Sessional Paper No. 01 of 1997 on National Population Policy for Sustainable Development

Abstract

This National Population Policy for Sustainable Development succeeds the Sessional Paper No. 4 of 1984 on Population Policy Guidelines. It builds on the strength of the guidelines and widens the scope of the population policy by integrating the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development, 1994. Addressed in this document are issues on environment, gender, poverty and problems facing segments of the population including the youth, the elderly and persons with disabilities. The problem of HIV/AIDS is also addressed. This policy outlines the population and development goals, objectives and targets to guide its implementation up to the year 2010. The goals and objectives include: improvement of the standards of living and quality of life of the people; full integration of population concerns into the development process; motivating and encouraging Kenyans to adhere to a small family norm; promotion of the stability of the family; empowerment of women, elimination of retrogressive socio-cultural practices such as female genital mutilation, and integration of the youth, the elderly and persons with disabilities into the mainstream of national development. To guide implementation of this policy, some specific targets have been set. The targets have been categorized into three broad areas namely: demographic, health and social services.