Technical Publications

Adding it Up The Benefits of Investing In Sexual and Reproductive Health Care This new report jointly published by The Alan Guttmacher Institute (AGI) and UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, makes the case for increased funding for sexual and reproductive health services-particularly in resource-poor countries-by illustrating the unusually broad societal and individual impact of investments in sexual and reproductive health.

HIV Prevention in Maternal Health Services: Programming Guide These guides can be used to strengthen the integration of HIV prevention into maternal health services and build the capacity of health workers to address the prevention needs of pregnant and postpartum women.

HIV Prevention in Maternal Health Services: Training Guide These guides can be used to strengthen the integration of HIV prevention into maternal health services and build the capacity of health workers to address the prevention needs of pregnant and postpartum women.

HIV transmission through breastfeeding- A review of available evidence This publication is one of a series on HIV and infant feeding. It presents the scientific evidence relating to the transmission of HIV infection by breastfeeding.

Integrating HIV Voluntary Counselling and Testing Services into Reproductive Health Settings Stepwise Guidelines for Programme Planners, Managers and Service Providers This guide aims to provide sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programme planners, managers, and providers with the information necessary to integrate voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for HIV/AIDS within their services.

Investing in People National Progress in Implementing the ICPD Programme of Action 1994-2004 This Global Survey includes responses from 169 countries on the steps they have taken to implement the Cairo Programme of Action, including measures related to population and development, gender equality, women's empowerment, reproductive rights and health and HIV/AIDS.

Investing in People -- A Summary National Progress in Implementing the ICPD Programme of Action 1994 - 2004 A summary of the Global Survey that includes responses from 169 countries on the measures they have taken to implement the Cairo Programme of Action in the fields of population and development, gender equality, women's empowerment, reproductive rights and health and HIV/AIDS.

Issues In Brief: The Role of Reproductive Health Providers in Preventing HIV Reproductive health professionals in developing countries already offer a wide range of services to millions of women now at the center of the global HIV pandemic, and they are increasingly expanding their outreach to adolescents and to men. Yet their current and potential role as front-line providers of HIV prevention services is largely untapped.

Sexually Transmitted Infections: Breaking the Cycle of Transmission Some 340 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections, excluding HIV, occur each year. This technical publication outlines the main issues involved in diagnosis and treatment of these infections, which cause serious health problems and also increase vulnerability to HIV. The publication also describes associated challenges for programming and implications for reproductive health policy.

South Asia Conference for the Prevention and Treatment of Obstetric Fistula 9-11 December 2003 • Dhaka, Bangladesh This conference marked the beginning of the UNFPA Campaign to End Fistula's expansion to the South Asian region. The objective of the conference was to introduce UNFPA's fistula campaign in South Asia, to review current knowledge about obstetric fistula in the region and to discuss steps for moving forward with the campaign in the region.

The Glion Call to Action on Family Planning and HIV/AIDS in Women and Children 3-5 May 2004 The linkages between reproductive health and HIV/AIDS prevention and care must be strengthened in order to achieve internationally agreed development goals. United Nations agencies have initiated a series of consultations to identify ways to build and reinforce these linkages. This Glion Call to Action reflects the consensus of the first consultation in May 2004 which focused on the linkage between family planning and prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission. The call is set within the context of the objectives and actions agreed at the 1994 Cairo International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).

The New York Call to Commitment: Linking HIV/AIDS and Sexual and Reproductive Health This document reflects the consensus of a high-level global consultation on linking HIV/AIDS and Sexual and Reproductive Health in June 2004. Participants included ministers, parliamentarians, ambassadors, leaders of United Nations and other multilateral agencies, donor organization officials, community and nongovernmental organization leaders, young people, and people living with HIV.

Achieving the Millennium Development Goals Population and Reproductive Health as Critical Determinants -- Population and Development Strategies #10 The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), arising from the Millennium Summit in September 2000, are the overarching development objectives of the international community. The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) goal of universal access to quality reproductive health services by 2015 is not one of the MDGs. Yet as this publication demonstrates, it is essential for meeting the MDGs. The attainment of reproductive health and reproductive rights are fundamental for development, for fighting poverty and for meeting the MDG targets. Conversely, reproductive ill-health undermines development by, inter alia, diminishing the quality of women's lives, weakening and, in extreme cases, killing poor women of prime ages, and placing heavy burdens on families and communities. This publication shows by means of analytical graphics, the fundamental importance of addressing population and reproductive health for achieving the MDGs.

