamentary Hearings also make reference to linkages. 43
Please find samples of publications as appendix 148.
The 2004 Hearing Reports were submitted as written evidence to the Commission for Africa consultation, as well as to the DfID Select Committee call for evidence on Delivering the Goods: HIV/AIDS and the Provision of Anti-Retrovirals.
The Commission for Africa report was published in March 2005. The publication was called: Our Common Interest. It makes strong reference to the importance of governments and donors prioritising SRHR/Population and linking SRHR and HIV/AIDS to eliminate poverty.
Please find enclosed SRHR/Population references in the Commission for Africa Report as appendix 149.
2006 - Hearings on Population Growth – its impact on the Millennium Development Goals At the 2005 group strategy meeting in November 2005, the APPG on PD&RH decided that the 2006 Hearings should focus on Population Growth – its impact on the MDGs. A letter was subsequently sent to all members informing them about the forthcoming Hearings.
Please find enclosed letter as appendix 150.
A steering committee was established. Richard Ottaway MP being the Chairman, with Viscount Craigavon and Baroness Tonge as APPG on PD&RH representatives and IPPF, MSI and the coordinator of the PSN, as the NGO representatives.
6 Hearing committee meetings were held to plan and organise the group Hearings.
Please find enclosed minutes of Hearing committee meetings as appendix 151.
In December 2005 and January 2006 press releases, letters and e-mails were sent out informing individuals, academics, NGOs, UN organisations, Governments, Trusts and Foundations etc., that the UK APPG on PD&RH would hold Parliamentary Hearings between May – July 2006 on: Population Growth – its impact on the MDGs.
Organisations and individuals with relevant experience and expertise were invited to submit written evidence, addressing the focus areas listed in the call for evidence.
Please find enclosed call for evidence and dissemination list as appendix 152.
The hearing committee received written evidence from 49 individuals and organisations. 21 individuals/departments/organisations were short listed to give oral evidence.
Please find enclosed outline of Hearings as appendix 153.
On March 1st-3rd 2006 Advisor attended a workshop on Demography, Reproductive Health and Sustainable Economic Growth in Africa, in Paris in support of the Hearings.
Please find enclosed invitation and workshop programme as appendix 154.
One private hearing was held on 8th June 2006 between the Hearing Chairman Richard Ottaway MP and Jacques Baudouy, Director of Health, Nutrition and Population, World Bank. Mr Baudouy was unable to make any of the formal Hearing dates.
The Hearing Report will be written during the summer recess 2006 and the plan is to launch it in Winter 2006 in the UK Parliament.
Please find enclosed Population articles as appendix 155.
44 APPG PD&RH PUBLICATIONS
Activity Reports Annual Activity Reports have been published every year since 1993/1994 to present.
Hearings/Surveys/Reports European Agenda for Action on World Population Report of the European Parliamentarians Conference, London 1992
The Well-Spent Pound - an assessment of AID Agency priorities for population activities NGO Review 1993
Women's Rights and Sexual Health Report of Consultations held with agencies involved in women's issues, 1995
Implementing the Cairo ICPD 1994 Programme of Population, Reproductive Health and Development European Parliamentary Forum for Action Report, Brussels 1995
Report on Workshop "Working with Parliamentarians and Government Officials" London, March 1996
Development Strategies for the 21st Century: the South-South Partnership in Population and Development Report of the Parliamentary Hearing March 1997
Taking Young People Seriously: Improving Sexual and Reproductive Health for the Next Generation Report of the Parliamentary Hearings held on 6 and 13 May 1998
Female Genital Mutilation Report of Parliamentary Hearing and Survey on FGM, May 2000 ‘The Missing Link’
Linking Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS “The Missing Link” Executive Summary and Recommendations, Main Report and CD-Rom of Parliamentary Hearings on Linking Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS, October 2004
45 ACCOUNTS
Please find the APPG on PD&RH's audited accounts April 2005 – March 2006 enclosed as appendix 156.
