On 4-14 January 2001, EPF brought a delegation of Members of Parliament to India to learn more about Reproductive Health Supplies situation in India.

Over the course of the EPF field visit in India, the participating parliamentarians met both state and national ministers including the Indian Minister for Health. They saw first hand the continuing struggle to provide holistic and empowering sexual health services to the people of India. The task remains a daunting one, and one that will only be achieved through partnerships – partnerships between Indian national and state government, between government and NGOs, and also partnerships that were forged during this international visit. The Delegation returned to their respective European countries with a commitment to creating greater discussion on development aid in general and sexual and reproductive health programmes in India in particular.

The Delegation adopted a joint Declaration at the conclusion of their 10-day visit. The Declaration highlights the vital work that NGOs are doing at local levels to provide basic services and information to the huge population of India. It also reaffirms the need to redress the low status and continued marginalisation of women and girls in India, and recommends that the issue of HIV/AIDS be proactively addressed by both government and non-governmental organizations and institutions throughout India.