High level discussions to concretize the partnership between UNFPA and IPPF continued on the second day amid excitement at the possibility of transforming the lives of Kenyans and Africans at large through family planning initiatives.
High level discussions to concretize the partnership between UNFPA and IPPF continued on the second day amid excitement at the possibility of transforming the lives of Kenyans and Africans at large through family planning initiatives.
The meeting was held on the second day at the Nairobi headquarter offices of Family Options of Kenya (FHOK), which is an affiliate of IPPF. In attendance were Senior Management officials from UNFPA East and Southern Africa Regional Office, UNFPA Kenya Country Office, IPPF Africa Regional Office and Family Health Options of Kenya (FHOK).
The accelerated program aims to both increase Sexual and Reproductive Health service delivery as well as to strengthen advocacy efforts to support increased political and financial priority for Family Planning in key countries in as short a timeframe as possible. Kenya is one of 13 priority countries identified globally for the implementation of this initiative. It is expected that UNFPA and IPPF will develop a joint work-plan to support in-country advocacy for Family Planning and the scale-up of Family Planning information and services.
Mr. Edward Marienga, FHOK's Executive Director, opened the discussions with a brief welcoming speech that was immediately followed by a visual presentation that showcased FHOK's myriad activities and impressive listing of transformational results, some of which have been duplicated in other African countries.
Two groups of the Senior Management teams were later formed to discuss and compile draft work-plans for the regional and country levels. Deliberations were centered on three main themes, namely:
- 1. Increased advocacy for contraceptive security
- 2. Increased demand for Family Planning information and services
- 3. Increased uptake of Family Planning information and services
- 4. Healthcare financing - Output Based Activities Voucher Initiative for marginalized populations
The expected outputs in the course of implementing the partnership, which are well articulated in UNFPA global Family planning strategy, include the following:
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1. Realizing enabled environments for human rights-based Family Planning as an integral part of sexual and reproductive health and rights.
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2. Increased demand for Family Planning according to a client's reproductive health intentions
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3. Improved availability and reliable supply of quality contraceptives
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4. Improved availability of good quality, human rights-based Family Planning services
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5. Strengthened information systems pertaining to Family Planning
Under this work plan, UNFPA Kenya intends to work closely with the Ministry of Health and FHOK to increase advocacy initiatives around family planning, access and uptake of contraceptives services and information by working with existing networks and alliances.
In the first phase of the implementation expected to roll out this year, the focus will be on demand creation intervention, strengthening of partnerships and innovative strategies all targeting the poor, the marginalized, under-served communities and in humanitarian crisis.
The collaboration between IPPF and UNFPA is expected to augment the Kenya Government's efforts towards attaining the MDG 5 (A and B) and the Kenya Health Sector Strategic Plan 2013/17 targets.
