Zhuzhi Moore, Pav Govindasamy, Julie DaVanzo, Genene Bizuneh, Albert Themme and Macro International Inc. Calverton, Maryland, USA

Data collected from the 2000 and the 2005 Demographic and Health Surveys show that Ethiopia has come a long way in five years. Contraceptive prevalence has increased 150 percent, infant mortality has declined by almost 50 percent, HIV/AIDS infection rate stabilized in general and, in some cases, reduced. There are signs of stronger commitment to reproductive health by government, both at the federal and regional levels: the millennium reproductive health goals plan to reach 8.5 million women by the end of this Ethiopian calendar year. Over 20,000 health extension workers are spread throughout the country to convey the gospel of primary health care with exemplary dedication. And progressive laws have been passed that, if implemented properly, will protect the reproductive health rights of women and young girls. Ethiopia has seen phenomenal expansion of health services in the last five years.