By Victor Adeoti
A global network dedicated to family planning, FP2030 for North, West, and Central Africa hub in Abuja, says it is targeting $1billion to bridge family planning budget gaps globally.
The network said the target was under its “Made Possible by Family Planning” campaign.
The Senior Lead Advocacy Officer of the organisation, Mr Yusuf Nuhu, stated this during a virtual interview with journalists on Sunday.
FP2030 is a global partnership of governments, civil society, and other organisations working to ensure that millions of women and girls have access to voluntary, rights-based family planning services by 2030.
Nuhu said that the organisation, supported by the Gates Foundation, would engage in a community-led global campaign to raise funds for the advancement of family planning globally.
Nuhu explained that the group would mobilise new financial commitments from FP2030 countries worldwide under its campaign, to raise funds globally.
He added that it would also explore other sectors, such as entertainment, arts, and fashion, to generate funds, emphasising that family planning was everybody’s business.
According to Nuhu, between 2012 and 2020, family planning witnessed significant progress but later declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic crisis.
“As a result, family planning continues to be deprioritised compared to other health programmes.
“So, because of that and many other reasons, FP2030, supported by the Gates Foundation, is leading the ‘Made Possible by Family Planning’ campaign.
“It has become imperative to rebuild that momentum so that we do not lose all the progress we have gained over the years in advancing family planning ideals globally,” he said.
He stated that the group would engage in the “Made Possible by FP” community-led global campaign to build a world where everyone had access to contraception and the right to pursue their dreams.
“We want to bring back that momentum for family planning.
“It is an intervention that will significantly contribute to the achievement of many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he said.
Nuhu mentioned that Nigeria was making progress towards reducing the funding gap for family planning commodities in the country.
According to him, in 2024, Nigeria released $4million to procure commodities, which is a significant step forward towards increased commitment.
He, however, noted that there was a funding gap in the 2025 budget for family planning.
“So, I think family planning is worth investing in. It contributes to the achievement of many of the SDGs.
“It also contributes to the reduction of maternal mortality and to about a 30 per cent reduction in maternal mortality.
“It is a wise investment to make. The more the country invests in this particular intervention, the more impetus it will get towards achieving a reduction in maternal mortality.
“In general, it contributes to socioeconomic growth and development, which all of us want to see.
“Our call to duty-bearers and decision-makers is to increase political will and prioritise family planning alongside other services in an integrated manner,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ayodeji Alabi
