Family Planning Association of India India launches nationwide campaign

Dimapur, July 18 (EMN): Family Planning Association of India (FPA India), a leading national NGO, has launched a nationwide campaign “Youth Dialogue- A perspective on Family Planning 2020” to create awareness on ‘Sexual and reproductive health and rights for all.’ The campaign intends to mobilise the young population of India residing in various cities, towns, slums and villages and initiate conversation to understand their access to information and services related to sexual and reproductive health.

Dr. Kalpana Apte, secretary general and CEO of Family Planning Association of India said, “Around 1.8 billion youngsters are entering into their reproductive years in the country. Hence, it’s necessary to not just work closely with all government and private bodies but also get young people’s attention towards their own sexual and reproductive health.”

She also stated that it is also important for the youth to have access to proper information and clarity about the issues they are facing or will be facing in their lives. She further stated that FPA India work towards creating an enabling environment for youth to get care and protection while seeking sexual and reproductive healthcare, counselling and services.

President of FPA India, Nagaland chapter, James Liezietsu said, “Adolescence is the age of experimentation and our youngsters are at risk of turning towards unhealthy avenues as a credible source of information about issues related to family planning, sexuality education, use of contraceptives method and safety measures like condoms, reproductive health, sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS etc.

He stated that through the campaign, India’s young generation should take the lead in assessing sexual and reproductive health, Family Planning 2020 agenda and drawing up a robust plan for Family Planning 2020 and beyond.”

India has more than 50% of its population below the age of 25 and more than 65% below the age of 35. According to FPA India data, in 2018 the number of females (Under the age of 25 years) who availed abortion services was 74,871 whereas 1,60,076 number of males (Under the age of 25 years) took general counselling from FPAI on Family Planning and contraception. The data also revealed that 1,58,117 number of females (under the age of 25 years) took Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCP).

FPA India pays great attention towards the rights of individuals including laws and policies around sexual and reproductive rights of young people. The campaign will be conducted in states like Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, West Bengal, Nagaland, Bihar and Jharkhand with an aim to connect young people to drive the dialogue across all platforms, using both online and offline channels of communication.

The campaign would conclude by submitting a state-wise report card which would put together the findings reflecting the voices of young people and multiple other stakeholders. The report cards would then be presented to the Government of India and further discussed at a national-level consultation in the capital city – New Delhi.