Strengthening Family Planning Policies and Programs in Developing Countries: An Advocacy Toolkit

From the introduction..."Family planning remains one of the most cost-effective public health measures available in developing countries. Use of family planning is associated with lower rates of maternal and infant mortality and can influence economic growth. It is an essential component in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV/AIDS and in adolescent reproductive healthcare programs, and it can play a role in improving gender equity. Expanding access to and improving the quality of family planning programs around the world is central to improving and maintaining the health of individuals and societies and helping them reach their full potential."

The purpose of this toolkit is to assist advocates in the family planning/reproductive health field in their efforts to promote policy dialogue on the health, social, and economic benefits of increasing access to family planning services. The toolkit is divided into seven chapters covering the following topics:

• Family planning and maternal and infant mortality and morbidity;
• Family planning and macro-level socioeconomic impacts;
• Family planning and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV;
• Family planning and gender equity;
• Adolescent reproductive health;
• Country-level advocacy strategies; and
• Models, frameworks, and tools.

Chapters are divided into theme-based sections, which provide a short background on the issue and a synopsis of key points. Each section also includes examples of advocacy strategies and one or two illustrations of country experiences that led to policy change.