The Challenge Initiative TCI has called on the Lagos State Government to make family planning services a top priority and increase accessibility for residents across the state, urged men to join the conversation.
This appeal was made during a recent media roundtable discussion with key stakeholders, including religious leaders, health officials, and community mobilizers.
According to TCI, improving access to family planning services and men’s engagement in the conversation is crucial in reducing maternal and newborn mortality in Lagos State.
The organization emphasized that family planning is a critical aspect of healthcare that requires urgent attention from the government.
TCI also highlighted the importance of engaging men in family planning decisions, noting that their participation is essential in promoting healthy family planning practices.
This call to action is particularly significant, given the role that men play in influencing family planning decisions in many Nigerian households.
As TCI continues to advocate for improved family planning services in Lagos State, it is worth noting that the organization has already made significant strides in promoting family planning and adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH) in Nigeria. TCI has successfully scaled up its family planning and AYSRH initiatives across 22 states in Nigeria, with 11 states graduating from TCI’s direct support.
Dr. Mrs. Ajoke Ashiru, Chairperson of Interfaith Public Health Advocacy Lagos (IPHAL), accentuated the role of religious leaders in decreasing maternal and newborn mortality. She further stressed that religious communities have a consequential influence on societal health decisions and how their involvement in family planning initiatives can help reform cultural and religious barriers.
Dr. Ashiru mentioned how their efforts in the state have led to increased visibility and awareness. She also mentioned that they have trained a large number of mobilizers, reinforcing their capacity to drive change. “Demand generation is crucial, particularly in the five-hour area I previously discussed. Generating demand is key, and I’d like to reiterate the importance of this”, she further stated.
Dr. Ashiru expatiated that IPHAL had trained many mobilizers to reach women in local communities as she also emphasized on the importance of mobilizing communities.
We position mobilizers to do what we call “intimate mobilization.” Looking at some of the service integration, we talk to women who come for services about family planning.
“Women who intend to use a form of family planning are given a referral. Even if they don’t decide at that moment, the referral is still with them, and when they do choose, they are directed to the facility,” Dr. Ashiru explained.
A representative from The Challenge Initiative (TCI) presented updates on the program, designed to accelerate family planning efforts. The stakeholder who represented the TCI Program manager shared the current updates on the TCI program and also mentioned the news that although the project officially closed in May 2024, it had been extended to guarantee the expected results were achieved. The extension therefore allows continued support for family planning initiatives across the state.
“There is a need to involve men more actively in family planning decisions”, Dr. Ashiru noted. Conventionally, family planning has been seen as a women’s issue, but experts believe that reforming the focus to include men is crucial for making lasting change.
Stakeholders at the roundtable also echoed this sentiment, stating that men’s involvement in family planning decisions can influence women’s choices to a great extent.
Mrs. Samuel Esther, Deputy Director of Health Education, who represented Mr. Olusegun Badejo, State Health Educator at the Ministry of Health, mentioned that the state has seen positive and encouraging results from the community engagement embarked upon on family planning.
“The types of questions people ask and their level of interest show that our message is resonating”, she said.
“We encourage people to share the information they receive with other members of the community. This way, we ensure that the knowledge spreads and that the community becomes more interested.”
Dr. Ashiru responded to a participant who asked how the organization is responding to side effects of family planning, saying women are adequately educated about side effects and given varieties of options of family planning to choose from.
“We are committed to dispensing accurate information and supporting women in making the right choices for their health.”
“If a woman experiences side effects, she’s advised to visit a clinic for guidance and to explore alternative family planning options,” she explained.
The event also revealed Lagos State’s detailed approach to family planning. Over the years, the state has invested in social mobilization and training programs to fight misinformation about family planning. These programs target social mobilization committees, voluntary health committees, healthcare educators, and others.
Dr. Ashiru stated that by cooperating with the media and influencing public campaigns through social media, television, radio, and other channels, it will be ensured that accurate information reaches the people.
