By Mary Jalingo
Nigeria Government at all levels have been urged as a matter of urgency to ensure that the national Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) and acceptance of modern contraceptive method should not be less than 27 percent by 2020.
National Secretary, Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria (NRHJN), Mrs Yinka Shokunbi stated this in a press statement to mark the 2019 International Women’s Day celebration with the theme, “Balance for Better.”
Mrs Yinka Shokunbi said that to have a Balanced for Better world, there is need for conscious effort to accelerate gender parity which she noted is essential for economies and communities to thrive.
She said one of the guiding principles of the FP2020 partnership is that no matter your gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, or marital status, you have the right to decide if, whether, or when to have a child adding that It begins with making sure that women’s and girls’ needs and experiences are integrated at the very inception of technology and innovations and building smart solutions that go beyond acknowledging the gender gaps to addressing the needs of men and women equally.
“For Nigerian women, the Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria (NRHJN) therefore advocates for innovative programs and ways that seek to ensure no woman is left behind when it comes to access to family planning services particularly modern contraceptives”
National Secretary said NRHJN is making a strong case that all incoming states governments must consciously provide budget lines for family planning and timely release of funds for the purpose of ensuring services are provided at the primary healthcare levels.
She said as the country joins the rest of the world to celebrate this year’s IWD, it must be truly committed to empowering women by giving them access to modern contraceptive methods and sexual reproductive health services as well as end the global gag rule.
