By Iliya Kure
Pathfinder International has called on Family Planning Advocacy Groups in Nigeria to continue to spread the message, as well as sustain advocacy efforts that will lead the country meet its goals for family planning and maternal health.
“The major quality of a family planning advocate is to influence decision makers to allocate resources in the right direction for family planning, and for women’s health.” Country Director of Pathfinder International, Dr. Amina Aminu Dorayi said at a 3-Day Leadership and Management Retreat, organised in Abuja, for beneficiaries of Pathfinder International Advance Family Planning (AFP) Grants in Nigeria.
While praising the efforts of Advocacy Groups in working with relevant government agencies to secure the creation of budget lines for family planning in their respective states, Dr Dorayi tasked the retreat participants to be open and prepared to improve on their advocacy skills.
She called on the CSOs, Media and State Government partners in attendance to continue to build their skills in leadership and management for effective engagement.
Speaking on FP2030, Dr. Dorayi tasked the CSOs to fully participate in the process of developing Nigeria’s Plan, which should be all-inclusive, in-country document.
Participants of the retreat were drawn from 10 states comprising Kaduna, Kwara, Plateau, Nasarawa, Gombe, Lagos, Kano, Oyo, Ogun and Benue.
Pathfinder International has since 2015 implemented the AFP project which focused on building the capacity of local organisations to advocate for better funding and policy environment for family planning in Nigeria.