The Challenge Initiative (TCI) Nigeria has emphasized the need to highlight the role of family planning in advancing women’s rights and empowerment, stating that access to family planning services enables women to participate in the workforce and contribute meaningfully to societal growth. The Challenge Initiative Nigeria is a non-governmental organization (NGO) involved in scaling up high-impact family planning and reproductive health interventions. It focuses on building resilient health systems and fostering self-reliance in state governments.
In a statement issued by TCI to align with the theme of the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) — Accelerate Action — it was noted that childbirth spacing significantly reduces maternal and infant mortality rates, promoting healthier families and stronger communities. Endorsed by Dr. Taiwo Johnson, the Country Lead at The Challenge Initiative Nigeria, and made available to journalists in Uyo, the statement asserts that by allowing women to make informed choices about their reproductive health, FP/childbirth spacing ensures better health outcomes, improved economic opportunities, and an enhanced quality of life for families and communities. It further highlights that the 2025 theme, Accelerate Action, calls for rapid advancements in gender equality, focusing on recognizing strategies and tools that drive women’s progress in education, employment, and leadership. At DevComs, there is strong support for the theme of the 2025 IWD through accelerating women’s access to family planning, which is considered more than just a health intervention but a catalyst for gender equality, economic empowerment, and sustainable development.
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Suliyat Eletu, the Communication/Knowledge Management Officer of TCI, noted that the NGO has been supporting the Nigerian government since 2017 by providing technical assistance to 22 states across the country, ensuring 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 has successfully implemented high-impact family planning approaches and provides guidance to self-selected states, local government areas (LGAs), and partners willing to invest in family planning. The initiative supports new states, cities, and partners seeking technical and financial coaching to implement effective family planning programs that align with their investments.
The statement describes FP/childbirth spacing as a cornerstone for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on women’s health, economic growth, and gender equality. It explains that FP contributes to SDG 3 by reducing unintended pregnancies, lowering maternal and child mortality rates, and ensuring better health outcomes for women and infants. It also aligns with SDG 4, as access to FP enables women and girls to complete their education and pursue economic opportunities. Regarding SDG 5, family planning empowers women by giving them control over their reproductive choices, promoting equality in decision-making within families and communities. For SDG 8, the ability to plan families allows more women to participate in the workforce and contribute to economic development. Expanding FP services also plays a role in achieving SDG 10 by ensuring vulnerable populations, including those in rural and conflict-affected areas, have access to essential reproductive healthcare. Furthermore, in line with SDG 13, managing population growth through FP helps reduce environmental pressures and supports sustainable resource management.
Despite significant efforts, the statement highlights that challenges continue to hinder FP accessibility in Nigeria. These obstacles include cultural and religious resistance to modern contraceptives, stockouts of FP commodities due to supply chain disruptions, inadequate funding, and policy gaps that limit service expansion. Other issues such as misconceptions and myths discouraging contraceptive use, limited male involvement in FP decision-making, poor healthcare access in rural and conflict-affected areas, and weak logistics management systems affecting FP commodity availability further compound the problem.
To sustain the progress of FP and ensure continued advancements, the statement suggests institutionalizing FP training in medical and nursing schools, strengthening FP commodity security through improved supply chains, and integrating FP into Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programs. It also calls for fostering community ownership through collaboration with CSOs and traditional leaders, as well as expanding government commitment to FP budgeting and funding.
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