Niger Government Signs Decree in Support of Regional Family Planning Services
In December 2021, with technical support from HP+ Niger, the Governor of Maradi signed a decree for the creation and functioning of the Regional Technical Committee that will monitor the implementation of the Budgeted National Action Plan (PANB) for Family Planning 2021–2025 in Niger. In addition to monitoring the implementation strategies defined in the action plan, the decree also mandates: promotion of any innovative strategy falling within the framework to achieve objectives, coordination of local family planning interventions, and monitoring the availability of the full range of modern contraceptive products and methods to allow clients free and informed choice.
Under the leadership of the Regional Directorate of Public Health, Population and Social Affairs of Maradi, stakeholders including HP+, the government of Niger, and civil society organizations have agreed to carry out advocacy efforts and activities to increase women's access to family planning services. HP+ Niger worked with the head of the health service of the Directorate on the proposal for the Regional Technical Committee for monitoring the implementation of the action plan. This included collaboration between the Governorate, the Directorate, and HP+ in formulating the final draft of the decree and to coral support the Secretary General of the Governorate on the importance of this regional effort that would strengthen the country’s national reproductive health policy.
The next steps for this initiative include a meeting to officially establish the Regional Technical Committee, establish thematic groups, and appoint a permanent secretariat to oversee committee coordination.
