Despite efforts over the last 20 years, maternal mortality rates have (not improved as expected) little changed in developing countries, being as high as one woman in six in some countries.

JICA and JOICFP are now considering applications from participants for a new workshop to be conducted by JOICFP, "Workshop on Safer Motherhood Strategy for Asia," to be held in February 2008 in Tokyo.

The workshop will focus on-

• Community-operated strategies to empower women
• Management and monitoring skills to improve community programs
• Strengthening partnerships in the community, and
• Formulation of an action plan to realize an environment to support safe motherhood.

Considering that MDG5 is to reduce maternal mortality by three-quarters by 2015, and the inclusion of health by the Japanese government on the agenda of the 2008 G8 Summit (LINK to JOICFP article this month) in Japan, the workshop is timely and relevant.

GO and NGO program managers who are both working in relation to safe motherhood at the provincial level and have over three years experience planning, implementing, managing and evaluating projects should apply.

Consideration will be given to applicants from the following countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan, and for NGOs, IPPF associate members are preferred.

Applications are being accepted at Japanese Embassies and JICA offices in the relevant countries.