Fatshimetrie, the excellent online news site, brings us today a crucial report on the challenges of family planning in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Indeed, during a scientific morning organized in Kinshasa by the National Reproductive Health Program (PNSR), an urgent call was made for the mobilization of material and financial resources to improve access to contraception in the country.
The speech by Ms. Anne Marie Tumba, Director of the PNSR, sounds like a cry from the heart for greater availability of essential resources to guarantee effective family planning. She highlights the need to offer women and girls a wide range of contraceptive methods, while emphasizing the importance of clear and accessible explanations provided by qualified professionals.
One of the major barriers mentioned by Ms. Tumba is that of sociocultural barriers and traditional norms that sometimes hinder access to contraception. Breaking these taboos and stereotypes is essential to allow everyone, and especially young girls, to freely decide on their sexual and reproductive health.
The benefits of family planning are multiple, as the director of the PNSR points out. In addition to helping to reduce maternal and infant mortality, this practice allows women to better manage their fertility and personal development. On the social and economic level, it promotes the empowerment of women and their participation in the fight against poverty.
The intervention of Mr. Désiré Bapitani, representative of the Secretary General for Health, highlights the progress made by the DRC in regulating family planning, in particular through the adoption of a decree on the use of contraceptive methods.
World Contraception Day, celebrated every year on October 26, is of capital importance in raising awareness among populations of the importance of making informed choices in matters of reproductive and sexual health. This year’s theme, “choice for all, freedom to plan, power to choose”, resonates as a call for the empowerment and education of individuals, especially young girls.
In short, this call for mobilization for family planning in the DRC highlights crucial issues for the health and socio-economic development of the country. It recalls the importance of guaranteeing everyone the right to control their body and make informed choices about contraception. An essential step to build a more inclusive future that respects the rights of everyone.