Family Planning and Reproductive Health Leadership Development Project (DRPC)

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People at an advocacy meeting in Bauchi
Support by men is crucial in family planning and reproductive health. At an advocacy meeting in Bauchi

Access to quality reproductive health and family planning services remain poor in Nigeria. The 2008 edition of the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) indicates that only 9.7 percent of married women use a modern method of contraception, while 20% of women have an unmet need for family planning services. With access to information on methods to delay and space births, family planning unmet needs tend to increase as more women want to use contraception.

Family Planning and Reproductive Health Leadership Development Strategy

The Family Planning and Reproductive Health Leadership Development Project is implemented by the Development Research and Project Center (DRPC), a local Nigerian non-profit organization headquartered in Kano State. DRPC’s mission is to build capacity and social capital for participatory and action based research in the public sector and civil society.

USAID funds DRPC to implement the Family Planning and Reproductive Health Leadership Development Project to increase awareness of family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH) while simultaneously reducing access and utilization barriers by strengthening the leadership and social commitment of political office holders, increasing the commitment to funding FP/RH programs and projects, and improving the legal and policy framework for FP/RH in Niger, Sokoto and Zamfara States.

DRPC focuses on advocating and building capacity with key political leaders through leadership forums and conducts training on FP/RH to gain support and build champions for FP/RH. The center has developed a mentoring program for participants and offers continued support and guidance in completing the goals identified during the workshops.

An alumni network of FP/RH champions has been created for participants of the leadership forums to engender collective responsibility for sustaining the FP/RH and encouraging the continued accomplishment of results. DRPC develops and distributes materials, which are used during advocacy visits to encourage decision makers in the government to increase the resources available for FP/RH programs. 

PROGRAM SNAPSHOT

  • Project Name: Family Planning and Reproductive Health Leadership Development Project
  • Partner:Development Research and Project Center
  • Annual Budget: $1,500,000
  • Life of Activity: 2009 - 2012
  • Geographic Focus: Niger State, Sokoto State, Zamfara State