Advocacy on Population and Development with Parliamentarians

The Indian Parliament discussed population issues for the first time in 33 years in August 2010. In this context, it was necessary to develop a strategy to ensure that the policy interest in family planning does not become a coercive force but an opportunity for young people to enjoy their reproductive rights with access to information and services. As a member of the National Coalition on Population and Development, CHSJ conducted a set of activities for generating awareness and developing a campaign to mobilise public opinion across different constituencies and stakeholder groups. These activities included:

• A set of eight briefing sheets on population and development in Hindi and English written and disseminated among concerned stakeholders.
• A paper titled, Family Planning and Contraceptive Use in India: New Priorities, New Approaches.
• A review of key arguments made for and against population stabilization during the Parliament debate held on August 5, 2010. Also prepared documents on questions raised in Rajyasabha & Parliament during 15th Parliamentary session.

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