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Message from Gerry Brooks, FPATT Chairman

On World Population Awareness Week
October 10 - 16 1999

Today, the planet earth becomes home to over 6 billion people. As we take time to mark this day and observe World Population Awareness Week, we must recognise that we are being given a mandate to do more than merely record this staggering number of men, women and children.
We must all, whether individuals or agencies - non-governmental organisations or world governments, pause to consider the impact a growing world population has on our quality of life and its implications for generations to come. More than this, we are being called to devise strategies to ensure that we enjoy optimal standards of living even as a part of a burgeoning world population.

FPATT's involvement

The link between population and development is indisputable. The Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT), as a signatory to the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo in 1994, has made a further linkage between sexual and reproductive health and rights and our people's overall development
FPATT, over its 43 years of existence, has used a number of strategies for achieving higher standards and quality of life. There is, however, still much to be achieved. Only with the partnership and support of individuals, government and international donors and friends could the Association continue to strive for the goals which embody our existence: To promote sexual and reproductive health and rights and contribute to a reduction in fertility rates and a consequent rise in living standards in Trinidad and Tobago. Ultimately our success will redound to all of us here in Trinidad and Tobago and to the benefit of the six billion of us as well as generations to come.

FPATT's strategies

With this in mind, FPATT has outlined the following strategies to achieve its goals in the years ahead:
The FPA Express

Increasing the availability of sexual and reproductive health care services to disadvantaged communities. By further expanding our outreach programme 'The FPA Express, we will provide safe, modern means of family planning to more men and women'. This will continue to result in the decline in the fertility rate which is now below replacement levels and the falling teenage pregnancy rate which currently stands at 14%.

Information and Education

Promoting improved sexual and reproductive health and rights and preserving gains made in this sphere. FPATT strives to achieve optimal sexual and reproductive health as specified in the comprehensive definition (that guides the Cairo programme of Action) which reads inter alia: 'Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity '. The Association will continue to pursue a path of information dissemination and education via our clinics and programmes to men, women and youth; provide high quality services, which meet the varied needs of our segments within our communities with a view to facilitating improved sexual and reproductive health.

Eradicating Unsafe Abortions

The practice of unsafe abortions is another sphere of concern for the Association. Indeed this is an issue of public health that must be addressed, in partnership with government and relevant agencies. FPATT believes that abortion is not a method of contraception and certainly not the answer to our exploding world population. FPATT, however, believes that if a woman has to make the difficult decision to terminate a pregnancy she should not be forced to do so in unregulated environments with the high potential for deleterious effects on her future reproductive health.

Working with Young People

The youth are our future and if we are to effectively address population issues and concerns, this group has to be sufficiently armed with the requisite knowledge and skills to manage their fertility and sexual health. FPATT will continue to strengthen its relationship with the youth through the FPA Youth Advocacy Movement (YAM) and its other educational outreach programmes which target schools and youth groups.

Working with The Government

The Family Planning Association congratulates the Government on its foresight in seeking to strengthen infrastructure and support systems in the health care sector as detailed in its 1999/2000 budget. FPA looks forward to working with government and with other NGOs in the establishment of the Community Care Programme. This is an excellent vehicle through which vital services and education on sexual and reproductive health issues could be disseminated to those in under-served communities. To achieve the goals outlined, of course, we continue to seek additional financial support from the government and the private sector.

Working with The World

During this World Population Awareness Week, I urge you to take time out and focus on how you can contribute to the "Population Issue". Remember that each one of us has a responsibility to maintain our planet and an acceptable standard of living for ourselves and of course, for generations to come.