ASSESSMENT OF THE POPULATION ACTIVITIES UNDERWAY IN ECUADOR FUNDED BY AID/ECUADOR

THE GOVERNMENT'S OWN REPORTS CLAIM LESS THAN 2 PER CENT OF ELIGIBLE WOMEN AS HAVING ACCEPTED CONTRACEPTION. A COMBINATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE WEAKNESS AND APATHY, IF NOT OPPOSITION, IN KEY POSITIONS IN THE OFFICIAL PROGRAM MILITATED AGAINST GREATER ACHIEVEMENTS, AT LEAST UNTIL THE CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP AS RECENTLY AS MAY 1972. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE: (1) AID SHOULD GIVE EMPHASIS TO STRENGTHENING INFRASTRUCTURE, WHILE CONTINUING TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES WHENEVER THEY APPEAR OR SEEM POSSIBLE; (2) EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO INSTITUTE COORDINATION OF PUBLIC SECTOR EFFORTS IN FAMILY PLANNING SERVICE DELIVERY AND INFORMATION/EDUCATION ACTIVITIES; (3) IN THE NEAR FUTURE, ALL FINANCING OF PRIVATE SECTOR PROGRAMS IN ECUADOR SHOULD BE TURNED OVER TO OTHER (NON-AID/ECUADOR) FUNDING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AGENCIES WORKING IN THE FAMILY PLANNING FIELD; (4) EMPHASIS SHOULD BE PLACED ON A PHASED CONCENTRATED APPROACH OF SERVICES; AND (5) EXPERIMENTAL PILOT PROJECTS SHOULD BE CREATED.