Ms Bathabile Dlamini, speaking as South Africa’s Minister of Social Development, gave a strong presentation at a meeting of the commission on population and development on harnessing the demographic dividend and ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health at the UN in New York. In the context of the Addis Ababa Declaration, she discussed sexual and reproductive health and rights, reproductive justice and the links between human rights and development.
The Minister reaffirmed her government’s position in relation to population and development, saying “The South African Population Policy, in accordance with the South African Constitution and guided by the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action (ICPD), emphasises the attainment of sustainable development and places people at the centre of that development. Development is seen as a process of enlarging people’s capabilities and ensuring that they enjoy long, healthy and creative lives. This is based on an approach that fundamental human rights and sustainable development cannot be separated if we are to improve the lives of people.”
Click to read more ...