Media Advisory “CHILDREN BY CHOICE, NOT BY CHANCE” FOR FAMILY PLANNING WEEK 2012 Who:
The National Family Planning Board
What:
in observation of National Family Planning Week 2012
Where:
will be hosting a series of events across the island
When:
from October 21st to 27th
Why:
National Family Planning Week is a yearly event that brings national focus on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) matters and the achievements of the Board. The theme for 2012 is Children by Choice, not by Chance. This theme was chosen to put the power of choice in the individuals hands, to make informed and healthy SRH choices that will secure the best possible future; by recognizing his/her SRH rights and claiming it with responsibility. The following activities will be executed under this theme: Sunday, October 21st: A Church Service at the Power of Faith Ministries – Lot 13, Portmore Town Centre, at 7.30 a.m. Monday, October 22nd: Advertorial in the Jamaica Observer; exhibit at the Kingston and St. Andrew library; College Fair at HEART Trust/VTDI – Auditorium, Gordon Town Road, Kingston from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at which the announcement of Family Planning Week Essay Competition winners will be done. Tuesday, October 23rd: A Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Fair at the Majesty Garden Covenant Community Church in Trafalgar Park, Majesty Gardens, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a live broadcast on RJR 94FM from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 24th: A Special Feature on CVM TV’s current affairs programmes – Direct at 9.00 p.m. and Live at 7 Thursday, October 25th: Condom distribution across the island Friday, October 26th: Fundraising Fish Fry at the NFPB office, 5 Sylvan Ave, Kingston 5 Saturday, October 27th: A special broadcast of Teen Seen – 6.00 p.m. on CVM TV (with a repeat the following Thursday at the same time)
-endContact:
Miss Racquel Reece Communications Officer (Writer), NFPB (876) 968 -1632-3 Cell: 537 - 8377 Ext.229; Email: rreece@jnfpb.org
Thank you to our Partners for Family Planning Week 2012 Media Partners
Ministry of Health National HIV/STI Programme United Nations Population Fund UNICEF Jamaica Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation MonaGraphic Printers Limited Emkay Sports & Trophies CARI-Med Limited Majesty Gardens Community Development Committee Social Development Commission (SDC) Power of Faith Ministries Bureau of Women’s Affairs Office of the Children’s Registry Office of the Children’s Advocate Registrar General’s Department Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH) Child Development Agency HEART Trust NTA Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network Children First/ Bashy Bus Kru Jamaica Cancer Society
Jamaica Information Service TVJ News CVM TV Mello FM Nationwide News Network Radio Jamaica
Last Updated: October 12, 2012
5:45p.m.
National Family Planning Week 2012 Observation organised by the National Family Planning Board Theme:
“Children by choice, not by chance” Unprotected sex and by extension unplanned pregnancies lay the platform for a number of sexual and reproductive health issues and development concerns faced by the state. While one in two pregnancies is acknowledged to be ‘planned’1, the fact that many persons do not take into consideration all the necessary socioeconomic considerations when planning to bear children is a matter of concern. It is from that background that the National Family Planning Board has chosen as its theme for this year’s Family Planning Week, which will be observed October 21 through 27, Children by choice, not by chance. The theme resonates that the power of the individual to plan his or her family effectively in order to secure a future that is rewarding and beneficial to him or herself, the child, the family and by extension, the society is of utmost importance. Family Planning Saves Lives
Family planning saves women’s lives. Family planning could prevent as many as one in every three maternal deaths by allowing women to delay motherhood, space births, avoid unintended pregnancies and abortions, and stop childbearing when they have reached their desired family size. Family planning saves children’s lives. After giving birth, family planning can help women wait at least two years before trying to become pregnant again, thereby reducing newborn, infant, and child deaths significantly. Family planning saves adolescents’ lives. Teen pregnancies pose health risks not only for the babies but also for the young mothers, particularly those under age 18. Family planning can help young women avoid having children during this high-risk time and also avoid the social and economic consequences of early childbearing.
“Children by choice…” is the recognition that in planning the timing, spacing and number, with dual method use, one can also prevent unwanted/unplanned pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Infection, including HIV, acquisition. Contraceptive Efficacy Using the condom consistently and effectively ensures reproductive health and prevents the spreading and contraction of STIs including HIV. Dual Method Use (DMU) refers to the simultaneous protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies which represents an important public health intervention. It is the use of an effective primary method with the male or female condom as a secondary method. DMU protection and Abstinence are the most effective protective measures against unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Currently, only 19.7 per cent of women are using this method. Family planning vital for nation building Governments around the world are focused on alleviating poverty and achieving universal access to reproductive and sexual health. Jamaica’s National 1
Reproductive Health Survey 2008
Development Plan, Vision 2030, is the development roadmap to assist Jamaica in maintaining a healthy and stable population2. Family planning contributes directly to achieving these goals, including reducing poverty and hunger, promoting gender equity and empowering women, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, and ensuring environmental sustainability.3 Achievements:
The average number of children ever born to a woman (TFR) has decreased from 4.5 in 1975 to 2.4 in 2008 Contraceptive use among women in union 15-49 has increased from 61.1% in 2002 to 72.5% in 2008 1 in 2 pregnancies planned Adolescent birth rate has decreased from 137 (per 1000) in 1975 to 72 in 2008 1 in 5 women reported using the condom as a prevention method Increase in numbers and types of contraceptives (contraceptive mix). Access to information and services can prevent unintended pregnancies, especially for girls who need to stay in school. 2015 Goals:
Decreased Total Fertility Rate to 2.28 Decreased Unplanned Pregnancies to 38.3% Increased Contraceptive Prevalence Rate to 75% Decreased Unmet Need to 6.5% Decreased Age Specific Fertility Rate to 65 Projected Discontinuation Rate to 37.5% Increase of approximately 25% in Dual Method Use.
Over the last fifty years there has been increased access to reproductive health in Jamaica. More women and families are able to determine the number and spacing of the children they have. Hence, the need for National Family Planning Board (NFPB) continues preparing, coordinating and promoting the implementation of reproductive health services and family life education programmes, which aim to equip Jamaicans with the knowledge and guidance they need to determine the best reproductive choices. As noted by the NFPB’s Executive Director Dr. Olivia McDonald, “Supplies (Contraceptives) by themselves do not recruit acceptors” hence this year’s theme - Children by choice, not by chance - serves as a challenge to all Jamaicans, to be mindful that the society we create is the one we must live in. And so, failure to acquire family planning information, guidance and benefits will be to one’s detriment. The consequences of an unplanned pregnancy will be one that an individual, male or female, who fails to plan, will face for the rest of their life. Objectives Empower individuals to make better reproductive health choices Enhance and promote visibility of the Family Planning Programme Expand access to reproductive health information to adolescents in and out of school Strengthen collaboration with NGOs, CBOs and FBOs to situate health promotion at the community level Strengthen the capacity of persons of a reproductive age (15 – 49 years) to make informed reproductive health choices Promote self-efficacy and complementary roles of males through the availability and access to reproductive health information and services 2 3
Jamaica National Development Plan 2009 Return of the Population Growth Factor 2007
Concrete Outcomes ď‚” National awareness of family planning as a tool for national development, sexual and reproductive health rights and responsibilities and healthy lifestyle practices