Gabriela Tumani, FP2030 Intern, Communications and Advocacy
This month has been a remarkable one for FP2030, marked by notable achievements that underscore the importance of the FP2030 partnership in expanding access to family planning and reproductive health across diverse sectors and communities.
In recent weeks, faith leaders and partners have come together to inclusively collaborate in strategies to promote family planning and reproductive health. During an enlightening Interfaith Coordination Call, participants engaged in an open discussion regarding the importance of interfaith collaboration in this vital area. This dialogue also highlighted the current challenges and emphasized the need for all voices to be heard in that space. The prospect of launching a campaign in collaboration with faith leaders is particularly exciting as it could unlock new possibilities for family planning initiatives.
“Now more than ever, the engagement of faith actors is crucial to address the growing interights movement to ensure family planning reaches the communities that need it most,” said Mande Limbu, Director of Advocacy and Partnerships at FP2030.
Innovation is also at the forefront of the work being done at FP2030, exemplified by a new article on FP2020 and FP2030 commitments on AY published in the Global Health: Science and Practice Journal. Authored by our own, Laura Raney, Senior Advisor of High Impact Practices in Family Planning – alongside other experts in sexual and reproductive health – the piece highlights how adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH) is more prominent in FP2030 commitments compared to FP2020. However, as the article notes, there’s still work to be done – policymakers must strengthen policies and increase funding for AYSRH to effectively meet the needs and rights of young people.
“As a co-author, I’m excited that we are able to share the important work that was done by countries under Family Planning 2020 in addition to highlighting the progress on AY made in the FP2030 commitment-making countries,” said Laura Raney, Senior Advisor, High Impact Practices in Family Planning (HIPs) at FP2030. “Though there is always room for improvement, countries have made great strides in AYSRH commitments.”
On the global stage, FP2030 made a noticeable impact at the 2024 World Health Summit in Berlin, Germany.
Dr. Samukeliso Dube, Executive Director of FP2030, attended the summit to address the importance of women in agriculture and their critical role in food production and caregiving, particularly in the context of climate change. Samu raised important questions about how this crisis is disproportionately affecting women and girls, who face increased displacement and health challenges due to gender inequality and limited reproductive choices. This highlights the urgent need for partnerships that advance FP2030’s goals by addressing the interconnectedness of health, environmental sustainability, and gender equity.
As this month draws to a close, some important dates need to be recognized – World Menopause Day (Oct. 18), International Day of the Girl Child (Oct.11), International Day of Rural Women (Oct. 15), International Day Against Breast Cancer (Oct. 19), United Nations Day (Oct. 24) and Intersex Awareness Day (Oct. 26).
As FP2030 advances into a new month, the focus remains on collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity to ensure family planning and reproductive health initiatives continue to thrive and reach those who need them the most.