Emergency Obstetric Care -- Checklist for Planners Emergency obstetric care is the cornerstone of UNFPA's efforts to improve pregnancy outcomes. This six-panel checklist is designed to help programme planners and managers monitor elements that are critical to providing a high quality of emergency obstetric care.

Enlisting the Armed Forces to Protect Reproductive Health and Rights: Lessons from Nine Countries Taking advantage of the considerable organizational and human resources of military institutions to protect reproductive health and rights is emerging as a powerful strategy in both peacetime and conflict situations. For decades, UNFPA has worked with the military sector to reach out to men with information, education and services on family life and family planning. This experience is now being applied to a wider spectrum of reproductive and sexual health concerns, including maternal health, HIV/AIDS prevention and reduction of gender-based violence. This digital document offers lessons learned from reproductive health projects in nine different military organizations. Send comments to: cohen@unfpa.org Request CD ROMs to: conte@unfpa.org

Essential Drugs and other Commodities for Reproductive Health Services This publication is a draft discussion document issued jointly by WHO and UNFPA as an interim internal guidance and to solicit comments and suggestions for its further development. This document is intended for people involved in planning and implementing Reproductive Health (RH) programmes, including programme managers and development assistance agencies and organizations. UNFPA Country Offices should use this listing as a guide regarding which essential RH commodities are necessary to implement quality RH services. Governments and other agencies may also find the listing useful in deciding what RH commodities are necessary at both primary and first referral levels.

HIV and Infant Feeding : Framework for Priority Action The purpose of this HIV and Infant Feeding Framework for Priority Action is to recommend to governments key actions, related to infant and young child feeding, that cover the special circumstances associated with HIV/AIDS. The aim of these actions is to create and sustain an environment that encourages appropriate feeding practices for all infants, while scaling-up interventions to reduce HIV transmission. The beneficiaries of the Framework include national policy-makers, programme managers, regional advisory bodies, UN staff, professional bodies, non-governmental organizations and other interested stakeholders, including the community. This Framework has been developed as a collaborative effort between UN agencies.

It Takes 2 Partnering with Men in Reproductive and Sexual Health Partnering with men is emerging as an important strategy for improving reproductive health. This new publication offers guidance on effective and gender-sensitive ways to engage men in the reproductive and sexual health of themselves and their partners. It includes examples of successful strategies and programming as well as lessons learned. A checklist summarizing key points makes this programme advisory note an especially useful tool for both designing and evaluating projects.

Making Safe Motherhood a Reality in West Africa Using Indicators to Programme for Results For too long, efforts to reduce maternal mortality stalled, in part because the facts underlying the problem --and the best strategies to address it --were poorly understood. This report documents UNFPA's efforts to address maternal mortality using a strategic and practical evidence-based approach in a region where data has been scarce,and where too many women have died. Increasing access to emergency obstetric care is central to this approach.

Maternal Mortality Update 2002 A Focus on Emergency Obstetric Care Every minute a woman dies from lack of life-saving emergency obstetric care. Addressing this need is the centrepiece of UNFPA's efforts to make motherhood safer. The new Maternal Mortality Update explains the critical importance of timely medical interventions hen complications develop -- as they do in more than 5 per cent of all deliveries. It also documents UNFPA's efforts to reduce maternal mortality throughout the developing world.

Obstetric Fistula Needs Assessment Findings from Nine African Countries UNFPA partnered with EngenderHealth to conduct a first-ever study on the occurrence of fistula in nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa (Benin, Chad, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia). The report offers a glimpse of the issue as seen through the eyes of clients who seek services and professional health workers in 35 hospitals where fistula is treated. It highlights the urgent need for equipment, skilled medical staff and surgical supplies in order to meet the high demand for care. Access and download the report by sections in different languages.

Rapid Needs Assessment Tool for Condom Programming This document was developed in collaboration with the Population Council to design and test a rapid needs assessment and data-gathering tool to improve country level condom programming for HIV prevention of which condom distribution, promotion and use are important elements.

