Forth Conference on Family Planning in Nigeria: Faith Leaders’ Response

The fourth edition of the conference on Family Planning organized by IMC in collaboration with Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH), supported by Ministry of Health, Association of the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP), Development Research and Project Centre (DRPC), CAN and JNI representatives, and other stakeholders held from November 2 – 3, 2016 in Abuja.  

The conference was chaired by the two Co Executive Directors, Imam Nurayn Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye was organized on the premise of Interfaith Dialogue.

The main objectives of the conference were

·         To assist FBOs and Faith Leaders to develop road map on qualitative health delivery services in Nigeria

·         To identify prospects and challenges of religious socio cultural norms impeding Family Planning and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in Nigeria.

Issues discussed included:

·         The importance of maternal health programme.

·         Methods of family planning.

·         Promoting Health services.

·         The use of Cyber space for sensitizing the public

From the religious perspectives, representatives of JNI and CAN gave the religious backing to family planning, while calling on followers from the two faiths to embrace the practice so as to help build a healthy family.

There was also experience sharing of best practices during the conference. The highlights of the experience shared included:

–          Dialogue through the media

–          Deep concerns emanating from different quarters on family planning

–          The use of art and music in promoting family planning values in the right concept as specified by the Religions

–          Issue of been meticulous to prevent making things that are lawful to be unlawful and vice-versa

The forum also accorded the participants the privilege to make suggestions and ask questions on the theme of the program.