IWD 2025: Advancing family planning for women’s empowerment, access to health
As Nigeria marks the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, it is crucial to highlight the role of FP in advancing women’s rights and empowerment.
Access to FP services enables women to complete their education, participate in the workforce, and contribute meaningfully to society. Moreover, childbirth spacing significantly reduces maternal and infant mortality rates, promoting healthier families and stronger communities. The 2025 theme, ‘Accelerate Action,’ calls for rapid advancements in gender equality. It focuses on recognising strategies and tools that drive women’s progress in education, employment, and leadership.
“We strongly support the theme of the 2025 IWD through accelerating Women’s Access to Family planning (FP), which is more than just a health intervention—it is a catalyst for gender equality, economic empowerment, and sustainable development,” says the Communication/Knowledge Management Officer at Devcom Communications, Suliyat Eletu.
According to Dr. Taiwo Johnson, the Country lead at The Challenge Initiative (TCI) Nigeria, “By allowing women to make informed choices about their reproductive health, FP/Childbirth Spacing ensures better health outcomes, improved economic opportunities, and enhanced quality of life for families and communities.”
TCI has been supporting the government of Nigeria since 2017, providing technical support to 22 States across the country for a sustainable local response to the needs of women and families. Managed by The Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP), TCI’s Nigeria hub accelerates the proven high-impact family planning approaches and provides guidance to self-selected states, local government areas (LGAs), and partners willing to invest in family planning. New states, cities, and partners ask for technical and financial coaching and mentoring to implement successful family planning programming to match their investments.
FP/Childbirth Spacing is a cornerstone for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on women’s health, economic growth, and gender equality: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): FP reduces unintended pregnancies, lowers maternal and child mortality, and ensures better health outcomes for women and infants, SDG 4 (Quality Education): When women and girls have access to FP, they are more likely to complete their education and pursue economic opportunities, SDG 5 (Gender Equality): FP empowers women by giving them control over their reproductive choices, promoting equality in decision-making within families and communities.
Others include, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Women who can plan their families are more likely to participate in the workforce and contribute to economic development, SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Expanding FP services ensures that vulnerable populations, including those in rural and conflict-affected areas, have access to essential reproductive healthcare and SDG 13 (Climate Action): Managing population growth through FP helps reduce environmental pressures and supports sustainable resource management.
Despite significant efforts, challenges continue to hinder FP accessibility in Nigeria, including: Cultural and religious resistance to modern contraceptives, Stockouts of FP commodities due to supply chain disruptions and Inadequate funding and policy gaps limiting service expansion.
Other limitations are Misconceptions and myths discouraging contraceptive use, Limited male involvement in FP decision-making, Poor healthcare access, especially in rural and conflict-affected areas, and Weak logistics management systems affecting FP commodity availability, among others.
To sustain the gains of P for the future the country must ensure continued progress, by: Institutionalizing FP training in medical and nursing schools, Strengthening FP commodity security through improved supply chains, Integrating FP into Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programs, Fostering community ownership through collaboration with CSOs and traditional leaders and Expanding government commitment to FP budgeting and funding.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it’s clear that family planning is not just about reproductive health; it’s about empowering women to plan their futures. TCI works in the six geopolitical zones across Nigeria, where real progress is being made through advocacy, education, and community-led interventions. The journey is ongoing, but with sustained commitment, a future where every woman can access FP services is within reach.