Strengthened Partnerships among Local FM and Community Radio Networks and RH Agencies on HIV/AIDS This interactive CD-ROM presents all materials developed for and discussed during two pilot regional training workshops in Africa and Asia in 2003. During the workshops, managers learned how to use entertainment-education methodologies to produce radio serial dramas that are culturally sensitive and research-based. The aim is to use this popular medium more effectively to reduce risky behaviour and prevent HIV/AIDS. The workshops were organized by UNFPA and the Population Media Center (PMC). Send feedback to cohen@unfpa.org Request copies from conte@unfpa.org

The Second Meeting of the Working Group for the Prevention and Treatment of Obstetric Fistula Addis Ababa -- 30 Ocotber - 1 November 2002 UNFPA leads a coalition of organizations committed to the prevention and treatment of fistula, an isolating disability that results from unrelieved obstructed labour. This report, from the second meeting of the working group, documents the considerable progress that has been made in bringing fistula to wider attention, in collecting data about it, and in developing strategies to end fistula in the developing world, just as it has been virtually eliminated in industrialized countries.

Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and Girls A UNFPA Strategy for Gender Mainstreaming in Areas of Conflict and Reconstruction A report from the consultative meeting held in Bratislava, Slovakia, on 13-15 November 2001. The purpose of the meeting was twofold: first, to examine and explore the impact of armed conflict on women and girls; and, second, to formulate strategies and tools to ensure that reproductive health programmes accurately reflect this population's needs, specifically by addressing them through a comprehensive, gender-sensitive approach.

Reproductive Health and Employment Implications for Young People Almost all United Nations global conferences in the last decade have recognized that youth unemployment is a growing problem that needs to be addressed, and that placing youth at the centre of the development agenda is a key to sustainable development. This publication provides a brief overview of how youth unemployment, especially among girls, is linked to problems of poverty, ill health, and illiteracy.

A Practical Approach to Gender-Based Violence A Programme Guide for Health Care Providers and Managers This publication contains practical steps needed to integrate measures on gender based violence into reproductive health facilities. It is also meant to help a wider range of readers to understand the connections between reproductive and sexual health and violence. While the Programme Guide is targeting primarily health service providers, it can also be used as a reference guide for advocacy purposes or to undertake other activities in this area.

Recommendations from the Expert Group Meeting: "Application of Human Rights to Reproductive and Sexual Health" The meeting examined, in particular, three issues of considerable importance to sexual and reproductive health, in order to assess the impact of clinical services, health systems and other underlying social, economic, legal and political factors on the enjoyment of sexual and reproductive health and rights, and to identify the positive measures which States are required to take under relevant treaty provisions to ensure the enjoyment of those rights. The three areas were unsafe abortion, adolescents' access to sexual and reproductive health, and HIV/AIDS. The recommendations for action are grouped into three main areas : advocacy, information gathering and reporting process, and national level implementation.

Report on the Meeting for the Prevention & Treatment of Obstetric Fistula London -- 2001 This report reviews the first meeting of international fistula experts in London in July 2001, which launched this initiative and focused on concrete actions to alleviate the suffering of affected women. It is our sincerest hope that together we can work to make fistula as rare in Africa and in all developing countries as it is in the industrialized world. We know that new partners will join us in this worthwhile initiative.

Reproductive Health for Communities in Crisis UNFPA Emergency Response Wars or natural disasters deprive people of life-saving reproductive health information and services. This advocacy booklet details UNFPA's work with global partners to respond to the reproductive health needs of refugees and internally displaced persons in crisis situations around the world: providing services to address complications of pregnancy and delivery, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, adolescent health, violence against women, and access to condoms and other contraceptives.

Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination by 2005 Strategies for Achieving and Maintaining Elimination These guidelines describe the strategies for achieving elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus by the year 2005 and, once elimination is achieved, for maintaining it. They are intended for public health managers at the national and distric levels in countries that have not yet reached the goal and for the organizations that provide them with technical assistance. They will also be useful for development partners that are planning financial or other support.

Reproductive Health in Refugee Situations An Inter-Agency Field Manual The result of a collaborative effort by UN agencies, governmental and non-governmental organizations and tested extensively in the field, this practical manual supports the delivery of quality reproductive health services. The manual can be adapted to suit the particular circumstances and requirements of each refugee situation, using technical standards set by the World Health Organization.

Reducing Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Programme Advisory Note No. 5 UNFPA programmes of assistance are based on the agreed-upon goals and objectives of the ICPD Programme of Action for the next 20 years. Reduction of maternal mortality is, therefore, one of the indicators by which the success of reproductive health programmes will be judged. This Note is intended as a source of practical information based on evaluation and research activities, to guide the implementation of activities to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity in the context of reproductive health programmes.

