WomenLead as Family Planning Policy Champions

In September 2009, the USAID Health Policy Initiative brought together 26 family planning providers, researchers, and government officials in Washington, D.C., for a three-week program to reinvigorate their leadership and advocacy around family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH). Representing eight countries with some of the world's highest rates of maternal death and unmet need for family planning services - Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tanzania, and Uganda - these women leaders work in environments that challenge their ability to provide basic family planning and reproductive health services and advocate for change.

The WomenLead in Repositioning Family Planning and Reproductive Health workshop, implemented by HPI partner the Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA), was designed to turn committed women leaders into skilled policy champions. The three-week program included presentations from technical experts, sessions devoted to strengthening participants' personal leadership and advocacy, and opportunities to apply skills through dialogues with U.S. policy audiences. Now back in their home countries, these women are forging ahead in the FP/RH policy arena, meeting with health ministries and parliamentarians, drafting new legislation, garnering media coverage, and providing advocacy skills training to others to build an even larger cadre of voices for improved FP/RH in their communities.

Download ( 3.87 MB)

Date Published: 13 February 2012

Document Type: Briefs & Fact Sheets

Issue: Family Planning & Reproductive Health

Languages: English

Purchase Method: Download