The movement continues. IPPF
Inayatullah, A.
Joicfp News 276: 2
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0911-0755 PMID: 12292624 Document Number: 268624
In her speech initiating the Kato Award in honor of Mme. Shidzue Kato, Dr. Attiya Inayatullah, president of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) noted that Kato is one of the great women who served as a "founding mother" of the IPPF. The Kato award also highlights the IPPF's appreciation for the sustained strategic support received from the Japanese people and government. Through the momentum of grassroots family planning associations (FPAs), the IPPF has grown from eight FPAs in 1952 to 60 in 1974 and 160 today. That the conceptual work of population planners has also grown can be seen by examining the themes of the world population conferences. In 1974, the idea that development is the best contraceptive was considered novel. By 1984, planners were discussing the interrelationship between population, economic development, and quality of life. Then the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development produced a Program of Action that shifted attention from demographic, target-driven goals to democratic, client-centered goals emphasizing women's needs. The Program of Action's chapter on gender equality, equity, and the empowerment of women is considered the strongest international statement on women's status. Another advance seen in 1994 was recognition of the need for partnerships between governments and the private sector. Inayatullah called upon the 160 IPPF FPAs to actively pursue such a partnership.