Persisting resistance to use of modern contraceptives by many families has been identified as a major reason for unbridled population growth in Nigeria.
A media development organisation mobilizing public health journalism, DevComs Network, says cultural and religious resistance to contraceptives still hinder family planning accessibility despite significant efforts to promote the practice.
DevCom Network which has been collaborating with a reproductive health enhancing organisation, The Challenge Initiative, TCI Nigeria, to promote family planning activities in the country, said poor attitude to use of contraceptives owing to negative interpretations has distanced many people from contraceptives despite their usefulness in preventing indiscriminate childbirths.
DevComs, making the assertion in a press statement marking the 2025 International Women’s Day, stressed that it supports the theme of the 2025 International Women’s Day, ‘Accelerate Action’, because it believes in accelerating women’s access to family planning as a catalyst for economic empowerment.
The statement, released by the Program Officer of DevComs, Eletu Suliyat, quotes the Country Lead of TCI Nigeria, Dr Taiwo Johnson as asserting that allowing women to make informed choices about childbirth spacing ensures better health outcomes enhance quality of life.
DevComs expresses the regret that apart from cultural and religious resistance to modern contraceptives; inadequacy of family planning commodities, poor funding, limited male involvement and poor health care access remain factors hindering family planning accessibility in the country.
It urges relevant authorities to improve supply of family planning commodities, integrate family planning in universal health coverage programmes, and expand family planning budgeting.
