FAMILY PLANNING AND SAVINGS PROGRAMS: Experience of Rwanda FP conference in Dakar Presented by Agnes Mukamana

SAFI: Economic Security and Development Impact group Vulnerable poor women Program Goal By 2015, 750,000 extremely poor people, particularly women and girls (at least 70%), will have achieved economic security, exercise their rights to health, education and influence decision-making at all levels.

VSL methodology A group of people who save together and take small loans from those savings. The activities of the VSLA run in ‘cycles’ of about one year, after which the accumulated savings and the loan profits are shared out among the members according to the amount they have saved.

Result Initiative Work with partners to establish auxiliary FP posts Strength FP outreach services Work with religious leaders to raise awareness and acceptance of FP Training of Change Agent, anti-GBV committees and peer educators to increase their capacity to challenge social norms and practices Involvement of men’s support groups in discussions on Gender and power relations at household level Conduct staff reflection sessions to stimulate personal transformation and change

Justification of integration In the Mid Term Review, SAFI project has completed  Gender Gaps Analysis: several challenges were raised that could be improved through the integration of gender, GBV and family planning activities.  The findings showed that woman’s economic empowerment alone is not enough to ensure wellbeing at the household level.  Challenges related to gender issues, power dynamics and communication at the household level need be taken into account in tandem for sustainable economic empowerment.

Piloting the Integration (SAFI/RI) Location: Gatsibo district, Eastern Province Target: VSL was used as an entry point in order to increase women’s access to economic opportunities. Integration: FP, GBV and HIV among poor women Methodology: Social Analysis and Action methodology

Mutual benefits RI is designed to increase the use of FP by concurrently addressing health system strengthening and the social and cultural determinants of health SAFI designed to educate communities in saving and borrowing for investment in small economic activities, household income and asset building.

Outcomes (FP & Economy)

Perceived Impacts Household income: Entrepreneurship development; Social capital Large increase in assetsLarge increase in assets Improved nutrition, access to medical services and educationImproved nutrition, access to medical services and education Improved social status/social capitalImproved social status/social capital Improved intra-family relationshipsImproved intra-family relationships Increased stability of household enterprisesIncreased stability of household enterprises Increase in number of Economic ActivitiesIncrease in number of Economic Activities

Integration update In 129 VSL groups 2853 women and 1010 men Working with 129 peer educators (FP) 45 Change agents (VSLG) 30 Church Leaders 6 sector Anti GBV committees Training of 128 Peer Educators (males& females) on GBV, FP and Male engagement. Training of staff in FP, Gender and use of social change tools (SAA tools) Reflection sessions with project and CO staff on gender norms

Reason of success  Access to FP services: FP post &CBD  Access to information (weekly meetings)  Challenge of some social norms (SAA)  Couple counseling done by trained religious leaders

Challenges Sustaining the integration Monitoring activities/supervision FP services for specific groups like widows and youth not yet in place