Ethiopia: MOH - Human Development Endeavors Bearing Fruit 

The five-day conference is being held under the theme "Harnessing the Demographic Dividend: The future we want for Africa." Speaking on the occasion, state Minister of Health, Dr. Kebede Worku said owing to its youthful population, Africa registered remarkable growth and development over the past 19 years.
By giving prime attention to human development, Ethiopia has managed to expand family planning services and increase primary school enrolment, he said. It has also made remarkable achievements in terms of job creation, addressing gender inequality, and reducing maternal and child mortality.
Dr. Kebede said the efforts would be strengthened further. Kwabena Osei-Danquah, Executive Coordinator, ICPD Secretariat said despite its failure to fully meet the deadlines set in 1994 in Cairo, Africa has made remarkable progress in various sectors.
Once known for female genital cutting, Ethiopia and Egypt are now about to eliminate this harmful traditional practice, he said. Ethiopia is also likely to meet the Cairo commitments to curb early marriage and send girls to school.