African Population and Health Research Center’s Post

Why should anyone care about family planning and childbirth spacing in Nigeria? Join the Country Director of MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices, Emmanuel Ajah, on Arise TV live interview as he shares more insight about Family Planning and reproductive health, especially of women and girls in Nigeria. Those who have been in this field for some time understand that maternal and reproductive health outcomes intertwine with socio-economic factors in Nigeria. Therefore, addressing family planning is a direct and gainful investment in our nation's prosperity. We will be discussing some of the attitudinal challenges around family planning and contraceptives with a view to suggesting practical solutions. Please tune in Today at 9pm (WAT). #FamilyPlanning #SRH #Media #interview #MSINigeria

Family planning is essential for various reasons, including: 1. Spacing births: Allowing for optimal time between pregnancies for physical and emotional recovery. 2. Preventing unwanted pregnancies: Reducing the risk of unintended pregnancies and abortions. 3. Improving maternal and child health: Enhancing health outcomes for mothers and children by planning optimal birth spacing. 4. Empowering women: Enabling women to make informed choices about their reproductive health and career goals. 5. Reducing poverty: Helping families manage resources and invest in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. 6. Promoting education and career opportunities: Allowing individuals to pursue education and career goals without unplanned pregnancy interruptions. 7. Enhancing family well-being: Supporting families in achieving their desired size and structure, leading to increased stability and happiness. 8. Reducing infant and maternal mortality: By avoiding high-risk pregnancies and ensuring proper prenatal care. #ImportanceofFamilyPlanning #FP #eva #unfpa #norway United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Education As A Vaccine Royal Norwegian Embassy in Abuja

The staggering numbers of Minor Pregnancies in Zimbabwe in a peripd of just 6 months is a cause for concern. The statistics expose alarming sexual offences in society. The government, development partners and the society at large cannot turn a blind eye to this phenomenon and hope it will cure itself. As with many challenges facing our country, it demands an urgent, holistic and collaborative approach. This also calls for an in-depth study to identify circumstances, factors and omissions that are giving a rise to minor girls falling pregnant. Such a study must be co-funded by the relevant departments as valuable input to policy and legislative changes to foster child protection and safeguarding. The study can also help to address the root causes and consequences of teenage pregnancy and ensure that the girl child has access to quality SRHR information and services among other sustainable coordinated interventions.

This day about 10 years ago, I was privileged to have been working with a brilliant, inspiring and dedicated national alliance of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) some of whom are listed on the backdrop behind me. About 27 in total, the CSOs including media advocated for meaningful youth participation in sustainable development specifically prioritising health, gender, civic participation and Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE). Michelle Malunga Mubanga Chimumbwa We had a number of in country, regional and global facing advocacy interventions to influence health and other policies as they intertwine with the development agenda at the time the SDGs. On this day, I was presenting on the process I led to develop the know your reproductive health toolkit. This was at the launch of the toolkit. It was an empowering toolkit that summarised all the health policies for young people in Zambia including the Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1972. Access to information about what the policies provide formed and I believe still forms the real deal in actualising accountability mechanisms that benefit young people, AGYW and presents potential to achieve positive adolescent health and young people's outcomes. IEC materials that summarise the provisions health policies have for young people, AGYW are critical. Clandestine activities thrive due to ignorance of the provisions in policies - this results in increased vulnerability for young people, AGYW. Credit to Restless Development for the photos and toolkit attached. Thanks to Ministry of Health Zambia. #endchildearlyforcedmarriages #endteenpregnancy #BeTheChange

The Effective Parenting consultative workshop organized by UNICEF and Addis Ababa University brought together key stakeholders to discuss strategies for promoting positive #earlychildhooddevelopment (ECD) in Ethiopia. A major takeaway was the need for shared responsibility and accountability across sectors in leading #ECD efforts. Parents play a vital role as role models, but support is needed from government ministries, academia, NGOs, and communities. Particular attention must be paid to vulnerable groups like IDPs and refugees, providing tailored support during crises. Technology presents both opportunities through online education resources and risks of exposing children to harmful content. A comprehensive legal/policy framework is required to create a safe digital environment. Empowering women through economic, social and political avenues while increasing their decision-making power is crucial, as is designing initiatives that engage fathers/husbands in childcare. Cultural practices like extended breastfeeding and complementary feeding should be maintained while messaging is customized for relevance across contexts. Effective parenting necessitates a #multifaceted, #collaborativeapproach considering diverse socioeconomic and cultural factors. By uniting efforts across sectors, we can provide an optimal nurturing environment for Ethiopia's children to thrive.

