The Programme Co-ordinator, Pathfinder International, Ms Hauwa Usman has assured of Nigeria’s Family Planning Commitment by 2030.
Ms Hauwa while speaking at a National Level Media Partners workshop in Lafia, Nasarawa State expressed concern over failure of Nigeria to achieve the Family Planning commitment of 2020, however expressed optimism that it would be achieved by 2030.
Ms Hauwa explained that lack of funding and delay in release of funds were responsible for the failure in achieving FP 2020.”
Meanwhile, Hauwa disclosed that Nigeria is the sixth most populous nation in the World with 27% Contraceptives Prevalence Rate, CPR, which makes Child’s spacing uptake imperative.
According to her, Child spacing is the most effective way to achieve demographic dividend in the country.
Ms Usman noted that Childs spacing advocacy was not targeted at discouraging women from having children but to plan for a better living.
She said; “With Child birth, which sometimes causes death of mother and child, we all know that family planning is the most effective way to reduce maternal mortality. We are not saying you should stop giving birth but there is room for women and families to plan and space their children.”
She described Advance Family Planning (AFP) as an advocacy based project, and the aim of the workshop was to orient Journalists on demographical dividend.
According to her, ”the advocacy project is targeted at decision makers, but ultimately the beneficiaries are those women and girls in the communities.”
She further assured of Pathfinder International commitment to continue to work in synergy with Media organisations and Civil Societies to achieve their goals.