Faith and Family Planning: What’s the Connection?

USAID: Funder JSI & FHI 360: ImplementersCCIH:Sub-grantee USAID’s Advancing Partners & Communities Funding Structure

CCIH defines family planning as “enabling couples to determine the number and timing of pregnancies, including the voluntary use of methods for preventing pregnancy-not including abortion-that are harmonious with their values and beliefs.”

220 million women… When a woman’s need for family planning is not satisfied—it can lead to serious consequences for women, their families, communities, and a nation.

Unmet need is especially high among: Adolescents/young women Migrant women Urban slum dwellers Refugees Postpartum women

Reasons for not using contraception 1.Concerns about health risks and side effects 2.Infrequent sex 3.Partner/family opposition Barriers to access, affordability, cultural and religious influences, lack of knowledge

Consequences of unmet need for FP Unplanned pregnancies Unmet need for FP Abortion Serious injuries or death Unplanned children Unplanned pregnancies 22 million fewer unplanned births 15 million fewer unsafe abortions 90,000 fewer maternal deaths If all unmet need was met

In developing countries, 90% of adolescent pregnancies occur within marriage

Women who delay childbearing and plan for HTSP are healthier and more productive

HIV prevention is also of key importance— especially for young women.

Think outside the box: integration Family planning PMTCT OVC programming WASH Economic strengthening Other Health and non- health services HIV preventionNutrition Maternal and Child Health Immunizations

Religion Matters

Faith-Based Organizations & Faith Entities ●FBOs = Faith Based Non-Profits (Usually) ● Faith Entities = everybody else ○ Churches, Mosques, Synagogues ○ Universities ○ Interfaith coalitions ○ Health Systems

Faith-Based Clinical Systems In CCIH’s Global South Partner Countries, these systems... Comprise over 75% of private, nonprofit health facilities in Uganda Provide 40% of health care in Kenya Provide 30% of health care in Zambia In the Washington DC Metro Area, we have: Holy Cross Hospital – Catholic Georgetown University Hospital – Catholic Washington & Shady Grove Adventist Hospitals

Christian Diversity and Family Planning Contraception Abortion Age of use Appropriate methods Interest

What Christians say about family planning: “The United Methodist Church supports the right for men and women worldwide to have the ability to choose when, or if, to have children.” The National Association of Evangelicals: “From the beginning, God established multiple purposes for sex and granted humans a stewardship role over his creation, so there is legitimacy in family planning and the use of ethical means of contraception.” The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: “A couple may generously decide to have a large family, or may for serious reasons choose not to have more children for the time being or even for an indefinite period.”

Faith and family planning: What’s the connection? Committed to serving the poor and disadvantaged Long-term presence in their communities Deep and trusted relationships with their communities Strong Leadership

Questions from Moderator: 1)Do community attitudes on family planning differ when learning about them through faith institutions? 2)Is there a difference in the way you talk about family planning and the uptick you see in services? UPMB’s Family Planning Activities with Faith Leaders in Uganda

Other Strategies Counsel young married couples about delayed first pregnancy Support policies to limit early marriage Educate through Christian groups and programs Counseling by church-based community health workers and peer counselors Promote messages through scripture and sermons Talk about gender issues and sexuality

Faith-Based Messaging December 2014: Faith Matters: International Family Planning from a Christian Perspective Purpose: How can FBOs/Faith Entities reach people who need education on and access to FP? Broad topics arose, including: gender roles; local leadership; economic-driven reasoning; male involvement; early child marriage & waiting to conceive; healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies

Messaging Activity You have been assigned a population group: married young women, men & boys, local faith leaders, or government officials. Which of these message(s) would resonate the most with your population? Can you think of theoretical or actual FBO programs that promote these messages? 1. Marital sex is a gift from God to experience and express His love. 2. Empowering women & girls leads to better outcomes for themselves, their families, and their communities. 3. True Manhood is not measured by the number of women slept with, but by keeping the same woman satisfied, safe and blessed for a lifetime. 4. Families who engage in HTSP are able to contribute more to their communities and are less of a burden on a community’s resources and safety net system.

THANK YOU! Marta Pirzadeh, Technical Officer FHI360 Maddie Orange Project Coordinator CCIH