News Update
The last endline review of activities of The Challenge Initiative (TCI) in 2024 was held on Monday 16th December, 2024 in Osogbo, Osun State Capital.
The meeting which includes TCI, Health and Media representatives was held at Training Hall, DC Hotel, GRA, Osogbo to review the project’s progress and achievements, particularly Family Planning Uptake and Media Advocacy in the 10 local government areas of Osun State where TCI operates.
In a communique issued by the Communique Drafting Committee, Adesoji Omosebi and Oluwasegun Adegoke at the end of the meeting revealed that the meeting was also reviewed the challenges and lessons learned while carrying out the various tasks for Family Planning (FP) as outlined by the project coordinator.
However, the meeting was also centred on how to identify best practices and areas of improvement for better outcomes for FP uptake in the state.
The meeting was also serve as a platform for stakeholders to share their experiences and feedback, and to document the project’s impact as well as outcomes.
In his opening remark, Chairman of FP Media Advocacy Group, Mr Victor Adeoti lauded TCI and State FP Coordinator and the media for the good job done in advocacy for family planning in the state, which has seen an increase in uptake.
Media Advocacy Project and Impacts Recorded: TCI Manager’s presentation focused on demand generation for FP which drives uptake.
It highlighted media reporting and engagement as a critical tool in creating awareness and getting the buy-in of men (male involvement) in promoting FP.
It also highlighted that utilization of statistics in Family Planning reporting should be evidence based. It argued that a reliable source of data in reporting is critical for believability of the reports.
It analysed quarter by quarter FP reporting and found that there is an increase in quarter 4 compared to quarter 3, even though quarter 4 is still ongoing.
It urged Media Champions to scale up their FP advocacy reporting so as to increase awareness in the state.
Family Planning Situation in Osun State
Mrs Omolade Abatan (State Family Planning Coordinator) noted the goals of FP to include: having children by choice and not by chance; to ensure every pregnancy is wanted; to reduce the incidence of unplanned pregnancies; to reduce maternal morbidity and child mortality rate.
She pointed out the thematic areas of FP which includes: Service delivery, policy and advocacy, demand generation, logistics and supply, supportive supervision, monitoring and evaluation.
Experience Sharing:
Mrs Beatrice Iyanda (Health Promotion Officer, Osogbo LG): Appreciated TCI for grooming mobilizers, who go around spreading FP message in the state.
She advocated cordial and harmonious relationship between mobilizers and potential clients.
Mrs Roseline Akinlabi (Adolescent Health Desk Officer): Highlighted the need to include teenagers in FP programs and advocacy.
Mrs Bukola Oyelere harped on demand generation through the media which can help drive more FP uptake.
She urged more media engagement to drive success.
Observation: NDHS 2023-24 recorded that Osun has 7.3% teenagers who have ever been pregnant.
• Low male involvement in FP.
• Low reporting of FP Media activities in the state.
• Persistence of myths, religious and cultural barriers.
Recommendations:
•State procurement of FP commodities and consumables;
•Need to sponsor more FP programs
•Need to amplify the angle of maternal health to convince men to support FP
Participants lauded TCI’s intervention in Osun State, hoping that the successes already recorded and more media advocacy would help drive greater uptake of FP in the state.