Women's Declaration on Population Policies (in preparation for the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development)

In September 1992, women's health advocates representing women's networks in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, the U.S. and Western Europe met to discuss how women's voices might best be heard during preparations for the 1994 Conference on Population and Development and in the conference itself. The group suggested that a strong positive statement from women around the world would make a unique contribution to reshaping the population agenda to better ensure reproductive health and rights. The group drafted a `Women's Declaration on Population Policies,' which was reviewed, modified and finalised by over 100 women's organisations across the globe. The Declaration calls for a fundamental revision in the design, structure and implementation of population policies, to foster the empowerment and well-being of all women. It lists minimum program requirements and ten ethical principles which should underpin population policies so that they are responsive to women's needs and rights.