Experts presented and discussed recommendations regarding various health and population issues in a policy dialogue on "Alternative Perspectives-Initiatives 2008." Advocates of Gender Sensitisation, Education and Health Information (Agehi) Resource Centre organised the event at the SACHET gallery in connection with World Population Day 2008, which falls on July 11.
The dialogue was aimed at collating some concrete recommendations for the Ministry of Population and Health and other concerned stakeholders, besides information dissemination, learning and exchange of views. The proceedings of the dialogue would be shared with Pakistan Reproductive Health Network (PRHN) for receiving inputs from its members across the country.
Vice President SACHET, Dr Rakhshanda Perveen presented welcome address while a documentary on "Adolescent Reproductive Health" was screened to bring together the diverse but matching perspectives that may explain the complex issues of Reproductive Health for adolescents and youth in Pakistan.
According to the participants of dialogue, the endeavour would offer an opportunity to the policy planners to receive direct views from the implementers, that in turn may be considered for future policy and planning.
Panelists of the dialogue included Senior Researcher, Population Council Pakistan, Minhaj-ul-Haque, Director General, Social Marketing, Ministry of Population Welfare, Muazzam Shah, Country Director, Packard Foundation Pakistan, Yasmin Qazi and others. The SACHET started working as a registered non-profitable voluntary organisation in May 1999.
It undertook the task by struggling to create a socially acceptable, scientifically exact, culturally aware, gender sensitive and ethically just model of communication. The dialogue was attended by participants from diverse backgrounds, civil society organisations, researchers and students.