Contraception prevalence rates in the Maldives are still “too low”, United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) Representative Andrew Cox has claimed.
Speaking at the launch of UNFPA’s State of World Population 2012 (SWOP) report, Cox said that while many aspects of family planning have greatly improved in the Maldives, contraceptive prevalence rates are lower in comparison to other countries of similar development rate and culture.
Figures revealed by Cox show that infant mortality in the Maldives has dropped from 63 deaths per 1000 births in 1986 to 11 per 1000 in 2009, and that a baby born in the Maldives today can expect to live for 74 years – more than 20 years older than a child born in 1980.
However, according to Cox contraceptive prevalence in the Maldives is considerably low in comparison to other comparable countries.
“The prevalence rate of contraception is too low, especially for a country like the Maldives. It is definitely something we need to work with the government on,” Cox told Minivan News.
Further figures revealed by Vice President Mohamed Waheed Deen – who attended the launch to release the SWOP report – show that one in every four pregnancies in the Maldives were unplanned, while 16 percent were unwanted and a further ten percent mistimed.
Deen further stated that the family production unit at Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital’s (IGMH) records show 33 percent of women aged 23 had ‘out of wedlock’ pregnancies.
Deen gave his assurance that the government will be part of the development of family planning, adding that “[family planning] is a must”.
“Very often this type of information is easier for non-government organisations (NGOs) to pass on. We support the gender ministry and the health ministry, and if it comes to financial support we would help them.
“Family planning affects the whole economy in a positive way, so we would definitely be willing to help out,” Deen said.
The SWOP report, entitled ‘By Choice, Not by Chance: Family Planning, Human Rights and Development’, focuses on the need for family planning both globally and in the Maldives.
UNFPA’s role in Maldives began in the early 1980s with the launch of national programmes on family planning and population. Since then, four country programmes have been launched addressing issues around family planning.
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Andrew you are the biggest contraceptive error the Maldives has ever seen!
Get lost Andrew, you filthy Bhagee. You only still have a job because the coup bought to power your grubby little friend Waheed. Soon all your misdeeds will be exposed in detail.
Well, well, we need to keep contraception use low in order to keep our numbers up in an ever increasing population of Bangalhis.
Never mind the fact that the country cannot afford to house, feed or employ all the "contraceptive errors"...
You retards seem to have a problem with anybody who criticizes you, especially if they are UN representatives............there was garbage hurled at Navi Pillay who questioned your human rights records and now you have Andrew Cox in your sights because he says you are breeding like rats.
Male is already the most populated place in South Asia..........a whole bunch of druggies living cheek by jowl on a tiny island..........scary, scary!!
The UN should add something to your water.
Thank you for sharing your views with us Mr. Cox.
When comments made to promote reproductive health and family planning are considered political we must stop and think about the condition of our country.
It is not the Coxes, Pillays and the Mullays who deserve our criticism. It is rather the Mike Masons and the David Hardinghams who act against decorum by actively interfering in the politics of a foreign country.
We all know he is using it..
Andrew,
Have you finally got sometime off from convincing the international community that this coup govt is legitimate. By the way the islamist coup govt you have helped to legitimise is against contraception
Andrew Cox ure a Ignorant Fool. Condoms r ure issues when People were Beaten by police in broad daylight infront of cameras u stood shut... u should be kicked out of the Maldives.
Sure beat up the guy who tells it like it is. The place is a slum and judging from the comments above, it's no suprise the slum dwellers are out flaunting their simple minds. Amazing that yet, you just keep reproducing your slimy ignorant breed.
The UN or India or any other country are not here for lack of a better option you fools! Dream on!
I say our international partners just take their money elsewhere, where it is appreciated! Nothing but a frustrated bunch here. You can't blame everything under the sun for how an incompetent leader had to go. Admit it, eynaves, meenaves rangalheh noonennu aslu. Just digest how things went down, keep calm, and go eat a roshi or something.
Coxey your work to legitimise the coup regime has been most successful. You can now relax knowing you have done your best to establish islamic extremism and coup politics in the Maldives as precedent!
All Cox are required to wear suitable (halaal) condoms in the Maldives.
How can anyone take you serious Andrew, you really are a silly man.
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andrew kock on Wed, 21st Nov 2012 2:09 PM
Andrew Cox ure a Ignorant Fool. Condoms r ure issues when People were Beaten by police in broad daylight infront of cameras u stood shut… u should be kicked out of the Maldives.
CoxSahib on Wed, 21st Nov 2012 2:49 PM
Coxey your work to legitimise the coup regime has been most successful. You can now relax knowing you have done your best to establish islamic extremism and coup politics in the Maldives as precedent!!
What a emotional bunch of people out here. Unable to take up any criticism and yet not making progress in any front. Unable to decide who runs the government, unable to manage your economy, wishing tourists visit you so that you earn money and don't visit you because they are "destroying" your great culture, running on imported food, water, machines, medicines, doctors, teachers etc. You guys seriously need to introspect.