As Nigeria commemorates International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, it is essential to emphasize the role of family planning (FP) in promoting women’s rights and empowerment.
Access to FP services allows women to pursue education, engage in the workforce, and make meaningful contributions to society.
Furthermore, proper childbirth spacing plays a crucial role in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates, fostering healthier families and stronger communities. The 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) theme, ‘Accelerate Action,’ emphasizes the urgent need to advance gender equality by identifying and implementing strategies that drive women’s progress in education, employment, and leadership.
At DevComs, we fully support this theme by advocating for greater access to family planning (FP). “Accelerating women’s access to FP goes beyond a health intervention—it serves as a catalyst for gender equality, economic empowerment, and sustainable development,” says Suliyat Eletu, Communication/Knowledge Management Officer.
Dr. Taiwo Johnson, Country Lead at The Challenge Initiative (TCI) Nigeria, emphasizes that “When women have the power to make informed decisions about their reproductive health, family planning and childbirth spacing lead to better health outcomes, greater economic opportunities, and an improved quality of life for families and communities.”
Since 2017, The Challenge Initiative (TCI) has been supporting the Nigerian government by providing technical assistance to 22 states, fostering a sustainable local response to the needs of women and families.
Managed by The Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP), TCI’s Nigeria hub accelerates the implementation of proven high-impact family planning strategies. It offers guidance to self-selected states, local government areas (LGAs), and partners committed to investing in family planning. New states, cities, and partners seek technical and financial coaching to effectively implement successful family planning programs that align with their investments.
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Family Planning (FP) and Childbirth Spacing play a vital role in advancing multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to women’s health, economic growth, and gender equality:
•SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): FP helps prevent unintended pregnancies, reduces maternal and child mortality, and improves overall health outcomes for women and infants.
•SDG 4 (Quality Education): Access to FP enables women and girls to complete their education and pursue greater economic opportunities.
•SDG 5 (Gender Equality): By giving women control over their reproductive choices, FP promotes gender equality and strengthens their role in decision-making within families and communities.
•SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Women who can plan their families are more likely to join the workforce, boosting economic development.
•SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Expanding FP services ensures that vulnerable populations, including those in rural and conflict-affected areas, have access to essential reproductive healthcare.
•SDG 13 (Climate Action): FP contributes to sustainable resource management by helping regulate population growth, reducing environmental strain.
Despite significant efforts, challenges continue to hinder FP accessibility in Nigeria, including:
• Cultural and religious resistance to modern contraceptives.
• Stockouts of FP commodities due to supply chain disruptions.
• Inadequate funding and policy gaps limiting service expansion.
• Misconceptions and myths discouraging contraceptive use.
• Limited male involvement in FP decision-making.
• Poor healthcare access, especially in rural and conflict-affected areas.
• Weak logistics management systems affecting FP commodity availability.
To sustain the gains of FP for the future the country must ensure continued progress, by:
• Institutionalizing FP training in medical and nursing schools.
• Strengthening FP commodity security through improved supply chains.
• Integrating FP into Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programs.
• Fostering community ownership through collaboration with CSOs and traditional leaders.
• Expanding government commitment to FP budgeting and funding.
As we mark International Women’s Day, it’s evident that family planning is more than just a reproductive health issue—it’s a tool for empowering women to take charge of their futures. The Challenge Initiative (TCI) is making tangible progress across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones through advocacy, education, and community-driven interventions. While challenges remain, sustained commitment will ensure a future where every woman has access to FP services when and where she needs them.
