By Gloria Abutu
As Nigeria joins the world in celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, experts have highlighted the critical role of family planning (FP) in advancing women’s empowerment, economic growth, and public health.
A statement, issued by Development Communications Network (DevComs) and The Challenge Initiative (TCI) Nigeria, emphasizes the importance of FP in enabling women to complete their education, participate in the workforce, and contribute meaningfully to society.
According to Suliyat Eletu, Communication/Knowledge Management Officer at DevComs, FP is more than just a health intervention—it is a catalyst for gender equality and sustainable development.
Dr. Taiwo Johnson, Country Lead at TCI Nigeria, also reaffirmed that giving women control over their reproductive health leads to better economic opportunities, lower maternal and infant mortality rates, and improved quality of life for families and communities.
The statement highlights that since 2017, TCI Nigeria, managed by Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP), has supported the Nigerian government in providing technical assistance to 22 states to strengthen FP programs.
These efforts contribute to key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including good health (SDG 3), quality education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5), economic growth (SDG 8), and climate action (SDG 13).
Despite progress, the statement notes that challenges remain, including cultural and religious resistance to modern contraceptives, stockouts of FP commodities due to supply chain disruptions, inadequate funding, misconceptions about contraceptive use, limited male involvement in FP decision-making, and poor healthcare access in rural and conflict-affected areas.
To address these issues, it calls for increased investment in FP, including institutionalizing FP training in medical and nursing schools, strengthening supply chains, integrating FP into Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programs, expanding government funding, and fostering community engagement through civil society organizations (CSOs) and traditional leaders.
As Nigeria commemorates IWD 2025, Devcoms and TCI urges sustained efforts to ensure that every woman has access to FP services, reinforcing the theme “Accelerate Action” and promoting a future where women are empowered to plan their lives and contribute to national development.
