The 8th Nigeria Family Planning Conference 2024 held a pre-conference event in Abuja today, ahead of the main conference scheduled for December 4-6, 2024, at the Abuja Continental Hotel.
Dr. Ejike Orji, Chair of the Local Organizing Committee, emphasized the importance of media advocacy and public sensitization for effective family planning outcomes. The event brought together stakeholders from various sectors, who strongly advocated for involving men in family planning decisions to promote economic and health benefits for families.
Key discussions included the need for sustainable financing for family planning, expanding access and quality to family planning through networking and technology, and interfaith approaches to family planning. A panelist, Dr. Kassa Abe, suggested that the government should deny benefits to fathers who don’t comply with family planning schemes, which should only cover up to four children per family.
The National President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Mrs Geraldine Etuk, assured that they would use their network to ensure family planning reaches the grassroots.
The Vice Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) FCT Chapter, Amb. Rebecca Bolanle Ukpevo, advised couples to have their desired number of children before adopting family planning measures to avoid side effects that may affect marriages. However, health experts emphasized the importance of adequate counseling to mitigate unwanted side effects.
It is great to see stakeholders coming together to address family planning issues in Nigeria.