46 ACRONYMS
ACCM - Agency for Culture and Change Management AGM - Annual General Meeting AIDS - Auto-Immune Deficiency Syndrome APFPD - Asian Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development APPG - All Party Parliamentary Group APPG on PD&RH - All Party Parliamentary Group on Population, Development and Reproductive Health ARVs - Anti Retrovirals BASHH - British Association for Sexual Health and HIV BMJ - British Medical Journal BPAS - British Pregnancy Advisory Service C - Conservative CAG - Catholic Action Group CFFC - Catholics for a Free Choice CND - Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament CoE - Council of Europe Defra - Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs DfID - Department for International Development DoH - Department of Health EC - European Community EDM - Early Day Motion EU - European Union EuroNGO - European Non Governmental Organisations FCO - Foreign and Commonwealth Office FGM - Female Genital Mutilation FP - Family Planning FPA - Family Planning Association G8 - Group of Eight - which consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the UK, and the US GNP - Gross National Product GUM - Genito-Urinary Medicine HFE Act - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act HFEA - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority HIV - Human Immune Virus HoC - House of Commons HoL - House of Lords ICPD - International Conference on Population and Development ICW - International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS IEPFPD - Inter-European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development IMMPACT - Initiative for Maternal Mortality Programme Assessment IPCI - International Parliamentarians Conference on Implementation of the ICPD IPPF - International Planned Parenthood Federation IPU - Inter Parliamentary Union L - Labour LD - Liberal Democrat LSHTM - London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine MDGs - Millennium Development Goals MEP - Member of European Parliament MP - Member of Parliament MSI - Marie Stopes International NGO - Non Governmental Organisation NICE - National Institute for Clinical Excellence NUS - National Union of Students PAI - Population Action International PCTs - Primary Care Trusts 47 PEPFAR - President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief PNoWB - Parliamentary Network on the World Bank PQ - Parliamentary Question PSHE - Personal, Social and Health Education PSN - Population and Sustainability Network PUSS - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State PUSS for ID - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development RH - Reproductive Health SPUC - Society for the Protection of Unborn Children SRE - Sex and Relationships Education SRH - Sexual and Reproductive Health SRHR - Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights SS - Secretary of State SS for ID - Secretary of State for International Development STI - Sexual Transmitted Infection TGWU - Transport and General Workers Union UK - United Kingdom UN - United Nations UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund UNGASS - United Nations General Assembly Special Session UN-HABITAT - United Nations Human Settlements Programme UNICEF - United Nations Children Fund UNIFEM - United Nations Development Fund for Women US - United States USS - Ultra Sound Scan VAT - Value Added Tax VCT - Voluntary Counselling and Testing VSO - Voluntary Service Overseas WHO - World Health Organisation XB - Cross Bencher
48
APPENDICES
Appendix 1: Letter sent to all new MPs inquiring about their interest in becoming a member of the APPG on PD&RH. Appendix 2: Communication with Shadow Minister for the Environment. Appendix 3: Covering letter introducing and welcoming new members to the APPG on PD&RH. Appendix 4: 2005-2006 APPG on PD&RH agendas and committee meeting minutes. Appendix 5: MSI, EC Development Policy PowerPoint presentation. Appendix 6: World Population Day reception invitation, press release and speeches. Appendix 7: Invitation to Comfort Momoh, Female Genital Mutilation book launch and book foreword by Christine McCafferty MP. Appendix 8: World AIDS Day – EU statement on HIV Prevention for and AIDS Free Generation, UK Civil Society on HIV/AIDS and the Network on SRHR responses to the statement, World AIDS Day reception speeches, press releases and the new APPG on PD&RH pamphlet. Appendix 9: Letter from Hilary Benn MP, SS for ID thanking Christine McCafferty MP and the group for the World AIDS day evening reception and the group’s continued work. Appendix 10: World AIDS Day press material. Appendix 11: Correspondence with Ambassador Kolker and briefings on PEPFAR and SRHR. Appendix 12: Briefings on Unsafe Abortion by UK SRHR Network and other network briefing material. Appendix 13: DfID Reproductive and Child Health team briefing material. Appendix 14: Correspondence with Gareth Thomas MP, PUSS, about ‘On the page campaign’ meeting as well as the invitation and campaign bookmark sample and speeches. Appendix 15: Death and Denial: Unsafe Abortion and Poverty invitation, press releases and speeches. Appendix 16 MSI Late Abortion launch invitation and press articles. Appendix 17: Population