Models » RAPID Analyses

RAPID: Resources for the Awareness of Population Impacts on Development
RAPID projects the social and economic consequences of high fertility and rapid population growth for such sectors as labor, education, health, urbanization, and agriculture. This program is used to raise policymakers’ awareness of the importance of fertility and population growth as factors in social and economic development.

Rwanda: RAPID Spearheads Policy Change. Following Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, family planning remained a taboo subject, as many people wished to rebuild their families. Despite losses, Rwanda is the most densely-populated country in Africa and rapid population growth threatens both individual and societal development. Beginning in the mid-2000s, Rwanda stepped up efforts to address the issue of rapid population growth. Many stakeholders attribute changes in political commitment and attitudes toward family planning, in part, to the RAPID analysis (see below). Since 2005, the model has been presented to parliament, Ministry of Health officials, and others. In February 2007, the Minister of Health presented RAPID findings to the President and members of the Cabinet, helping to spark presidential-level commitment to family planning. The government subsequently has designed a National Family Planning Strategy, included FP programs in Rwanda’s Vision for 2020, and created an FP technical working group. Use of modern contraceptives among married women has increased dramatically, from 10 percent in 2005 to 27 percent in 2008.

“[RAPID] had a powerful impact because it put a positive spin on things by talking about the advantages of having smaller families in terms of improved health and education opportunities … The RAPID Model brought home the idea that the goals of poverty reduction simply could not be met with high rates of population growth, and that lowering fertility—in part through family planning—was essential.”

Source: Solo, J. 2008. Family Planning in Rwanda: How a Taboo Topic Became Priority Number One. Chapel Hill, NC: IntraHealth.

Trainer Majige Selemani, a principal statistician from the Planning Commission of the President’s Office, assists district officials in using the RAPID Model during a training held in Morogoro region, Tanzania, in July 2008. Photo by Leah Samike.

Trainer Majige Selemani, a principal statistician from the Planning Commission of the President’s Office, assists district officials in using the RAPID Model during a training held in Morogoro region, Tanzania, in July 2008. Photo by Leah Samike.

Tanzania: Muslim and Christian Leaders Voice Support for Family Planning. In 2008, the Health Policy Initiative and National Muslim Council of Tanzania (BAKWATA) organized RAPID workshops for 34 members of the Ulamaa (Supreme Clerical Council for Muslim Leaders). Following the presentations, BAKWATA formed a technical team to identify the links among reproductive health, population and development, and Islamic teachings. Based on the team’s recommendations, the Ulamaa issued an official clerical statement (fatwa), on May 14, 2008, that supports expanded use of family planning and birth spacing among Muslim families. The Ulamaa also prepared a DVD message and guidelines for disseminating the declaration to the communities. As the fatwa was issued by the highest clerical body, it will contribute to increased awareness and use of FP services among Muslims—who represent about half of Tanzania’s population. The Health Policy Initiative also organized an advocacy workshop to present the RAPID analysis to the bishops of the Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT), an overarching organization for four denominations (Anglican, Lutheran, Mennonite, and Moravian). As a result, the bishops issued an official statement in support of expanding FP service use, issued on June 27, 2008. The statement was signed by the CCT Secretary General and Chairperson, disseminated through a press release, and covered in the media. In addition, the Health Policy Initiative partnered with CCT to conduct a one-day session on reproductive health, population, and development for 80 women leaders from all dioceses as part of the CCT Women’s Annual General Meeting in July 2008. The session provided an opportunity to disseminate the bishops’ statement on FP support and to gather recommendations regarding men’s use of and role in promoting FP services.