The United Nations Population Fund - UNFPA  in Mongolia Reproductive Health including Family Planning and Sexual Health   UNFPA’s country programme is focusing on improving access to quality reproductive health information and services in an effort to reduce infant and maternal mortality and cut back on the number of abortions. UNFPA is practically the sole provider of contraceptives and obstetric drugs in the country. In 2000 UNFPA sponsored ten courses for obstetricians, 40 courses for family doctors, 58 courses for midwives and 47 courses for local service providers.   The Fund continued with its support of a Marie Stopes International reproductive health clinic in Ulaan Bator. This for-fee clinic is a model for service provision in the entire country. In 2000, over 26,000 clients used its integrated package of services. This represents a 40% increase over 1999. One third of clients requested services related to the treatment and prevention of STIs and five percent were men. The clinic is already 80% self sufficient from fees; a rate that continues to increase.   Marie Stopes also launched a UNFPA supported social marketing programme for condoms in 2000. A survey in the capital area revealed that 90% of respondents were familiar with the Trust brand name. Demand for condoms is rapidly increasing as a result of public information campaigns and access to services. In 2001 the social marketing of condoms was extended to all 21 aimags (provinces) in the country. Population and Development   One of UNFPA’s most important achievements in 2000 was support for Mongolia’s Population and Housing Census, the first since the transition to a market economy. In addition, using data from the 1998 reproductive health survey, four in-depth studies were conducted on the following subjects: Maternal and Child Health Determinants of Infant and Child Mortality Contraceptive Use and Unmet Needs among Married Women Couples Communication and Contraceptive Use.  The first migration study ever carried out was conducted with the aim of determining rural-urban migration and demographic patterns. Advocacy   UNFPA-sponsored advocacy efforts focused mainly on reproductive health issues aimed at policy makers at the national and local levels. Field visits to various aimags revealed that provincial governors and local officials were supportive of reproductive health initiatives.   The Mongolian Women’s Lawyers Association carried out research on reproductive health and gender-related laws. A review of findings of the research was carried out in April 2000 in order to identify issues for advocacy campaigns.   As part of IEC/advocacy efforts to educate youth and offer reproductive health services, UNFPA sponsors, through Margaret Sanger Center International, a national youth magazine called "Love". This quarterly publication is written and edited by youth for youth. In 2000, 150,000 copies of each issue were printed and distributed to the country’s 585,000 adolescents. Love is the most popular teen magazine in Mongolia.   Advocacy efforts continue to contribute to a supporting reproductive health environment in Mongolia for institutionalizing quality  information and services, with attention to the needs of youth. BACK HOME