In Africa, hope and difficulties; training nurses in Angola and teaching young men responsible parenthood in Seychelles.

In Africa, hope and difficulties

Training nurses in Angola and teaching young men responsible parenthood in Seychelles

ANGOLA trained nurses to provide family planning services. Seychelles started a drive to educate young working people, particularly men, in responsible parenthood. Zimbabwe received a great quantity of contraceptives.

All of this was accomplished in 1986 in sub-Saharan Africa with UNFPA help.

Computer breakdowns slow work

But not all programmes worked equally well.

Repeated computer breakdowns slowed down the Guinea census and the maternal and child health care project in Gabon was delayed by lack of equipment, staff and funds, according to UNFPA's latest annual report. Special projects for women in the region did not advance as rapidly as hoped.

An exciting project in Tanzania

One particularly exciting project being handled by the UNFPA Africa Division is Tanzania's "Responsible Parenthood' programme, according to Deputy Chief Elin Ranneberg-Nilsen, a Norwegian expert with a background in economics and field experience in Uganda.

"We started it in 1979 or 1980 as a small programme. And it has since become more acceptable. Everybody is now involved in it: parent's associations, NGOs, the Government . . .', she says.

The goal is to teach people how the reproductive system works, "not narrowly, but in the context of larger health and ethical issues'. This is done through the school system and through agricultural extension programmes, the trade unions and more informal channels.

Ms. Ranneberg-Nilsen feels that 1987 has been the breakthrough year in Tanzania.

"As in most other places, we started there trying to sensitize people in the Ministry of Education and other key positions. The breakthrough comes when these people start advocating for the Government to accept population programmes. That's when action can be taken', she says.

More assistance to Africa

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