Data, statistics challenged in new report on MDGs goals in Sri Lanka
View(s):By Quintus Perera
The accuracy of the data and statistics of a Sri Lanka report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) was challenged by civil society groups at a discussion in Colombo this week. The discussion was part of the ‘Breaking Point Project, National Consultation on Civil Society’s Role in Realizing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Sri Lanka’ organized by local NGO, Alliance Lanka.
Queries were raised particularly in the context of the data generated from government statistics. This discussion based on a project to realize the goals of MDGs in Sri Lanka by 2015 was sponsored by the Commonwealth Foundation. These consultations with civil society groups are being held simultaneously in 14 countries with additional support provided by the UN Millennium Campaign. At the opening sessions of the consultations, Ms Swarna Kodagoda, Executive Director, Alliance Lanka indicated that there are eight goals under the headings of Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger; Achieve Universal Primary Education; Promote Gender Equality and empower Women; Reduce Child Mortality; Improve Maternal Health; Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases and Develop a Global Partnership for Development. Ms Kodagoda said that most of these goals have been achieved. But in certain areas information was not coming up. Women representation in the national parliament was very low and it is same in the local government and provincial councils, she noted.
She said that there were disparities in district/provincial Levels. She said that data related to sex related activities such as condom use and HIV/AIDS were not readily forthcoming, even though the fact remains that the rate of HIV/AIDS is very low in this country compared to other countries.
There were difficulties in obtaining data with regard to environmental sustainability and forest coverage and the forest cover has dwindled to a great extent in the country.
Ms Kodagoda said that the government could improve the extent of involvement of partners from the private sector for the satisfactory implementation of Coalitions. She said Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have created a formidable voice in raising partnership in their advocacy effort. The government needs to ensure legislation relating to administration and finance adequately to enhance transparency in development. A.C. Faizer Khan, Country Director, Muslim Aid, said that data available specially for the North and East is inaccurate. He said that though it was stated that there are no IDPs in these areas, that is not true. When the people were ousted from these IDP camps, they moved to either rented houses or to the places of their relatives – which is still temporary accommodation. When there was indication that the recent reports were prepared based on the government data available for 2006, some of the participants indicated that such data was outdated and an accurate report could not be made.
Ms Kodagoda said that when they prepared the report, the data up to 2012 was not available because they compiled the report in August 2012. She said that one of the purposes of the present consultation is to obtain most recent and accurate data, so that the credible accurate data would be incorporated into the final report.
Another participant indicated that if the report was prepared with the data upto 2006, the goals could then only be achieved by 2024. He said it is high time that they obtain accurate data, which would help prepare a proper report and forecasts that could be achieved.
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