Empowering Women and Enhancing Family Planning: A High-Level Dialogue in Addis Ababa
The Consortium of Reproductive Health Association (CORHA), in partnership with the Ministry of Health and esteemed collaborators, orchestrated a significant high-level technical dialogue in Addis Ababa. The event centered on family planning and the decision-making process of women and girls.
Paving the Way for Empowerment
Mr. Abebe Kebede, the Executive Director of CORHA, extended a heartfelt welcome to partners and distinguished guests through a compelling opening address. In his speech, he illuminated CORHA’s role as a unifying force, encompassing a membership umbrella steadfastly dedicated to furnishing comprehensive, integrated, and sustainable reproductive health information and services across Ethiopia. With pride, Mr. Abebe underscored CORHA’s impactful initiatives, spanning health, rights, integrated reproductive health, family planning, adolescent reproductive health (ARH), and HIV & AIDS. He emphasized that this high-level dialogue signifies a pivotal stride toward nurturing robust partnerships and prioritizing this essential cause.
Action through Collaboration
Mr. Koffi Kouame, the Ethiopia Country Representative of UNFPA, graced the occasion and expressed his honor in engaging with the high-level family planning dialogue. He recounted a milestone from the previous year: the collaborative signing of the Country Compact by UNFPA and the Ministry of Health, solidifying their commitment to jointly finance the procurement of reproductive health commodities. This cooperative approach consistently underscores UNFPA’s firm support for family planning, aligned with governmental and partner endeavors.
Insightful Perspectives on Family Planning
Dr. Meseret Zelalem, Director of Maternal, Child, Adolescents, and Youth Health, and Nutrition at the Federal Ministry of Health, set the tone with her insightful opening remarks. She celebrated a two-decade journey marked by heightened attention to reproductive and family planning, acknowledging remarkable achievements. The 2019 Health and Population Survey report illuminated a noteworthy surge in family planning coverage, rising from 6% in 2000 to an impressive 41.4%. However, Dr. Meseret acknowledged existing challenges, with 22% of women expressing no inclination toward family planning.
Underlining the Ministry of Health’s dedication, Dr. Meseret detailed ongoing efforts to enhance family planning financing, strengthen women’s and youth health systems, ensure seamless access to contraceptive resources, and facilitate the provision of quality family planning services. She underscored the perils of unplanned pregnancies and early childbirth, which continue to contribute to maternal illness and mortality. Drawing from the 2016 Demographic and Health Survey report, Dr. Meseret emphasized that approximately 13% of young women experience pregnancy or childbirth, subjecting them to health risks and mortality.
Reflections of Partners
Dr. Hailegnaw Eshete, Director General of Population Media Center Ethiopia, actively shared his institution’s extensive experience in family planning. The discussion illuminated the importance of deriving key takeaways and emphasized the imperative of involving both women and husbands comprehensively in family planning efforts. The rationale underlying this approach is rooted in the understanding that successful outcomes become challenging if a woman’s access to family planning services is hindered by her husband’s limited engagement.
Furthermore, Dr. Hailegnaw further highlighted the role of the media, actively recognizing its pivotal contribution in catalyzing initiatives and facilitating the achievement of objectives within the national family planning agenda for 2030.
Informed Dialogue and Progress
The high-level family planning dialogue witnessed the unveiling of the comprehensive 2023 annual report of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Health to partners and esteemed guests. The engagement was enriched by thought-provoking questions and reflections posed by participants and partner organizations, each receiving thoughtful responses and insights from the Ministry of Health and collaborating partners.
Unity in Action
The high-level family planning dialogue brought together key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health (MoH), CORHA, Population Media Center, UNFPA, Spain Cooperation, MSI, FGAC, DSW, NBCDC, GHSC-PSM, Engender Health, Taya, and other invited partners. This dynamic assembly of forces reinforced the shared commitment to advancing family planning and empowering women.
Revealing the Landscape of Family Planning
Insights from the Ethiopian Ministry of Health disclosed that injectable contraception, administered every three months, remained the predominant family planning method, embraced by 27% of users. The implant closely followed with a 9% user share. Notably, the flagship postpartum family planning services exhibited remarkable progress, escalating from 9% in 2014 to an impressive 11.7%.
Thrive Together
In the heart of Addis Ababa, the high-level dialogue underscored collective dedication to enhancing family planning services and amplifying the agency of women and girls in reproductive decisions. With unwavering determination, CORHA, the Ministry of Health, and their diverse partners forged ahead united in their pursuit of a healthier, more empowered Ethiopia.
