WRITTEN QUESTION E-3664/03 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission. Women's reproductive health.
Date: 2003-12-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Liberia, aid programme, health aid, health policy, reproductive health, woman

C 78 E/310

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

In more general development terms, the debate illustrates the importance of land use planning, particularly
for pastoral areas and also for Botswana. Persistent persuasion, resources and action are required to define
and build a viable interface between cattle and wildlife, and strike the right balance between divergent
interests respectively favouring wildlife and livestock.

The Commission will continue to closely monitor the situation.
It has recently met with the non-
governmental organisation ‘Environmental Investigation Agency’ to listen to their point of view and to
obtain further information.

(2004/C 78 E/0312)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3664/03

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(9 December 2003)

Subject: Women’s reproductive health

UNFPA reported a large number of deaths of women in Liberia as a result of treatable reproductive tract
infections and from pregnancy-related complications. There is also a high incidence of HIV/AIDS among
Liberian women, contracted as a result of widespread rape during the civil war and a lack of safe blood
supplies for transfusions.

In light of this, would the Commission outline what measures it is taking to support women’s reproductive
health programmes in Liberia?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(8 January 2003)

Through its local representative and various field missions, the Commission is fully aware of the situation
of women in Liberia. The Commission had its concern by this situation and also in the tremendous impact
the civil war has on women’s health either directly through all sorts of abuse and rape or indirectly
through displacement, widespread poverty and absence of a health system to cover basic health needs.

All interventions supporting the restoration of a peaceful environment and the application of the rule of
law therefore have an impact on women’s health. The programme, currently under implementation, to
support the peacekeeping forces from Ecowas (EUR 8 million) is designed to build the suitable peaceful
environment, together with other bilateral and multilateral donors. However some of the interventions are
specifically designed to provide support to the rehabilitation of the health services and to provide direct
health support.

The ‘Reintegration programme for returnees and displaced people in Liberia’
(EUR 25 million) under
implementation since 2001, has a strong health component. The purpose is the improved delivery of basic
health services through the County Health Teams assisted by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and
improved access to good quality and cheaper drugs through improvements in the functioning of the non-
government National Drug Service.

The ‘Post Conflict Rehabilitation and Capacity Building Programme’ (EUR 40 million) has been recently
decided.
Its purpose is to facilitate and support the initiatives of peace and national reconciliation
contained in the Accra Peace Agreement, in order to ease socio-political tensions and ensure reconciliation
(demobilization and economic and social reinsertion of the fighters) at the national and community levels
(re-establishment and functioning of key public Ministries and key other Institution). Notably its purpose is
also to encourage and accelerate the process of social and economic rehabilitation of
the affected
populations (particularly at the community level) and to contribute to the physical rehabilitation of basic
infrastructure and services (public and other),
including the availability of health services, medicines,
education and water.