Chairperson, distinguished delegates

Yesterday we presented three pertinent issues that, for our country, defines the thematic relations between population, gender and development. These are the issues of globalization, HIV / AIDS and reproductive health and sexual rights. We explained, at the conceptual level, how we envisaged the operationalisation of the relationship between these issues in programmatic focus areas.

What we will do today is to share with you some data and the historical causes and consequences of South Africa’s particular population experience in relation to gender and development.

First, the state of demographic transition in South Africa. Fertility trends, as expressed in the Total Fertility Rate (TFR - the total number of children born per woman in her reproductive years), in South Africa have declined from between 6 and 7 in 1950 - 1970, to 4 - 5 in the 1980s, and our current TFR is 2,9. The current TFR comprises of an urban rate of 2,3, compared with a non-urban rate of 3,9. For women with no education, it is 4,5 - reducing gradually to 1,9 for women with post school education. The population group with the highest TFR is non-urban African women. All population groups in urban areas have a TFR of less than 2,5.

Mortality rates, including infant, under five and maternal mortality, have consistently declined over past decades. The current Infant Mortality Rate is 45 / 1000, under five mortality is 59 / 1000, and the Maternal Mortality Rate is 150 / 100 000. These are the consequence of improved primary health care and water reticulation services (amongst others), particularly since 1994. Alarmingly, we are currently observing a stagnation in maternal mortality decline, and in certain areas even increases in under five mortality. This is because of HIV / AIDS.

The rapid movement of urban South Africans through demographic transition is probably attributable to the very aggressive family planning programme and population policy of the former apartheid government in South Africa, which had as singular objective the reduction of the fertility of black women in the country. That government was driven by an obsession to demographically control the lives and livelihoods of black South Africans, as a strategy to supplement its social, economic and political repression and exploitation of the majority of the country’s population.

Therefore, the so-called population strategies of that government undermined women’s reproductive rights, as part of a total dis-empowerment strategy.

It has however left us with a demographic profile more typically associated with women enjoying an improved educational, economic and social status. Sadly, women did not and still do not enjoy such statuses, in spite of our very progressive and liberal constitutional and legislative dispensations governing gender and development.

Do the means justify the end, one would be tempted to ask. This brings me to the second issue - HIV / AIDS in the South African society. As we speak, about 150 000 AIDS deaths have already occurred in South Africa. Almost 12 % of our population is HIV positive. This does not sound alarming to the lay ear. Projected against our total population of about 42 million, and over the next decade, conservative estimates are that by 2009, 6 094 529 South Africans will have died of AIDS. Most of those dead will have been women, particularly of the 25 - 49 age groups. Male deaths will also be concentrated in those age groups. It is these projections that led me to refer yesterday to increased dependency rates and social and economic devastation.

Life expectancy projections - ours has declined by 6 ½ years over the past decade - do not reflect the fact that we will be faced by generations of AIDS orphans, and a growing elderly population with little or no support and care.

I wish to add to yesterday’s call by our delegation to regard HIV / AIDS as a global concern beyond mere humanitarian considerations. Particularly our trading partners in the north may well consider the possible demise of a market and a source of products that is so integrated with theirs that liberalised trade has become a political priority for them.

Finally, I will touch on the response of the South African government, in partnership with the NGO sector and other role players, to these population realities. Health and welfare programmes are assuming a community involvement and partnership approach, to create caring local communities. We are increasingly introducing sexuality education in our schools, and will probably have to extend that to pre-adolescent age groups as well.

Our population programme was developed in the post-ICPD era, and is recognised as a very good example of the policy translation of the ICPD Programme of Action. That programme has now been focussed almost exclusively on the demographic impact of HIV / AIDS, on three levels:

1. Preparing the society, economically and socially, for the impact of the pandemic, and promoting planning in accordance with the projected impacts;
2. Assessing, and pursuing, intervention programmes aimed at the most vulnerable groups to new infections, and the groups amongst whom new infections can be curbed, i.e. adolescent youth;
3. Intensified population advocacy and Information Education Communication projects, with the HIV / AIDS theme, targeting decision makers in all spheres.

These initiatives are to be complemented by a much more empowering reproductive health approach, that promotes reproductive choice for women, especially in marginal, poor, rural areas. And male responsibility coupled thereto.

Chairperson, I will conclude by indicating why we are lumping these issues together. I referred to the suggestion of improved gender equality if one relies solely on reading fertility indicators. The grip that HIV / AIDS secured over our society is however the result of (amongst others) the systematic and institutionalised dis-empowerment of women over a period of centuries - exacerbated by two decades of infringement on, if not denial of, reproductive choices.

We are therefore not tempted to see the demographic changes of the past three decades as gains, but as a prelude to the current demographic devastation by HIV / AIDS.

Distinguished colleagues, South Africa therefore encourages all nations to seek, over the next days and years of Commission activities, to even further emphasise and programmise gender activities that empower women sexually, and entrench male responsibility.

Thank you.