View the latest family planning advocacy news from our partners.
On December 14, 2015, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Ministry of Health shared positive results from a community-based distribution pilot study of the injectable contraceptive Sayana® Press in Kinshasa province. The enthusiasm generated by the results and dissemination event have spurred further action to expand methods and distribution areas.
On July 20, 2016, six Kenyan political leaders shared their commitment at the Advance Family Planning (AFP) Partners Meeting in Nairobi. The champions have helped to increase allocations and improve policy for family planning in the counties of Kitui, Kwale, Makueni, and Tharaka Nithi.
Originally published via PATH: Sayana Press Update - July 2016
“The body of research on contraceptive injectables and Sayana Press is growing—and the evidence is clear that this method is safe and effective.”
— Beth Fredrick, Advance Family Planning Executive Director
This month, 13 Indonesian district heads and mayors from districts and municipalities signed a joint commitment to revitalize, sustain, and support their local family planning program. The joint commitment illustrates the lasting support of local leaders that have implemented the Advance Family Planning (AFP) advocacy initiative and the Improving Contraceptive Method Mix (ICMM) project funded by USAID and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
On May 31, 2016, the Secretary of Health in the municipality of Rionegro, Colombia formally adopted technical recommendations to implement youth-friendly services in the Development and Health Plan (2016-2020). The inclusion of adolescents in Rionegro’s plan is crucial—programs will not be implemented if they are not laid out in the municipal development plan.
The technical recommendations are a result of collaboration between a multi-sectoral technical commision, the Secretary of Health, and local Ampliando El Acceso advocacy partner PROFAMILIA COLOMBIA.
In April 2016, the Executive arm of Makueni County Government allocated US $200,000 to its 2016/17 budget. This is the first time the county is allocating a specific budget for family planning. Advocacy efforts led by the County First Lady and Advance Family Planning local partner Jhpiego Kenya resulted in this great milestone. Prior to the allocation, family planning programs in Makueni County were supported mainly by non-governmental organizations.
Kwara state in Nigeria increased its family planning budget by 90%, from US$ 10,500 (2.1 million Naira) in 2015 to US$ 20,000 (4 million Naira) in 2016. The Kwara State House of Assembly approved the budget on April 7, 2016.
The Advance Family Planning (AFP) initiative is increasing its advocacy efforts in India this year, expanding into a new state and pursuing national-level advocacy through the private sector. The India offices of Jhpiego and Pathfinder International will join as AFP’s local partners to support this expansion, which results from a recent supplement award.
May 25, 2016
This month the Tanzanian government launched an online National Family Planning Dashboard that provides data on service delivery and human resources. The district health commodity data will be pulled directly from DHIS-2 once a month, giving decision-makers evidence for improving reproductive health services.
By Angeline Mutunga and Catherine Njeri Ndungu; originally posted by United Nations Foundation as part of the blog series "Her Goals: Our Future," which highlights the connections between girls and women and Sustainable Development Goals.
Advance Family Planning is proud to have three partners nominated for the 120 Under 40 project, which recognizes the new generation of family planning leaders:
Each winner will receive $1,000, to be put toward their work in family planning. A select number of top 40 winners will be invited to a World Contraception Day event in the U.S.
This process will repeat twice more, in 2017 and 2019, so that a roster of 120 outstanding young leaders will be assembled by 2020—a significant year for the family planning community.
AFP is organizing an interactive panel entitled, "Advocacy: What Works for Government & Officials," at the 2016 Women Deliver conference on Tuesday, May 17 at 10:30 am in Room B4-3.
Discover perspectives and lessons on advocacy from those in the inner circle: government officials. Hear how effective leaders from Malawi, the Philippines, Uganda, and Australia act for women’s health and rights. Learn from them on moving the issue forward within challenging political environments, cultural contexts, and complex government systems.