Bangladesh’s position may be compromised in the sixth Asian and Pacific Population Conference (APPC) due to lack of preparation, fear senior government officials.
Prior to attending the conference, an inter-ministerial meeting slated for September 10 was not held.
SM Latif, personal secretary to the state minister for women and children affairs, told the Dhaka Tribune that the meeting could not be held, as the ministry had to hold its internal meeting involving ministry officials.
The five-day conference that began on Monday dealt with thorny issues such as abortion, women’s property rights and the inclusion of comprehensive sexual education in school curricula, all revolving around one central topic; the rights of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender).
When asked about Bangladesh’s stance on the sensitive subjects, he said the "country paper" was not with him and he had no clue with whom it was in the ministry.
The director-general of the department of women affairs had the country paper but he flew to Bangkok on Friday to attend the conference, he said.
This is the first time the delegation is being led by the ministry of women and children affairs instead of the health ministry, which traditionally had been leading the Bangladeshi delegation in this conference till now.
After going through the draft document prepared by the UNFPA, a joint secretary-level official said: “It is undoubtedly a health related concern and for the last 20 years had been supervised by the health ministry.”
The change of the leading ministry might weaken the country’s presentation, he feared.
“Due to lack of preparation and poorly constructed delegation, it is apparent that Bangladesh will dance to the tune of UNFPA, which has a complete opposite position over some of the prominent issues that are politically sensitive at the same time in the context of Bangladesh,” he said.
Meher Afroze Chumki will lead the delegation from Bangladesh in the conference that commenced on Monday.
The United Nations Population Fund prepared a briefing note for Bangladesh.
Regarding comprehensive sexual education, the note says: “The delegation should strongly support the realisation of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (ASRHR), including access to SRH [sexual and reproductive health] information, services and sexuality education.”
The note on women’s inheritance issue stipulates that "[Bangladesh] may refrain from making comments on the language related to women’s equal rights to inherited custom as it is a sensitive area."
On sexual orientation and gender identity issues, the UNFPA proposed that the delegation should "refrain from voting against any motions in favour of services for LGBT."
The 6th APPC will discuss and finalise the draft outcome document on population and development for ministers to sign and adopt. The conference secretariat and UNFPA prepared the draft.
Representatives from 40 countries will attend the Sixth Asian and Pacific Population Conference on September 16-20 in Bangkok.
The Conference will review the region’s successes, challenges and future priorities in the area of population and development. Its agenda covers a wide range of issues including poverty reduction, sexual and reproductive health and rights, HIV and AIDS, gender equality, youth, ageing, migration, and sustainable development.
