World Population Day, 11 July, 2017 Report

In 1989, the then-Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recommended that 11 July be observed as World Population Day. An outgrowth of the Day of Five Billion, marked on 11 July 1987, the Day seeks to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues, particularly in the context of overall development. The Day was first marked on 11 July 1990 in more than 90 countries. By resolution 45/216 of 21 December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly decided to continue World Population Day and activities to enhance awareness of population issues, including their links to the environment and development.

The theme for World Population Day 2017 is “Family Planning: Empowering People, Developing Nations.”

In Rwanda, World Population Day (WPD)2017 celebrations focused on media activities to raise awareness on the importance of Family planning. The government of Rwanda was represented by the Ministry of Health in all activities; The Minister, Dr. Diane Gashumba,and UNFPA Representative, Mr Mark Bryan Schreiner, interviewed during Rwanda Television news and are quoted in the supplement published in The New Times paper titled: Couples embrace Family planning for economic stability;

“Family planning has a range of benefits for an individual, family, community and development of a Nation. Rwanda has invested in family planning as key priority for health and the wellbeing of the nation. This year’s WPD theme & global Family Planning Summit in London provides us an opportunity to scale up globally and in Rwanda our investments in Family Planning as contribution to maternal health and our nations continued development.” Dr. Diane Gashumba, Minister of Health, Rwanda.

“Achieving the world’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 will depend significantly on how well the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and young people are fulfilled. Catering to their unmet need for family planning is among the most cost-effective investments overall,” said Mark Bryan Schreiner UNFPA Rwanda Country Representative.

The following were the activities done to celebrate the day in details:

1.    Celebration of WPD 2017 coincided with London Family Planning Summit which was an opportunity for UNFPA and Rwanda in particular, to renew commitments, to advocate for investments in FP and expand global partnerships. With support from UNFPA East and South Africa Regional Director, Dr. Julitta Onabanjo, Dr. Diane Gashumba theMinister of Health and Mark Bryan Schreiner, UNFPA Rwanda Representative, represented Rwanda in the global commemoration in London.

2.    Family Planning Article published in the New Times paper on 11^th July, 2017 and posted online as well. http://www.newtimes.co.rw/section/advertorial/969/ titled “Couples embrace Family planning for economic stability”

3.    The web banner on New Times was up for a week 10^th – 16^th July, 2017 http://www.newtimes.co.rw/ and was linked to UNFPA Rwanda website statement of Acting Executive Director . The web banner was rotational with 2 key messages: “WPD” and “London FP Summit” themes

4.    WPD story aired on the National Television on 11^th July, 2017 during news 8;00 - 8:30 PM and again in English news at 10:00 PM. The coverage included interviews for UNFPA Representative Mark Bryan Schreiner, Minister Dr. Diane, and beneficiaries. Key messages included; Importance of family planning, the London summit on FP which coincided with WPD celebrations, and testimonies from beneficiaries.

5.    Daphrose Nyirasafari, UNFPA Programme Specialist, Reproductive Health and Rights and Dr. Anicet Nzabonimpa, from Ministry of Health conducted a radio talk show at Radio Rwanda studio. The talk show was aired on all 5 Community Radios between 7: 00 PM - 7:45 PM.

6.    Twitter and FB posts in addition to social media pack provided by ESARO

7.    The Statement from the Acting ED on WPD was posted on UNFPA Rwanda website https://rwanda.unfpa.org/en/news/message-world-population-day-2017-2

8.    Article to be published in One UN Rwanda quarterly Newsletter “Turi Kumwe”