Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MASERU506
2007-08-29 10:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:
LESOTHO: 2007 UNFPA COUNTRY PROGRAM DOCUMENT COMMENTS
how-toVZCZCXRO2957 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN DE RUEHMR #0506 2411009 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 291009Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY MASERU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3304 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0086 INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 3697
UNCLAS MASERU 000506
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, IO;
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF SOCI UN LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: 2007 UNFPA COUNTRY PROGRAM DOCUMENT COMMENTS
REF: A) STATE 114072; B) MASERU 408
UNCLAS MASERU 000506
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, IO;
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF SOCI UN LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: 2007 UNFPA COUNTRY PROGRAM DOCUMENT COMMENTS
REF: A) STATE 114072; B) MASERU 408
1. In response to REF A, Embassy Maseru submits the following
comments regarding the 2007 UNFPA Draft Country Programme
Document for Lesotho.
2. UNFPA's five-year proposal (2008-2012) properly focuses on
appropriate objectives: preventing HIV/AIDS; improving
reproductive health; promoting sustainable population growth and
development; and fostering gender equality.
3. In paragraph 2, the document states that the current
population of Lesotho is estimated at 2.2 million and that the
results of the 2006 population and housing census are not yet
available. On July 5, Minister of Finance and Development
Planning Thahane released preliminary census data which has now
been widely disseminated through Lesotho's mass media (REF B).
According to this data, Lesotho's population is currently 1.88
million, reflecting virtual stagnation in the country's
population growth since the 1996 census.
4. In paragraph 20, the document refers to analyzing the
results of the 2006 population and housing census as well as
supporting the intercensal demographic and health survey. We
suggest including specific language about analyzing the effects
of HIV/AIDS as a demographic phenomenon. While Lesotho's
population has stagnated, fertility rates have not, various
rationalizations (i.e., emigration, smaller family size) have
obscured recognition of the significant impact of the world's
third highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate. A UNFPA analysis of the
demographic effects of the pandemic would be useful.
MURPHY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, IO;
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF SOCI UN LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: 2007 UNFPA COUNTRY PROGRAM DOCUMENT COMMENTS
REF: A) STATE 114072; B) MASERU 408
1. In response to REF A, Embassy Maseru submits the following
comments regarding the 2007 UNFPA Draft Country Programme
Document for Lesotho.
2. UNFPA's five-year proposal (2008-2012) properly focuses on
appropriate objectives: preventing HIV/AIDS; improving
reproductive health; promoting sustainable population growth and
development; and fostering gender equality.
3. In paragraph 2, the document states that the current
population of Lesotho is estimated at 2.2 million and that the
results of the 2006 population and housing census are not yet
available. On July 5, Minister of Finance and Development
Planning Thahane released preliminary census data which has now
been widely disseminated through Lesotho's mass media (REF B).
According to this data, Lesotho's population is currently 1.88
million, reflecting virtual stagnation in the country's
population growth since the 1996 census.
4. In paragraph 20, the document refers to analyzing the
results of the 2006 population and housing census as well as
supporting the intercensal demographic and health survey. We
suggest including specific language about analyzing the effects
of HIV/AIDS as a demographic phenomenon. While Lesotho's
population has stagnated, fertility rates have not, various
rationalizations (i.e., emigration, smaller family size) have
obscured recognition of the significant impact of the world's
third highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate. A UNFPA analysis of the
demographic effects of the pandemic would be useful.
MURPHY