By Simon Francis
Pathfinder International, a non-governmental organisation has identified some factors that militate against effective family planning in Nigeria.
The organisation in a three days capacity building on media content development, on Tuesday in Lafia, said that lack of awareness and advocacy on family planning is one factor that required improvement.
In a paper presentation, the Nasarawa state coordinator on Family Planning, Mrs Salome Vincent revealed that about 123 million women in the world are not using contraceptives especially those from developing countries.
According to her Nigeria can make a bold effort to achieved rapid economic development taking to effective family planning policy, which she stressed that most factors that are cantered on rapid population growth has affected the quality of life.
Salome added that fertility declined can help some family out of poverty and that in economic terms fertility decline also slower population growth.
“If Nigeria will continue without check on fertility rate and not curtailed it ,our population will be double by the year 2040
“High rate of fertility in great effect can affect education, economy and Agricultural developments, as well as under developed a Nation ” She stressed.
Salome, further highlighted that family planning has enormous benefits, that can help a mother regained health, give love and attention to her husband and as well as reduced maternal mortality and infant mortality.
She urged government to ensure prpt released of funds for the conduct of FP activities.
Earlier, the media and communication officer, Pathfinder International, Somto Atuanya said Pathfinder is driven by conviction that all people regardless of where they lived have the right to decide where and when to have children.
According to her the advocacy initiative comprising civil society and the government official is key, adding that Pathfinder international have worked in about 12 states in Nigeria on advocacy support.
Mrs Somto seeks the partnership of all stakeholders to support policy that promotes family planning, urging them to frowned at policy that are detrimental to Family planning.
