2.Current situation on development agenda after 2015
Journal of International Health 2013;28(3):253-265
Review of MDGs and discussion on the development agenda after 2015 (post MDGs) have begun. The years of 2012-13 would be the critical time in review and negotiation process, since major issues are usually discussed during the preparatory stage. In-depth interviews for 14 experts were carried out in order to gather opinions on evaluating on-going MDGs as well as proposals on post MDGs in global health. A healthy, educated population is one of the most universally valued goals to achieve. Based on findings of interviews, fundamental concept of global health, equity, how to relate development to environment issues are raised as key points to be included in post MDGs by health and environment experts. It is strongly recommended to strengthen publicity on the post MDGs development agenda to policy-makers and general public in Japan. Academic circles have a role to play in this endeavor.
3.Current situation on development agenda after 2015—Update as of Sept 2013—
Journal of International Health 2013;28(4):349-357
Review of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and discussions on the development agenda after 2015 (post MDGs) have begun. It would be high time to try to integrate and/or merge environment issues into the development, since Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a new concept proposed in Rio+20, was brought into the scene of discussion on development agenda through Open Working Group (OWG) discussion.
Development and environment issues must be addressed simultaneously in an integrated manner at all levels toward “One Framework” of development. Sustainable development calls for a convergence of three pillars: economic development, social equity and environmental protection. There is a lot of common space between two issues.
Unfinished agenda and gender were the two common issues raised by interviewees. They also pointed out some unique perspectives, such as selection of indicators at country level, and political declaration which could include the cross-cutting and politically sensitive issues.
5.How can health and gender goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) be pursued in synergy?: a comparative analysis between Japan and the United Kingdom
Hitoshi MURAKAMI ; Miwa KANDA ; Hisa NAKAJIMA ; Takahiro SAWAYANAGI ; Kenta SOGA ; Norikazu HAMADA ; Kiyoko IKEGAMI
Journal of International Health 2020;35(1):49-64
Introduction The objective of this study was to identify measures Japan should take to achieve health (goal 3) and gender (goal 5) goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in synergy by comparing the status of health and gender in Japan and the United Kingdom based on gender analysis.Methods In-depth interviews were conducted with 8 gender experts and 2 obstetrician/gynecologists in Japan and 9 informants in government, civil society and academia in the UK. The status of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and measures against gender-based violence were elaborated. Qualitative content analysis was conducted on the transcripts of the interview audio-records.Results We have compared contraception and abortion, control of sexually transmitted infections, sexuality education, measures against breast and cervical cancers and measures against gender-based violence in Japan and the UK. Significant differences were noted in contraception and abortion, sexuality education and measures against gender-based violence. There were four areas where the UK applied gender-transformative measures (measures that address not only the condition of women but also the gender relations between men and women and social status of women) whereas Japan has not yet applied such measures: 1) Ensuring selection of a wide range of contraceptive methods with low price, 2) Enabling abortion solely based on the decision by women, 3)Comprehensive sexuality education that includes gender and human relationship, and 4) Setting an integrated strategy against gender-based violence. Conclusion Japan can strive for both health and gender goals of the SDGs by addressing above four aspects. Promotion of civil society participation in policy decision and increased proportion of female parliamentarians will help address these aspects.