Human Rights-Based Approach to Programming - UNFPA - SESSION 7: Population and Development

Session Overview Introduction to UNFPA’s work in population and development Population and development and culture Applying a HRBA to population and development Examples of UNFPA’s work in population and development Conclusions

Introduction (1) Population and development is a cornerstone of UNFPA’s mandate An area where it holds strong comparative advantage Ensuring appropriate collection and use of population and development data is relevant to UNFPA activities and across the UN in general The thematic area of population and development is a cornerstone of UNFPA’s mandate and an area where it holds strong comparative advantage. Ensuring appropriate collection and use of population and development data is an area that is particularly relevant to UNFPA activities and across the UN in general. UNFPA is a leader in collecting data and information on fertility, mortality, migration, displacement and other population dynamics that impact all aspects of human and economic development.

Introduction (2) UNFPA’s goal in this thematic area is: systematic use of population dynamics analyses to guide increased investments in gender equality, youth development, reproductive health and HIV/AIDS for improved quality of life, sustainable development and poverty reduction UNFPA’s goal in this thematic area is: systematic use of population dynamics analyses to guide increased investments in gender equality, youth development, reproductive health and HIV/AIDS for improved quality of life, sustainable development and poverty reduction. UNFPA supports data collection, as well as its use, to advocate for the above issues and for human rights. Equally important is UNFPA’s work to promote the use of this data to drive evidence-based policies and programs. It is clear that the population and development pillar is fundamental to the other two thematic areas.

Population and Development and Culture Population and development work must pay attention to culture Need for improved appreciation of linkages between population and poverty, and such appreciation requires sensitivity to the cultural context Culture, religion and tradition can have major impacts on individual reproductive choices, and thus on broader population and development matters UNFPA understands the importance of culture, and thus promotes a culturally sensitive, gender-responsive human rights-based approach to population and development activities Remember, UNFPA implements a culturally sensitive, gender-responsive, HRBA. The links between population and culture are important. For example, when working with nomadic communities such as Bedouin, it is important to understand how cultural norms impact their migratory choices when conducting a survey or census. Cultural values also shape population dynamics like desired fertility rates. Remember the synergy between participation and inclusion (HRBA principles) and the culturally sensitive approach. Overall, understanding culture enriches the population and development pillar.

A Human Rights Based Approach to Population and Development (1) Processes of collecting and using information are in line with human rights principles Requires taking into account extent to which existing services are available, accessible, acceptable and of high quality to the population The principles of participation and inclusion are critical to all population and development activities The principle of accountability is crucial: through data collection, an evidence base is created for use in shaping development policies and programmes Definition of a HRBA to population and development work: Establishing that the processes of collecting and using information are in line with human rights principles, and applying human rights principles systematically to ensure that this is the case. A HRBA also requires taking into account the extent to which existing services are available, accessible, acceptable and of high quality to the population. For example, in designing a survey on access and utilization of HIV services, it is important to look at availability, or how many services (clinics, hospitals, mobile centers) are available in different geographic areas, and it is equally as important to look at informed consent and confidentiality issues to measure acceptability. The principles of participation and inclusion are critical to all population and development activities. For example, when you are preparing for a census, you want to make sure you capture all individuals and communities in the country, including homeless persons and street children, who will not have a stable address. Similarly, when working among different ethnic minorities, you want to ensure that the results of your census are trusted by all in order to avoid political and other disputes about the results after the data is processed. The principles of participation and inclusion help promote a sense of ownership when collecting data on population and development. The principle of accountability is crucial: Through data collection, an evidence base is created for use in shaping development policies and programmes. For example, ensuring that programs and policies are evidenced-based is a form of accountability. It is also important to ensure clarity as to where the evidence-based data comes from and how subsequent decisions where made. If a government is promoting an abstinence-only SRH program, it should be questioned because there is a lack of evidence about the effectiveness of these programs. In such a situation, informing the public about why a comprehensive SRH program works best may be one way of rectifying the problem of poor accountability. Census and other types of data are instrumental for the construction of human rights indicators—to evaluate to what extent the state is meeting its obligations with regard to human rights, especially social, economic and cultural rights.

