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Show Promoting Family Planning in Developing Countries through Culturally Sensitive and Successful Means Bridget Dorsey, Samira Saeed, Omar Shihab, Avery Mallett Key Idea: A Possible Solution: secondary education for girls, removes barriers around the world to family planning in a culturally sensitive and successful way. Background: In developing countries, family planning is often not as prevalent as in developed countries. This is due to barriers to knowledge about contraception, a lack of open discussion about family planning, and social pressures. Importance of promoting family planning: • People's rights to determine the number of children they have and the spacing between them is reinforced by family planning • The need for potentially unsafe abortions can be prevented and reduced by family planning/contraception • Methods, such as using condoms, reduce the transmission of HIV and other STIs • Deaths of mothers and children due to unintended pregnancy can be reduced "An estimated 225 million women in developing countries would like to delay or stop childbearing but are not using any method of contraception" (World Health Organization). Family Planning Resources Resources Centers PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN USING CONTRACEPTIVES Access to family planning resources and secondary education for Consistent access to family girls are two important concepts which need to be addressed with planning resources, paired with the goal of increased family planning in mind. Secondary Education for Girls 60 Increase in Women's Contraceptive Use In Bangladesh With the Implementation of a System of Family Planning Field Workers 50 40 30 20 10 0 Gaining Parental and Community Support No education Primary Education Before Implementation Family Planning Field Workers Relevant Curricula 8 Secondary Education After Implementation Total Fertility Rates, by Country, According to Women's Education 7 Open Forums Affordable Schools Close to Home with Flexible Times 6 5 Female Teachers 4 Women attending a health fair and open forum regarding family planning in Guatemala. Photos provided by Samira 3 Saeed These strategies are culturally sensitive and can be adapted to fit the particular needs of women in a given region and have shown promising results in developing countries. 2 1 0 Botswana Discussion: Studies and surveys in developing countries have investigated the socioeconomic and education-related factors that influence women's autonomy and family planning. It has been found that "nearly all women with some sort of secondary education knew of at least one contraceptive method" (Edwards 1992). For example, in Bangladesh, a program using family planning field workers was implemented and the percentage of women using contraceptives increased in relation to their level of education. This information clearly shows the interconnectedness of family planning resources and education for women. DHS data also suggests a strong correlation between the extent of women's education and fertility rates in developing countries. Mali Senegal Zimbabwe Bolivia 0 Years of schooling Brazil 1-3 Years of schooling Colombia Dominican Republic 4-6 Years of schooling Ecuador 7-9 Years of schooling El Salvaodor Guatemala Mexico Peru 10+ Years of schooling Conclusion: In order to continue the progress that has already been made, the education and family planning strategies that have been studied must continue to be improved and implemented on a broader, more global, and more sustainable scale. By raising awareness and implementing programs to give women access to secondary education and family planning resources, women are given more autonomy in their lives and are better able to help break down the social barriers that inhibit family planning. Acknowledgements: Dr. Stephen Alder, Eric Kwesi Yaw Ansah-Antwi, Global Health Scholars Sources: "The Effect of Integrating Family Planning with a Maternal and Newborn Health Program on Postpartum Contraceptive use and Optimal Birth Spacing in Rural Bangladesh.", "Women's Education and Fertility Rates in Developing Countries, With Special Reference to Bangladesh.", "Birth Control Knowledge High, But Practice Varies in Developing Countries.", "Family Planning/Contraception.", "Women's Education, Autonomy, and Reproductive Behaviour: Experience from Developing Countries.", "Women's Education and Fertility: Results from 26 Demographic and Health Surveys", "Women with an Unmet Need for Contraception in Developing Countries and Their Reasons for Not Using a Method." , see complete list on the back |