Guidelines for Monitoring the Availability and Use of Obstetric Services Direct measurements of maternal mortality rates and ratios are complex and subject to large margins or error. These guidelines provide an alternative approach to monitoring progress in addressing maternal mortality: they present a series of 'process indicators' that assess the availability, use and quality obstetric services. Aimed at a professional audience, the document also provides guidance on data collection and interpretation. Published by UNICEF in collaboration with UNFPA and WHO.

State of World Population

State of World Population 2004 The Cairo Consensus at Ten: Population, Reproductive Health and The Global Effort to End Poverty This year's report, The Cairo Consensus at Ten: Population, Reproductive Health and the Global Effort to End Poverty, examines the progress countries have made and the obstacles they have encountered at the halfway point in implementing the ICPD plan.

State of World Population 2002 People, poverty and Possibilities Attacking poverty directly, as a matter of human rights, to accelerate development and to reduce inequality within and among nations, has become an urgent global priority. World leaders have agreed on a variety of new initiatives, including the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This year's State of the World Population report is a contribution to the discussion and a guide to action. This publication characterizes poverty by reviewing its many dimensions and looks at several of the key issues including, poverty and gender, poverty and health and poverty and education. It outlines a framework and provides recommendations to meet the poverty eradication goal of reducing the number of poor in half, by 2015. This publication comes complete with expert analysis, prescriptions for the future and a wealth of statistics, graphs and indicators. HTML Version | English | Español | Français |

State of World Population 2000 Lives Together, Worlds Apart: Men and Women in a Time of Change The report examines a broad range of evidence from around the world showing that systematic discrimination against women and girls causes extensive suffering and lost opportunities for both women and men, and holds back efforts to reduce poverty, improve health, stem the spread of HIV/AIDS and slow rapid population growth. HTML Version | English | Español | Français |

State of World Population 1999 6 Billion: A Time for Choices Women are having fewer children than ever before, and population growth has slowed from 2.0 to 1.3 per cent in 30 years. But large families in the recent past mean that there are many more women of childbearing age. Global population is still rising by about 78 million people a year. Half the world is under 25 and there are over a billion young people between 15 and 24, the parents of the next generation. HTML Version | English |

State of World Population 1997 The Right to Choose: Reproductive Rights and Reproductive Health gaps and failures in reproductive health care result in millions of deaths and permanent injuries, mostly to women in developing countries. The State of World Population 1997 report details progress and problems in attaining the right to reproductive and sexual health, and related rights to sexual and reproductive self-determination and security. It reviews the international human rights agreements that define and protect these rights, and examines the effects of denying them to millions of women and men. HTML Version | English | Español | Français |

General Information

Global Youth Partners Brochure Preventing HIV Highlights of a groundbreaking initiative to support young leaders in their advocacy for increased access to information, education and services to help prevent HIV.

Reproductive Health Education for Young People Enabling Choices... Promoting Empowerment The ICPD Programme of Action recognized education as a key factor in sustainable development and in the development of well-being through it's links with demographic as well as social factors. This publication provides an overview of how UNFPA integrates education activities in all its programs on population, reproductive health,gender and HIV/AIDS with an emphasis on the needs of young people. It also highlights successful education programmes in selected countries."

The Road to Global Reproductive Health Reproductive Health and Rights on the International Agenda, 1968–2003 This publication charts the development of international co-operation on reproductive health through the UN system and outlines the language and declarations, which should be delivering these vital health and human rights services to people in every nation. Published by To Better Communication project, coordinated by the media/adavocacy working group of the Eurongos and sponsored by UNFPA.

Advocacy Booklet Series

Preventing HIV Infection, Promoting Reproductive Health UNFPA Response 2002 Previously known as AIDS Update, this is the 11th annual publication to provide information about action taken by UNFPA to prevent HIV infection. HIV/AIDS threatens to destroy a whole generation of leaders, workers, parents and youth, and to create a generation of orphans in the worst-affected countries. In many countries, the infection is creeping through the population,preparing to strike full-force. Prevention is about striking first. Reproductive health information, services and supplies enable people to avoid HIV infection and to protect themselves, their partners and their unborn children from this deadly virus.

