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Background & Issues
Working in the community has been central to JOICFP’s
international cooperation efforts. In the 20th century,
Japan succeeded in bringing down soaring maternal and
infant mortality rates as well as the high birth rate,
through the widespread promotion of family planning and
maternal and child health. This was achieved in large
as a result of an extensive community-based movement that
was carried forth by midwives, nurses, public heath nurses
and community volunteers. This movement was fueled by
strong desires of people to improve their lives and along
with trust formed between community people and health
promoters. An effective networking among community groups
also acted as a support net for women and families. Most
importantly, a practical and workable GO and NGO partnership
enabled the promotion of sensitive issues in an acceptable
manner. These collaborative endeavors are the essence
of the community participatory approach which is undertaken
by JOICFP in bringing forth change at the grassroots today.
JOICFP Strategy & Goal
CoRH (Community-operated RH) incorporates a unique mechanism
for working in the community, the Community People’s
Initiative (CPI) Engine. It is a mechanism to
create a movement within the community toward better reproductive
health. This engine has 4 parts: Engine Body, Fuel, Ignition
and Energy. The “engine body” is built up
by 5 elements. They are the formal and informal influential
leaders, health staff who provide services, community
groups and organizations who form a network in the community,
the frontline health promoters who act as the educators
and motivators, and finally the friends and neighbors
who serve as an important personal influence. Individual
desires serve as “fuel”, which is then “ignited”
to bring forth an “energy” that generates
power for change. By installing this engine, a concrete
structure for change will be built, also working towards
sustainability.
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