and Sustainability Network, Annual General Meeting invitation and agenda and a PSN newsletter. Appendix 18: Abortion Rights meeting: Defend the time limit –Defend a woman’s right to choose invitation, Christine McCafferty MP’s presentation as well as the Abortion Rights campaign postcard. Appendix 19: UK Abortion press articles. Appendix 20: UK SRHR Network agenda for meeting with the APPG on PD&RH. Appendix 21: Article by MSI in the House Magazine on Safe Motherhood and DfID. Appendix 22: Snapshots of Change, film event invitation and pamphlets on the event. Appendix 23: APPG Pro-Choice and Sexual Health Group meeting minutes and presentations. Appendix 24: UNICEF briefing with peer educator’s invitation. Appendix 25: SPUC Abortion Law reform meeting information. Appendix 26: DfID’s Rough Guide to a Better World press release. Appendix 27: APPG on Friends of Islam meeting background briefing and info on panellists. Appendix 28: British Association for Sexual Health and HIV briefing correspondence and dinner invitation. Appendix 29: Articles on declining UK Sexual Health. Appendix 30: International Development (Reporting and Transparency) Bill reception invitation. Appendix 31: APPG on AIDS meeting on The Global Fund: Progress to Date and Challenges for 2006 briefing invitation and minutes of meeting. Appendix 32: APPGs on AIDS and Pro-Choice Valentines Day meeting invitation. Appendix 33: Articles on UK Sexual Health. Appendix 34: HIV International & Working Group on AIDS Meeting briefing and minutes. Appendix 35: Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, Annual General Meeting invitation, full agenda and Caroline Flint MP, PUSS for Public Health’s speech. Appendix 36: Press articles on infertility and human fertilisation and a summary of the scale of infertility in the UK. Appendix 37: The Burden of HIV & AIDS Care on Women and Girls meeting invitation. Appendix 38: Mother’s Day campaign launch invitation and Christine McCafferty MP’s speech together with correspondence with Gareth Thomas MP, PUSS for ID about the event. Appendix 39: APPG on AIDS UNGASS+5 briefing meeting invitation sent to group members. Appendix 40: Organon laboratories communications. Appendix 41: Article on NICE new guidelines on long acting contraceptives. Appendix 42: GlaxoSmithKline communications. Appendix 43: Programme of IEPFPD meeting in Edinburgh. 49 Appendix 44: IEPFPD workshop on Advocacy around the MDGs and APPG on PD&RH Secretariat meeting, Brussels, Belgium invitation and agenda, as well as participation list. Appendix 45: IEPFPD and Catholics for a Free Choice media training workshop, Budapest, Hungary invitation. Appendix 46: EuroNGO mid-term review survey. Appendix 47: EuroNGOs new leaflet. Appendix 48: IPPF European Network meeting, Brussels, Belgium, programme, thank you letter to Christine McCafferty MP for speaking at the seminar, her speech and the participant list. Appendix 49: Moscow AIDS Hearings agenda and info on meeting in support of Christine McCafferty MP’s European Strategy on HIV/AIDS. Appendix 50: Spain study tour programme for CoE HIV/AIDS strategy. Appendix 51: Letter to Lyn Brown MP, Bangladesh study tour programme, press on the study tour and general follow up communications. Appendix 52: China press release. Appendix 53: APPG on PD&RH correspondence with David Amess MP, who continues to oppose funding to UNFPA. Appendix 54: PAI’s UK Population briefing: Development Assistance: Policy and Funding. Appendix 55: Covering letter and three briefings: UNFPA’s state of the world population report 2005: The Promise and Equality: Gender Equity; Reproductive Health and the MDGs; Catholics for a free choice news journal Conscience and PAI summary and recommendations on progress and promises in trends in international assistance for Reproductive Health and Population. Appendix 56: Population and Sustainability Network’s response to DfID’s Environment Position Paper. Appendix 57: World Bank “willing to fund birth control program” article. Appendix 58: CFFC letter and the Catholics Action Group report. Appendix 59: Population Article by John Cleland and Steven Sinding: High Fertility Hampers African Anti-Poverty Drive. Appendix 60: The World Population Data Sheet published by the Population Reference Bureau. Appendix 61: Invitation and copy of UNICEF’s global campaign report, highlighting children as the missing face in AIDS campaign. Appendix 62: UNICEF article: ‘unite for children – united against AIDS’, from the House Magazine, 31st October 2005. Appendix 63: BMJ article: “Cost effectiveness analysis of Strategies to Combat HIV/AIDS in Developing Countries.” Appendix 64: Correspondence and article on: “Sex and Relationship Education.” Appendix 65: Cover letter and IPPF’s annual report 2004: From choice, a world of possibilities and WHO, UNFPA, UNAIDS and IPPF’s briefing on SRHR and HIV/AIDS: A Framework for Priority Linkages. Appendix 66: Briefings on the UK SRHR Network Response to EU Statement on HIV Prevention for an AIDS Free Generation; UK Work on International Unsafe Abortion; info on the 2005 World Summit and the Millennium Development Goals outcome on reproductive health; and the article: “The draft report on development