Jump to content

Talk:Population and Community Development Association

Page contents not supported in other languages.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Chelbel05 (talk | contribs) at 02:50, 2 November 2011 (→References). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.


The Population and Community Development Association (PDA) is a non-governmental-organization in Thailand. Its goal is to reduce poverty through both development initiatives and family planning programs. Originally called the Community-Based Family Planning Service, it was founded by Mechai Viravaidya in 1974.[1] Viravaidya began as the Minister of Industry in the early 1970’s, but was frustrated with the government’s limited ability to implement a national family planning policy.[1] In this position he identified a direct correlation between Thailand’s poverty and population growth.[2] His immediate concern was the high growth rate of 3.2%, which equated to approximately seven children per family.[3] This was an increasing concern for Thailand and Mechai Viravaidya because high growth rates restrict a nation’s ability to provide for its entire population and improve the conditions of living.[2] Today, Thailand’s lowered population growth rate of 0.566%[4] and reduced poverty levels can be partly attributed to the strong influence and participation of PDA and Viravaidya.[3]

The program has concentrated on reaching rural towns and villages.[3] It has operated on the belief that “local people are best suited to shape and sustain their own development.”[5] Therefore, most of its programs have worked to empower communities on a micro level, utilizing a “bottom up” approach.[2] As of 2009, PDA has 18 regional centers. [5] These centers run development programs that extend across one-third of the country.[5] The organization consists of over 800 employees and 12,000 volunteers and is one of Thailand’s most expansive and diverse NGOs.[5]

Initially, the PDA addressed child mortality. Viravaidya deduced that family planning would not be widely adopted in Thailand if children did not have a high survival rate.[2] Therefore, his solution was to target maternal and child healthcare. The goal was to reduce the population growth rate, which was at 3.3%. Accordingly, various methods of birth control were made accessible. PDA discovered that birth control pills were only affecting 20% of the population because it required access to medical personnel.[2] To target the remaining 80% of the country, PDA invested in multiple initiatives - including the popularization of free condoms, increased access to birth control, incentives for women to not become pregnant, and slogans to encourage smaller families.

Chelbel05 (talk) 02:49, 2 November 2011 (UTC)[reply]


References

  1. ^ a b Viravaidya, Mechai (1997). Reasons for Hope: The Population and Community Development Association in Thailand. Kumarian Press. pp. 203–215.
  2. ^ a b c d e Viravaidya, Mechai. "Mechai Viraviadya: How Mr. Condom Made Thailand a Better Place". Ted Conferences. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  3. ^ a b c Frydman, Gloria (1996). "The Condom King of Thailand". The Humanist: 5. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  4. ^ "The World Fact Book: Thailand". CIA. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  5. ^ a b c d Cho, Karen (16). "Blazing a Trail Towards Poverty Alleviation in Thailand". INSEAD Articles. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Talk:Population_and_Community_Development_Association&oldid=458574994"