In order to help improve access to family planning services for the population, Equipop has worked with political actors and civil society to strengthen their capacities, particularly in terms of advocacy strategies. At the same time, the NGO has initiated advocacy meetings with the Minister of Health to restore 500,000,000 CFA francs of the national budget line allocated to the purchase of contraceptive products.
Still high demand for family planning services
In the country, 24% of women and girls of reproductive age still have unmet needs for FP (2010 DHS). As confirmed by the Population Policy Directorate, one-third of pregnancies are unplanned, and more than 200,000 women become pregnant each year without intending to have a child.
National authorities have made significant efforts in favor of family planning (FP): adoption of policies, development of programs, and commitments made. However, modern contraceptive prevalence remains low at 15%.
By making family planning a priority, Burkina Faso had committed to allocating funds for the purchase of contraceptive products for women and girls of childbearing age. This policy, which made Burkina Faso the top-ranked member country of the Ouagadougou Partnership, had evolved to 500,000,000 CFA francs in 2014 before experiencing a significant decline in 2016 to 300,000,000 CFA francs , which is a cause for concern among stakeholders.
Civil society mobilizes with the government to purchase contraceptive products
Faced with this situation, Equilibres & Populations, together with civil society, has therefore undertaken to lobby the Minister of Health for the restoration of the national budget line allocated to the purchase of contraceptive products to 500,000,000 CFA francs.
Initially, Equipop worked with civil society to strengthen their advocacy capacities. Following this, Equipop initiated meetings to request support and assistance from other resource persons capable of influencing the Minister of Health in his decision in favor of family planning, especially in the context of free healthcare for children under 5 and pregnant women. During this phase, new civil society actors and even parliamentarians, all committed to maternal and child health, collaborated and participated in this advocacy action.
A favorable response from the government to this request will reduce shortages and consequently make products available to all women in order to combat maternal and infant mortality in Burkina Faso.
