By Alexander Chiejina, Nigeria Health Watch

Breaking Barriers: Rethinking Family Planning Strategies at the 8th Nigeria Family Planning Conference

The 8th Nigeria Family Planning Conference shed light on the slow adoption of family planning (FP) interventions in Nigeria. During a parallel session led by the Society for Family Health Nigeria, speakers identified socio-cultural and religious norms as significant barriers stalling progress. Despite continued advocacy, resistance—especially from men who often hold decision-making power within households—remains a major hurdle.

The session emphasized the importance of educating and engaging men in family planning efforts. Speakers argued for a partnership approach where men and women collectively take responsibility for family planning decisions. By breaking cultural and religious taboos surrounding FP, male sensitization programs could become the linchpin for widespread adoption.

In an intriguing twist, Prof. Oladapo Ladipo proposed a creative awareness strategy: attaching condoms to products like beer bottles. According to him, this innovative method could normalize the use of condoms, opening doors for conversations around sexual health and family planning in a more relatable context.

The session concluded with a call for increased collaboration among stakeholders to tackle these barriers. Educating men and incorporating innovative awareness campaigns are critical for fostering change and achieving Nigeria's Family Planning (FP) goals. As Prof. Ladipo noted, normalizing family planning through creative methods could pave the way for significant progress.

Stay tuned for more community-driven, community-inspired reporting from the 8th Nigerian Family Planning Conference, taking place December 3–6, 2024.