Why should anyone care about family planning and childbirth spacing in Nigeria? Join me on the Arise TV live interview as I share more insight about Family Planning and reproductive health, especially of women and girls in Nigeria. Some of us who have been in this field for some time understand that maternal and reproductive health outcomes intertwine with socio-economic factors in Nigeria. Therefore, addressing family planning is a direct and gainful investment in our nation's prosperity. We will be discussing some of the attitudinal challenges around family planning and contraceptives with a view to suggesting practical solutions. Please tune in. #familyplanning #srhr #media #interview

As traditional heads of household in Nigeria, men play a vital role in influencing their families’ health-seeking practices, including the uptake of family planning services. Recognizing the role of men in health seeking, including in the area of maternal and child health, the Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the USAID Integrated Health Program - Nigeria, WI-HER, and key stakeholders, such as the Federal Ministry of Health and States Ministries of Health, embarked on a transformative journey to both challenge deeply ingrained socio-cultural norms related to family planning and promote male health-seeking behavior. https://bit.ly/42flDBf #HealthSeekingBehaviors #FamilyPlanning #MaternalHealth #ChildHealth #HealthOutcomes #MaleEngagement

46 percent of the women in 2021 reported unintented pregnancies. (Source: MakSPH) The cost of inaction when it comes to the increase of unintended pregnancies is on a steady rise and the high fertility rates come with financial constraints. If we’re to have a quality population and good standards of living, there’s need to carry out more sensitization and interventions to curb the burden. Uganda Baati Ltd. Medical clinic in Kampala is now offering FREE family planning services to everyone. You just walk in and request for these services from our well trained nurses. In partnership with Joint Medical Store and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) #populationgrowth

Project Agbébí (meaning 'Maternal Care' in Yoruba) stands out as a defining chapter in my career—a stride of compassion and my commitment to transforming maternal healthcare in Nigeria. Today is a reminisce of my engagement in this project for over 3 years with the HACEY Health Initiative Chioma Osakwe Mary Oyetunji amongst others. Our mission was clear: to empower expectant mothers with the resources and knowledge needed for safe deliveries. Through tireless community outreach, educational seminars, and the distribution of essential birthing kits, we aimed to make a tangible impact on the lives of over 50,000 women. The impact was profound and deeply personal. I vividly recall the gratitude and relief on mothers' faces as they received these kits—more than just supplies, they represented dignity and assurance during childbirth. Witnessing these moments affirmed my team's collective dedication to ensuring every woman experience childbirth safely and with dignity. Yet, our project was not without challenges. We experienced logistical hurdles, cultural sensitivities, and the ongoing need for resources with resilience and creativity. Regardless, these obstacles strengthened our resolve to innovate and find sustainable solutions that would endure beyond the project's duration. Reflecting on Project Agbébí, I am filled with pride for our team's commitment and the tangible impact we achieved together. Beyond statistics, it's the stories of resilience and hope that continue to inspire me. As we move on with the project, I am committed to continuing this vital work of empowering communities and advocating for maternal health rights. #ProjectAgbébí #MaternalHealth #CommunityEmpowerment #HopeInAction #ImpactfulChange

It's concerning to hear about the challenges faced by schoolgirls in Bungoma, Kenya. While addressing teenage pregnancy is crucial, permanently barring pregnant girls from school might exacerbate the issue. Policy support is essential to ensure that girls can continue their education despite unexpected circumstances. In Kenya, efforts have been made to allow pregnant girls to return to school, acknowledging the importance of education for their future. The decision to restrict access based on pregnancy may hinder progress. An example of positive policy change is the Kenyan government's commitment to reintegration programs for pregnant girls. 📚💙 This ensures they can pursue their education while addressing the root causes such as poverty and lack of resources. I feel approaching this issue with empathy and comprehensive solutions is key.Stigmatizing pregnant girls may perpetuate cycles of poverty and limit their potential. #EducationForAll #GirlsEmpowerment