strategy for Africa which calls for greater access to abortion.” Appendix 67: The APPG on PD&RH new leaflet and strategy with covering letter. Appendix 68: Health Metrics Network briefing. Appendix 69: Cover letter and three briefings on IPPF publication: Death and Denial: Unsafe Abortion and Poverty, the 2005 World Summit commitments on Reproductive Health and ‘On the page’ book mark campaign by Commonwealth Medical Trust. Appendix 70: APPG on PD&RH Annual Report 2004-2005, the Strasbourg Statement of Commitment poster and the covering letter. Appendix 71: UK Chlamydia screening article and briefings. Appendix 72: APPG on PD&RH newsletter No 10. Appendix 73: Ms Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA’s International Women’s Day message. Appendix 74: The US Government report on funding to the ‘Silver Ring’ organisation. Appendix 75: Comments to IPPF’s Global Safe Abortion Fund draft concept paper. Appendix 76: Minutes of meeting with UNICEF Parliamentary Officer. Appendix 77: Statement by Gordon Brown MP, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s on Innovative Financing for Development, HoC Hansard.
50 Appendix 78: Statement by Caroline Flint MP, USS for Health’s on the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV (Annual Report) HoC Hansard, FPA briefing, the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV Report and a briefing by advisor, as well as the summary of the Governments response to the report. Appendix 79: Caroline Flint MP, USS for Health statement on the report of the review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act consultation HoC Hansard, report cover and contents pages. Appendix 80: Debate on HIV/AIDS Overseas, HoC Hansard. Appendix 81: Debate on Africa (Poverty), HoC Hansard. Appendix 82: Debate on Abortion Time Limits, HoC Hansard. Appendix 83: Prohibition of Abortion Private Members Bill, HoC Hansard, the Private Members Bill and a briefing disseminated to members. Appendix 84: Breastfeeding 10 Min. Rule Bill, HoC Hansard. Appendix 85: Article on the Breastfeeding Bill. Appendix 86: Debate on International Development (Reporting and Transparency) Bill, HoC Hansard and briefing. Appendix 87: Debate on Health Services (Developing Countries), HoC Hansard and briefings. Appendix 88: Debate on Sexual Health (HIV/AIDS), HoC Hansard and briefings disseminated. Appendix 89: Debate on China (Human Rights), HoC Hansard. Appendix 90: Debate on Tackling Health Inequalities, HoC Hansard. Appendix 91: Debate on Violence against Women, HoC Hansard and briefing disseminated. Appendix 92: Debate on World Poverty, HoC Hansard. Appendix 93: Adjournment (Easter) Debate, HoC Hansard. Appendix 94: EDM 196 - Linking Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV/AID, and list of signatures Appendix 95: EDM 294 - Sexual and Reproductive Health and the Millennium Development Goals, and list of signatures. Appendix 96: EDM 452 - Council of Europe Convention on Trafficking, and list of signatures. Appendix 97: EDM 687 - Superdrug Sex Tax Campaign, and list of signatures. Appendix 98: Articles on the Catholic Church and condoms. Appendix 99: EDM 741 - Cervical Cancer, and list of signatures. Appendix 100: EDM 829 - Confidentiality of Sexual Health Advice for Young People, and list of signatures. Appendix 101: Articles on young people in the UK and confidentiality. Appendix 102: EDM 1056 - National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and Contraception, and list of signatures. Appendix 103: EDM 1091 - Progress Report on UN Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, and list of signatures. Appendix 104: EDM 1155 - Sexual Health and the Sex, Lives and Politics Campaign, and list of signatures. Appendix 105: EDM 1443 - Global AIDS Targets, and list of signatures. Appendix 106: EDM 1601 - Contraception and Information Technology, and list of signatures. Appendix 107: EDM 1859 - Safe Motherhood Campaign, and list of signatures. Appendix 108: Oral PQs on AIDS Orphans, HoC Hansard. Appendix 109: Oral PQ on Female Genital Mutilation, HoC Hansard. Appendix 110: Business of the House – International Development oral PQ, HoC Hansard. Appendix 111: Oral PQ on Border Security – Trafficking of Women, HoC Hansard. Appendix 112: Business of the House - International Development oral PQ, HoC Hansard. Appendix 113: Oral PQ on Abortions, HoC Hansard. Appendix 114: Oral PQ on AIDS, HoC Hansard. Appendix 115: Oral PQ on the Global Fund, HoC Hansard. Appendix 116: Oral PQ on HIV/AIDS, HoC Hansard. Appendix 117: Oral PQ on HIV/AIDS, HoC Hansard. Appendix 118: Debate on Africa Commission, HoL Hansard. Appendix 119: Debate on Education and Aid Programme, HoL Hansard. Appendix 120: Debate on Female Genital Mutilation, HoL Hansard. Appendix 121: Debate on Honour Killings, HoL Hansard. Appendix 122: Debate on G8 International Development Aid, HoC Hansard. Appendix 123: Debate on Women, HoL Hansard. Appendix 124: Debate on the Democratic Republic of Congo, HoL Hansard. Appendix 125: Oral PQ on HIV/AIDS, HoL Hansard. Appendix 126: Oral PQ on Sexual Health, HoL Hansard. Appendix 127: Oral PQ on HIV/AIDS: Children, HoL Hansard. Appendix 128: Oral PQ on China: Human Rights, HoL Hansard.
