The Permanent, Technical, Multi-Sectoral Committee for Family Planning 9/11/2018 The Added Value of a Multi-Sectorial Family Planning Coalition in a Post-Conflict Environment in DRC: The Permanent, Technical, Multi-Sectoral Committee for Family Planning (CTMP/FP) Dr. Raoza Vololona Rafanoharana CARE | Democratic Republic of Congo Dakar, Senegal | March 2016 Co-Author: Erin Files Dumas, CARE | USA

9/11/2018 Context and Timing 2004 & 2009: 1st & 2nd National FP Conferences 2010: Formation of National-Level FP Committee for Advocacy & Policy 2013: Government commitment to FP at ICFP in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2014: 3rd national FP Conference 2015: (March) Decree for provincial-level working groups (June) Official installation of CTMP/FP in North Kivu From 2004 to 2014, DRC saw substantial commitment by its national government to promote family planning (FP) and ensure access to services for Congolese women and families. In 2015, a national decree to create permanent working groups for family planning (FP) across the country was issued. In North Kivu, an Eastern DRC province, CARE formed and lead this working group.

mCPR Prevalance in DRC According to FP2020, substantial gains are being made in DRC’s prevalence of modern contraception. CTMP/PF contributes to accelerating these gains. Source: Data Visualization of FP2020 Core Indicators. k4Health. https://www.k4health.org/resources/understanding-fp2020s-core-indicators

CTMP/FP Goals To help realize the FP2020 goal of enabling 120 million more women and girls to use contraceptives by 2020, CTMP/FP seeks to: Expand FP coverage – (e.g. partner map partners, identify gaps, coordinate response) Advocate for increases in North Kivu’s FP budget allocation. Lead the North Kivu Governor to declare a commitment to prioritize FP in the province.

A Variety of Stakeholders 9/11/2018 A Variety of Stakeholders Ministries Donors National NGOs and civil society International NGOs Universities Religious organizations and representatives Ministries Health (National Reproductive Health Program) Ministries of Gender, Transportation, Justice, Youth, Education, Interior, etc. Donors UNFPA, USAID, DFID, Packard Foundation, Gates Foundation, World Bank, etc. National NGOs and civil society International NGOs Universities Religious organizations and representatives © 2007 Jessica Scranton, Courtesy of Photoshare

CTMP/FP North Kivu

CTMP/FP Accomplishments 9/11/2018 CTMP/FP Accomplishments Increase recognition/accountability PNSR as provincial lead for FP Socialize little known policies: (e.g. husband authorization not necessary) Identify and address barriers to policy implementation: (e.g. case of providers harassment of women and a providers) Increased visibility for the need for FP A defined focal point : National Reproductive Health Program CTMP/PF was the designated host for visits by representatives from the CTMP/PF provides a mechanism for influencing the implementation of policies including SRH services for adolescents and the elimination of provider harassment for women and families seeking SRH services9 of the 32 Health Zones in North Kivu have Family Planning Programs, as determined by a CTMP/FP’s review of services in the region

Strategies for Success I Don’t Wait! CTMP/FP North Kivu was the first provincial-level working group to be established after the decree was issued, resulting in its immediate recognition by the Minister of Health Maintain a Variety of Actors in Leadership Positions Head coordinator: CARE International Vice coordinator: UNFPA Secretary: National Reproductive Health Program Vice-secretary: Division of Gender, Women, Families, and Infants Make an Organizational Commitment An official signature by CARE and other actors established commitment for the sustainability of the working group CARE’s participation at the national level allowed for leadership at the provincial level

Strategies for Success II 9/11/2018 Strategies for Success II CARE used successes to bolster credibility: Built Regional SRH Training Center in collaboration with other organizations. Continuing training of providers on FP/PAC 29,065 new FP users 1,827 PAC clients served presented two abstracts at the Third National Family Planning Conference in Kinshasa 2013 Continuing # of trained providers on FP?PAC based of The construction and success of CARE’s Regional SRH training center showed that increases in Family Planning uptake are possible in N. Kivu

CARE Demonstrated Rapid Uptake of FP 9/11/2018 CARE Demonstrated Rapid Uptake of FP

Challenges and Future Directions Increasing mCPR by 1.5% per year to reach 19% prevalence in 2020: A lofty goal! Advocate for the development and implementation of a national reproductive health law Advocate for increased budget for contraceptive products Maintain momentum among coalition members Advocate for elimination of taxes on imported contraceptives Continuously map and track all FP programs in the district

Key Take-Aways The North Kivu CTMP/P is: is an effective mechanism to convene FP stakeholders. has positioned itself as the leading force to direct FP efforts in the district/province This model may be used to compliment national initiatives in other post-conflict settings.

Thank you! Merci!