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The recommendations of the 1994 International Conference on
Population and development (ICPD), of the five-year review of the
ICPD Programme of Action and of the United Nations General Assembly
Special session on HIV/AIDS (UNGASS) provide the overall framework
for UNFPA action.
At the ICPD, 179 countries agreed that population and development
are inextricably linked and that empowering women and meeting
people’s needs for education and health, including reproductive
health, are necessary. In the ICPD Programme of Action, reproductive
health is defined as “a state of complete physical, mental and
social well being, but not limited to, the absence of disease or
infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to
its function and processes." (paragraph 7.2) The definition implies
the ability to have a satisfying and safe sex life, the capability
to reproduce, and the ability to decide the timing and spacing of
children. Reproductive health care is defined as “the constellation
of methods, techniques and services that contribute to reproductive
health and well-being by preventing and solving reproductive health
problems.” The Programme of Action definitions provide for the
prevention and care of sexually transmitted infections (STIs),
including HIV.
The ICPD+5 review document (paragraphs 67 to 72) expresses the need
for urgent action to address HIV/AIDS. The key actions for further
implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action reiterates the need
for education and services at the primary health-care level to
prevent the transmission of STIs and HIV, especially among those
between the ages of 15 and 24 years (see annex I).
UNGASS, held in June 2001, mapped out a comprehensive national and
international response to HIV/AIDS. Drawing upon and endorsing the ICPD and ICPD+5 recommendations concerning HIV/AIDS, Governments
pledged to pursue the following targets:
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To reduce HIV
infection among 15-24-year-olds by 25 per cent in the most affected
countries by 2005 and, globally, by 2010;
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By 2005, to reduce the
proportion of infants infected with HIV by 20 per cent, and by 50
per cent by 2010, by ensuring that 80 per cent of pregnant women
accessing antenatal care have information, counselling and other HIV
prevention services available to them
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By 2005, at least 90
per cent, and by 2010 at least 95 per cent of young men and women
aged 15 to 24 years should have access to information, education and
services necessary to develop the life skills required to reduce
their vulnerability to HIV infection;
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By 2003, to have in
place strategies that begin to address the factors that make
individuals particularly vulnerable to HIV infection, including
underdevelopment, economic insecurity, poverty, lack of empowerment
of women, lack of education, social exclusion, illiteracy,
discrimination, lack of information and/or commodities for
self-protection, and all types of sexual exploitation of women,
girls and boys.
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