51 Appendix 129: List of Anti-choice MPs and Peers and anti-choice APPG benefits received this year. Appendix 130: Letter written to request meeting with Hilary Benn MP, SS for ID, written meeting briefing to group members and minutes of meeting. Appendix 131: Invitation from Hilary Benn MP, SS for ID to Christine McCafferty MP and Neil Gerrard MP, to be on UK Government Delegation to UNGASS and briefing material sent by DfID. Appendix 132: Correspondence with Hilary Benn MP, SS for ID on Funding to the Human Reproduction Programme, World Health Organization. Appendix 133: Cover letter to APPG on PD&RH Hearing Report ‘Missing Link’ sent to DfID Select Committee’s call for evidence on Delivering the Goods: HIV/AIDS and the Provision of Anti-Retrovirals and the Select Committee’s report summary. Appendix 134: Correspondence with Hilary Benn MP, SS for ID on Austrian EU Presidency and ‘informal’ Development Ministers meeting. Appendix 135: Ministers response letters to the APPG on PD&RH Annual Report 2004-2005. Appendix 136: The APPG on PD&RH’s response to DfID’s White Paper consultation. Appendix 137: Agenda and handouts at DfID’s workshop on Measuring Maternal Health and Mortality, London. Appendix 138: Agenda for the G8 International Parliamentarians Conference on Development in Africa, Edinburgh, Scotland and the Edinburgh Declaration, 7th June 2005. Appendix 139: World Summit, New York correspondence. Appendix 140: Letter from Ms Obaid, Executive Director, UNFPA, thanking UK Parliamentarians for their achievements made to promote the ICPD PoA and its links to the MDGs. Appendix 141: Inter Parliamentary Union conference on Violence against Women, Dakar conference programme and Christine McCafferty MP’s speech. Appendix 142: Inter Parliamentary Union conference on Violence against Women, Dakar article. Appendix 143: Gareth Thomas MP, PUSS speech at the Workshop on Demography, Reproductive Health and Sustainable Economic Growth in Africa, Paris. Appendix 144: Samples of correspondence with secretariats on UK Parliamentary Hearings. Appendix 145: The Spanish Parliamentary Group on Population and Development, 2005 Annual Report front page and report index. Appendix 146: FGM book launch article. Appendix 147: Letter sent to the Home Office in support of the grant awarded to the Agency for Culture and Change Management. Appendix 148: Sample of DfID publications published since the 2004 Parliamentary Hearings which make reference to SRHR and HIV/AIDS linkages. Appendix 149: List of SRHR/Population references in the Commission for Africa Report. Appendix 150: Letter sent to all APPG on PD&RH members about the groups forthcoming Hearings on Population Growth – its impact on the MDGs. Appendix 151: Minutes of Hearing committee meetings. Appendix 152: Hearing call for written evidence and dissemination list. Appendix 153: Hearing outline. Appendix 154: DfID co-funded workshop on Demography, Reproductive Health and Sustainable Economic Growth in Africa, in Paris invitation and workshop programme. Appendix 155: Population articles. Appendix 156: APPG on PD&RH Audited Accounts April 2005 – March 2006.
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