Target Free Approach (TFA) and Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) as Population Policy

Abstract

The women's groups were able to actively agitate against population control policies at conference on environment held in Rio-de-Janeiro in 1992, at conference on human rights at Vienna 1993, and then they were able to get the POA (Programme of Action) of the conference on population and development (ICPD) held in Cairo in 1994 to clearly state that the population control will not be promoted through incentives or disincentives nor will any targets be given by the governments for achievements in distribution of contraceptives. The discussions at the conference also pointed that women have problems regarding their reproductive health and these were not attended to. The 'culture of silence' surrounding issues related to sex and reproduction further prevented women from discussing their problems. It was stated at the ICPD that the states will take up programmes for empowerment of women, provide information and services on methods of regulating fertility and promote reproductive health.