National Population Plan 2007 -2017

The National Council for Population has developed a strategic plan for population from 2007 to 2017 to reinforce the national efforts in facing population increase. The plan aims to achieve the total fertility rate to 2.4 child per woman in 2012 and 2.1 child per woman by 2017, which will contribute to rationalize the levels of population growth and redouble the community's ability to deal with the expected population rates of increase.

This is through adopting four main axes; each of them includes a number of operational strategies which are as follows:

The first axis

Support the link between population trends and overall development:

Throughout this axis, the plan aims to focus attention on all aspects of human development, especially health, through the ongoing programmes of maternal and child care which will increase the chances of life expectancy in addition to education through the expansion of absorption in preliminary education especially for girls and supporting literacy programs. On the economic level, the program aims to support the social and economical development of women.

The second axis

Activation of the monitoring, evaluation and calendar system:

This axis includes upgrading the systems and mechanisms of coordination as well as database for population activities for all partners in this area, evaluating and analysing the data and indicators on the situation of population to determine the progress achieved, as well as the application of the rules of transparency and access to information and indicators of demographic situation and formulate systems and mechanisms for redress.

The third axis

The continuation and increase in media coverage of preventive health services:

Through the organization of a national media campaign, aiming at increasing the awareness of the problem and its risks through programmes, seminars, dramas and advertisements in all media. This campaign starts in the beginning of 2008, either by facing contradicting ideas through activating and supporting the role of the leading rural girls, which is one of the village's girls that take the initiative to educate and guide parents.

The Fourth axis

Activating the role of leaders, decision-makers as well as the private sector and religious scholars:

This axis is aiming at changing the citizens' attitudes and behaviour, by adopting the concept of small family, it also aims at activating the role of preaching , media ,education and communication to adopt the concept of small family and upgrading women's health, as well as the role of the clergy , renewing the religious discourse and targeting young people of both sexes in order to influence their reproductive behaviour.