Reproductive Health Essentials--Securing the Supply Global Strategy for Reproductive Health Commodity Security Previously known as AIDS Update, this is the 11th annual publication to provide information about action taken by UNFPA to prevent HIV infection. HIV/AIDS threatens to destroy a whole generation of leaders, workers, parents and youth, and to create a generation of orphans in the worst-affected countries. In many countries, the infection is creeping through the population, preparing to strike full-force. Prevention is about striking first. Reproductive health information, services and supplies enable people to avoid HIV infection and to protect themselves, their partners and their unborn children from this deadly virus.

Reproductive Health Commodity Security: Partnerships for Change - A Global Call to Action This document is a response to a call from the international community for UNFPA to take the lead in ensuring reproductive health commodity security (RHCS). It outlines the scope of the issue, identifies required actions at both the global and country levels to ensure RHCS, and proposes specific roles for various partners, from developing country governments to NGOs and the private sector. It also projects contraceptive costs, shortfalls and consequences.

Women’s Empowerment and Reproductive Health: Links Throughout the Life Cycle After describing the international consensus reached in Beijing about empowering women and ending gender inequality, and defining key human rights concepts, the report examines key issues related to reproductive health and rights that affect women throughout their lives. Topics covered include: Early life chances, The mutual relationship between reproductive health and education, Adolescence and the transition to adulthood, Marriage and the family, Labour force participation and employment, Reproductive health and violence and Issues affecting the health of older women

A Time Between: Health, Sexuality and Reproductive Rights of Young People Millions of teenagers lack the information and services to help them prevent unwanted pregnancy, abortion and sexually transmitted disease. This booklet looks at issues related to adolescent sexual and reproductive health, including the need to empower girls to delay pregnancy until physically and emotionally mature, to teach boys to act responsibly, to encourage adults to listen to young people, and to provide young people with information and services that will allow them to protect themselves.

Violence Against Girls and Women: A Public Health Priority While considerable progress has been achieved in establishing gender-based violence as a human rights concern, much less headway has been made in addressing violence against girls and women as a public health issue. Changes in reproductive health policy-making will be critical to recognizing and addressing the consequences of violence for women's health. This booklet outlines the important issue involved and looks to the policy reform process as a way forward.

Coming Up Short: Struggling to Implement the Cairo Programme of Action The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, agreed that international donors should contribute one third of the $17 billion needed annually by the year 2000 for population and reproductive health programmes. UNFPA projects a continued financial shortfall would likely lead to over 100 million additional unwanted pregnancies during 1995-2000, resulting in hundreds of thousands of maternal deaths, millions of infant deaths and tens of millions of abortions.

The Right to Choose: Reproductive Rights and Reproductive Health This booklet, based on The State of World Population 1997, summarizes the international agreements that define sexual and reproductive rights, presents evidence on progress and problems in attaining those rights, and examines the effects of denying them to millions of women and men.

Food for the Future: Women, Population and Food Security Unless women are placed at the centre of efforts to increase food production and are given support for their reproductive rights and reproductive health, vital opportunities will be missed to meet the world's present and future food needs.

Hopes and Realities: Closing the Gap between Women's Aspirations and Their Reproductive Experiences In most countries today, people want fewer children than they did in the past. Over the last 30 years, the average family size dropped from six children to about three. This booklet outlines the results of the Alan Guttmacher Institute's Hopes and Realities report, with data on reproductive health from 42 countries.

Other Reports and Documents

Learning from RHI Partnerships, 1998-2002 The European Commission/UNFPA Initiative for Reproductive Health in Asia From 1998 - 2002 the European Commission, UNFPA and European and local NGOs came together under the Initiative for Reproductive Health in Asia (RHI) to improve the RH of vulnerable populations in 7 countries in South and Southeast Asia. This publication presents the activities, experiences and lessons learned over the course of the first phase of this innovative programme.

The Africa Social Research Programme Call for Proposals An understanding of socio-cultural factors is critical in the context of development and humanitarian programmes.

Declarations on Cairo @ 10

Fifth Asian and Pacific Population Conference Report and Plan of Action on Population and Poverty At the Fifth Asian and Pacific Population Conference held in Bangkok in December 2002, ministers and senior officials from 35 countries adopted a Plan of Action calling for stepped-up efforts and increased resources to provide reproductive health care, combat AIDS and protect adolescents against unwanted or too-early pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. All but one of the participating governments, members of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), fully reaffirmed their commitment to the Programme of Action of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), held in Cairo. [see press release]

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