A Human Rights Based Approach to Population and Development (2) Principles of universality and inalienability, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness can strengthen population and development programmes by emphasizing intersections between human rights. Principles of equality and non-discrimination can contribute to increasing equity and to improving effectiveness of poverty reduction strategies in the long term. Keeping in mind the human rights principles of universality and inalienability, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness can strengthen population and development programmes by emphasizing the intersections between human rights. For example, considering all rights means being holistic in data collection. Because of the links between the right to health and the right to privacy, when looking at SRH services from a HRBA, you must look at privacy and confidentiality issues—and not just at the presence and use of these services. Implementing the principles of equality and non-discrimination can contribute to increasing equity and to improving the effectiveness of poverty reduction strategies in the long term. For example, these principles are critical in thinking about what data is collected, and also how it is collected, and how it is being used. In choosing what to collect, equality and non-discrimination require adequate disaggregation to understand differences between groups and sub-groups. In the process of data collection, it is important not to worsen discrimination—do not advertise publicly that you are conducting a focus group on GBV among men who have sex with men if these are taboo issues in a society, as this compromises the privacy and safety of those participating. In choosing how to use the data, make sure, for instance, that data on clean water among different ethnic communities is used to channel resources to those communities in an equitable fashion, and that it is not used by those in power to discriminate against those communities by taking water resources away from them.

Examples of UNFPA’s Population and Development Work (1) Strengthen understanding of links between population and development Supports national capacity to collect and use population data for policies and programmes that will improve reproductive health, reduce poverty and inequality, and contribute to sustainable development UNFPA seeks to strengthen understanding of the links between population and development and supports national capacity to collect and use population data for policies and programmes that will improve reproductive health, reduce poverty and inequality, and contribute to sustainable development. Remember our discussions on building the capacity of duty-bearers to fulfil their obligations—this is an example of that.

Examples of UNFPA’s Population and Development Work (2) Supports countries to: invest in censuses and household and other thematic surveys develop good administrative records and vital statistics, so that information can be collected for analysis and utilization for policy development and for monitoring progress on the achievement of the MDGs and ICPD goals UNFPA supports countries to invest in censuses and household and other thematic surveys and to develop good administrative records and vital statistics, so that information can be collected for analysis and utilization for policy development and for monitoring progress on the achievement of the MDGs and ICPD goals.

Examples of UNFPA’s Population and Development Work (3) Plays a major role in bringing population issues to bear in poverty reduction discussions Concerned with a number of emerging population issues, such as: international migration (an urgent issue in view of the magnitude of current global migration flows) urbanization (its root causes, patterns and socio-economic implications) Changing age structures Linkages between population and the environment, particularly climate change UNFPA plays a major role in bringing population issues to bear in poverty reduction discussions. UNFPA is also concerned with a number of emerging population issues, such as international migration (an urgent issue in view of the magnitude of current global migration flows), as well as urbanization (its root causes, patterns and socio-economic implications), changing age structures and linkages between population and the environment, particularly climate change. Ask participants to provide more examples of their work in population and development. How have they considered human rights in their work?

Population and Development Conclusion (1): Expanding the Census Lessons to Other Population and Development Work While the importance of making disaggregated data available is clear with regard to ensuring non-discrimination, carefully think about ensuring that the process of gathering disaggregated data is in line with human rights. In order to determine a population’s needs with regard to services, assess the extent to which existing services are available, accessible, acceptable and of high quality. The participation of a wide range of stakeholders is critical to all population and development activities, and it is important to recognize that partners and other stakeholders might require capacity-building in order to truly engage in such processes. Note: Link these conclusions to the results of the groups after they have completed this Module’s exercise(s).

Population and Development Conclusion (2): Expanding the Census Lessons to other Population and Development Work The concept of accountability, and especially government accountability, is crucial in the whole area of population and development. Understanding duty-bearers’ existing capacities and capacity gaps can help you target your technical support or training to where it is most needed. Advocating for the use of good quality data can help to ensure an informed and appropriate response to all population and development issues.