The meaning of reproductive health for developing countries: the case of the Middle East

Overview

The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), held in Cairo in 1994, marked a major change for population and health policies in developing countries by recognising a new ‘reproductive health’ approach, and incorporating it into its Programme of Action. The new approach moved the focus of population policy from population growth and its consequences at a societal level, to individual health and wellbeing, and satisfaction of reproductive intentions. This article discusses the progress of population and health professionals in integrating the concept into their work, and offers some pointers in relation to the interests and needs of women in the Middle East region.

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