POPULATION BULLETIN OF ESCWA

Jordan (Amman) 27

1993 - NUMBER 41

1994 - NUMBER 42

96.27.1 - English - Walid HILAL, Population Section, Social Development Division, Amman (Jordan) Legislation to ensure the rights of disabled persons in Western Asia (p. 5-51)

This study discusses the role played by legislation in guaranteeing the rights of disabled persons, and also touches upon the general background of disability legislation. Because disability is a problem related to human welfare, any legislation relating to it must be based on a philosophical foundation which encompasses concepts common to all societies, and which is characterized by constancy and referential validity throughout the various stages. After describing and evaluating the status of legislation in Western Asia and the nature of the regional efforts that have been made in the field of disability, the study examines legislation at the country level, since this aspect is viewed as the most important link in legislative work concerning disability and the rights of disabled persons. Through the evaluation of national policies in accordance with specific considerations, the study reveals that, in comparison with the goals envisaged in the World Programme of Action, little has been accomplished in the field of legislation concerning disabled persons which aims at realizing the principles of disability prevention, rehabilitation and equality for the disabled, and the equalization of opportunities to ensure their full participation in life. Finally, the study attempts to inquire into the validity of the resolutions of international organizations as a source for national legislation. It also treats the characteristics of United Nations resolutions as a source of the rules of international law in terms of the impact and scope of development of these resolutions. (WESTERN ASIA, LEGISLATION, PHYSICAL HANDICAP, INTERNATIONAL LAW)

96.27.2 - English - Nabil EL-KHORAZATY, Department of Statistics, Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University, Cairo (Egypt) Indirect mortality estimates for children under five in six Arab countries (p. 53-105)

Data from various censuses and surveys covering the last two decades for six Arab countries (Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, the Syrian Arab Republic, and the United Arab Emirates) are analysed using the Brass-Trussell methodology and the Coale-Demeny West model life tables. Overlapping levels and trends with respect to various infant and childhood mortality measurements since the mid-1950s are determined. The measurements show that these countries are not homogeneous with respect to mortality, as they reflect disparities in both health programmes, standards of living and quality of life. More specifically, the results connote that: (1) the six countries experienced declining trends during the period of study; however, in recent years, these trends have declined at an accelerated rate in Bahrain, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, and have slackened in Jordan, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Kuwait; (2) various childhood mortality measurements have declined more rapidly than have those observed for infant mortality; (3) Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates have already achieved the target of reducing under-five deaths to 70 per 1,000 live births set by the United Nations for the year 2000, while Jordan and the Syrian Arab Republic are likely to achieve it by that time; increased efforts are needed, however, if Egypt is to achieve this target; (4) infant and childhood mortality registration figures are low in Bahrain, Jordan, the Syrian Arab Republic, and the United Arab Emirates, moderately high in Egypt, and almost complete in Kuwait; and (5) there is a need for sound civil registration systems capable of providing accurate and reliable sets of data. (WESTERN ASIA, INFANT MORTALITY, YOUTH MORTALITY, ESTIMATES, COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS, MORTALITY DECLINE)

96.27.3 - English - ESCWA Secretariat, Social Development Division, Amman (Jordan) International and return migration: The experience of Yemen (p. 107-151)

The sudden unexpected flow of around one million returning migrants from the Gulf States to the newly established Republic of Yemen caused great social and economic disruptions in 1990. This article aims at assessing the prospects and possibilities related to their absorption into the socioeconomic fabric of Yemen, given the poor facilities and infrastructure that exist in the Republic and the past extended migration that allowed the majority of migrants to acquire different social and economic demeanors. The article consists of two parts. The first offers a brief history of Yemeni migration, then reviews the demographic characteristics of returnees and the impact of migration on the socioeconomic situation in Yemen before the Gulf crisis. It also discusses the impact of remittances during the past two decades. The second part dwells on the impact of the returnees on the social and economic profile of Yemen during the last two years, through a discussion on the problems faced in reintegrating the returnees into the socioeconomic fabric of Yemen and the prospects for their positive contribution to the developing economy. Finally, this part offers a selected set of recommendations focusing on the aim of creating job opportunities that make use of the expertise earned during migration and that contribute to the development process of the new Republic. (YEMEN, RETURN MIGRATION, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT)

96.27.4 - English - Kozue Kay ABE-NAGATA, Human Development Section, Social Development Division, Amman (Jordan)

Demographic overview of the ageing situation in ESCWA region and its developmental implications (p. 153-175)

The study is based on a statistical compilation carried out by the author using the United Nations World Population Prospects 1990 and its 1992 revision, in addition to the United Nations ESCWA demographic estimation on the ageing situation in the ESCWA region. It provides demographic projections through the year 2025, and covers future economic implications of the ageing situation, as well as existing policies regarding ageing in selected countries. Analysis of the data shows that the total elderly population of the ESCWA region is expected to increase in both absolute and relative terms; within the next 30 years, all ESCWA member countries except Yemen will witness growth in their elderly populations in both respects. In some countries, the 60-plus population will increase significantly (e.g., by a factor of 8.48 in Kuwait) between 1995 and 2025. This shift will have a significant economic impact, as the elderly dependency ratio of a given country will increase, and its savings ratio will be lower. These drastic demographic changes will require social adjustments for both individuals and countries of the ESCWA region, including more flexible retirement policies, an effective social security system, appropriate housing policies (barrier-free design), retraining, and comprehensive health services. Family care is emphasized, and the role of the Arab family is recognized. However, in order to enable the elderly to contribute to development and to ensure appropriate and affordable care for them in the future, a new system of shared care within the private and public sectors is recommended as an alternative to the traditional family-care system. (WESTERN ASIA, AGED, DEMOGRAPHIC AGEING, SOCIAL SECURITY, POPULATION PROJECTIONS)

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