PCC Contact:
 | Mr. Jacques van Zuydam PCC and Chief Director Population and Development Department of Social Development Private Bag X901, Pretoria 0001 Republic of South Africa Tel: (27-12) 312 7961, 317 6500 Fax: (27-12) 312 7710 E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |  |
South Africa Workplan for 2008/2009
Background
South Africa belongs to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) composed of fifteen member states. The following indicators give an overview of the population situation in southern Africa:
• There is a general decline in fertility in the region, but the decline is not homogeneous in all the countries;
• Fertility is the main driver for population growth, and there is inverse relationship to wealth;
• Infant mortality still high, and rising in some countries;
• Huge variation GNI in region with high internal inequality; and
• High proportion of urban dwellers in poorly serviced slums.
According to the mid-2007 estimates from Statistics South Africa, South Africa's population stands at some 47.9-million, up from the census 2001 count of 44.8-million. The survey also indicated that fertility is estimated to be approximately 2.5 children per woman. The crude death rate is estimated to be 14.3 per 1000 population. The country has challenges that relate to teenage pregnancy, rapid urbanization, infant mortality and HIV/AIDS.
Goal: To promote and support inter-sectoral information sharing, projects and programmes for the improvement of the provision and access to reproductive health services in South Africa and southern Africa.
Determination of workplan activities: The National Population Unit of South Africa has been engaging with various stakeholders on SRHR issues that formed part of the 10 year review of the South African Population Policy.
STRATEGIC FOCUS 1: Advocacy and coalition building
Objective 1.1. To increase awareness and support for RH among key policy and decision makers.
SA 1. 1.1. Advocate and promote SRH in the region
SA 1. 1.2. Enhance members’ capacity to undertake advocacy
Activities:
Participate in the development and implementation of the SADC regional RH Advocacy Strategy
Hold RH advocacy training workshops for NGOs and public sector
Conduct media advocacy campaigns on RH
Host a national south-south workshop to advocate on PPD and its activities to stakeholders.
Objective 1.2. To strengthen linkages and strategic partnerships with other international, regional and national institutions and civil society organizations to create synergies, avoid duplication and maximize available resources in furtherance of the implementation of agreements (ICPD, MDGs, Maputo PoA, etc).
SA 1.2.2 Strengthen internal and external communication mechanisms (e.g. newsletters, website)
SA 1.2.3. Facilitate exchange visits
SA 1.2.4. Engage with cultural and traditional institutions to address socio-cultural barriers that impede SRHR (e.g. SGBV, FGM/C)
Activities:
Use the PED newsletter to disseminate RH information
Produce and disseminate RH brochures and policy briefs
Host and participate in regional exchange and learning visits.
Participate in regional and international conventions to inject P+D and RH issues (including PPD Board meeting 2008/ United Nations Population and Development Commission and G77).
Collaborate with the UNFPA and other donor agencies on population and development research and capacity building (i.e. GBV, HIV/AIDS, etc)
Facilitate the production of a SADC ICPD+15 Report
STRATEGIC FOCUS 2: Programme Development and Expansion
Objective 2.1. To enhance capacity of partner organizations to offer integrated SRHR programmes
SA2.1.1: Share good practices and information
SA2.1.2: Formulate an annual WORK PLAN.
Activities:
Source, package, document, disseminate and exchange good practices and innovative models
Participate in EARHN coordination meetings to learn for replication in the SADC RH Network (SARHN).
Participate in PCC annual coordination meeting.
Participate (also provide opportunities to NGOs and partners) in short courses and field exchange visits on population and development, including RH.
Objective 2.2. To facilitate the strengthening of health systems, in particular with regard to provision of RH supplies and their procurement and distribution
SA2.2.1: Facilitate information sharing among member and collaborating countries on RH supplies (provision, procurement, distribution)
Activities:
Support the National Department of Health and other stakeholders on strengthening health systems. Share expertise on RH issues.
Strategic Focus 3: Institutional Strengthening
Objective 3.1. To strengthen SARHN’s organizational capacities, systems and structure.
3.1.1 To strengthen SARHN’s organizational capacities, systems and structure.
Activities:
Implement 2009 annual work plans Coordination of SARHN member countries