In Azerbaijan, Religious Leader Takes on Public Health Role
After the tragic death of a close friend’s wife following an abortion three years ago, Elnur Ismaylov, a religious leader in his local mosque, became deeply troubled by the high number of unwanted pregnancies couples terminate as a result of not using contraception. Yet a glimmer of hope appeared when he recently attended a peer education session on family planning in his village in Aghsu district. The session left a strong impression on Elnur, who knew immediately that it was his duty to join the project to spread the word among his friends and neighbors.
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| A Muslim community leader educates local families about family planning |
“My wife and I understand the importance of using methods to prevent unwanted pregnancy and its complications. And I realized this even more when I attended the peer education session—that’s why I am so glad I attended,” he says.
Shortly afterward the session, Elnur approached the USAID’s Reproductive Health and Family Planning Project and asked to be trained as a peer educator.
“The little I knew before came from my friends, but it was loaded with misconceptions, and now I know that most of the things I had heard about contraceptives were not true.”
Today, Elnur is proud of the sessions he conducts, and feels he can make a difference. USAID training has helped him to feel more confident talking about reproductive health issues and creating an environment which diminishes his peers’ inhibitions. They ask many questions about methods they want to use, particularly from a religious standpoint.
“Such methods are acceptable in our religion”, says Elnur, “Islam says ‘to prevent undesired pregnancy you should use means to do so. That’s why I feel that advocating contraceptives is worthy of being blessed. There is an expression in Islam ‘one complete person is equal to 10 half people’ - and the American people, through USAID help make Azerbaijani people complete.”
Over 44000 men and women have been reached with information on family planning by peer educators in 13 districts by USAID’s Reproductive Health/Family Planning Project in Azerbaijan. Many of these are now using contraceptive methods of their choice, and no longer fear unintended pregnancy.
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